How can we deepen our knowledge of communities and environment through research, art, and music?
Students will:
1. Understand the similarities and differences of the 3 geographical regions of North Carolina
2. Research an animal of the region
3. Explore folk music and visual art
4. Create a visual art piece that demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of NC regions and geographical relationship to their animal
Materials
Internet
Google Earth
Glogster
Encyclopedias
Paint
Paintbrushes
Wildlife magazines
Activities
Week 1
Media and Technology
1. Introduction to the regions of North Carolina http://mediamadness.edu.glogster.com/north-carolina-regions/
2. Google Earth Exlporation
3. Choose a region and print a 1 ½, ¼, and detail view
Art
1. Look at visual art print –Quilting/ North Carolina Folk Art
2. Students will paint background based on GoogleEarth photos as pertains to quilting
Music
Explore the webquest on Appalachian Mountain music http://webquests.rcoe.appstate.edu/messner_s02/Spring9/NC/Mountainmusicpage.html
Week 2
Media and Technology
1. Choose an animal from your region to research
2. Using encyclopedias and the Internet research your animal
Art
1. Discussion about what they have learned in media and technology
2. Sketch an outline of the animal
3. Fill animal shape with black tempera paint
Music
Explore the webquest on Appalachian Mountain music http://webquests.rcoe.appstate.edu/messner_s02/Spring9/NC/Mountainmusicpage.html
Week 3
Media and Technology
Continue on region and animal research
Art
1. Continue work on habitat quilt
2. Students will study various quilting techniques
3. Students will begin adding details/stitches to quilt background
Week 4
Media and Technology
1. Continue on region and animal research
2. Begin creating a photostory of their research
Art
1. Review of previous week’s work
2. Work on habitat details
Week 5
Discussion and Presentation of Research and Visual Art
Differentiation Approaches
Side coaching
Assessment
1. Rubric for research
2. Checklist for presentation
3. Weekly written assessment
4. Final project
5. Weekly observation
Follow Up and Extension Ideas
This unit could also be adapted any grade level study in science and social studies.
Additional Details
- Grade Level: Fourth
- Arts Content Area: Visual Arts
- Non-Arts Content Area: English Language Arts, Social Studies
