Lesson Overview:
Students will research the various fine and performing art forms popular during the Gilded Age. Students will choose one of the art forms and create a studio project that is relevant to the mansion they studied in Three Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age. The finished project will be exhibited and/or performed for the class.
Length of Lesson:
Seven 45-minute periods
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- research fine and performing art forms of the Gilded Age.
- demonstrate understanding of the historical influences and context of each art form during the Gilded Age.
- research and present a creative piece, with an accompanying written narrative, on a chosen art form or specific artist.
Supplies:
- Computers with Internet access
- Media center or library reference materials, videos, CDs, etc.
- Costumes or scenery
- Drawing and painting materials
- Musical instruments or CD players
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up and Review
Review and discuss with students their final projects from the previous lesson. You may wish to re-distribute the Characteristics of a Gilded Age Mansion handout. Assess students' understanding of the layout and room functionalities in a typical Gilded Age mansion.
Direct Instruction
Begin with a discussion of various arts forms and venues. List the following categories on a chart paper or a large dry-erase board: Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Dance, Theater, Creative Writing, and Visual Arts. Ask for a student volunteer to record answers. Engage class in discussion about types of dances, theatrical productions, musical styles, visual arts styles, etc. Have the student recorder list their responses on the chart or board. Students should decide if each venue or art form existed before, during, or after the Gilded Age. Have students devise a code for these categorizations, such as (+ after/-before/0 during) or (B before/D during/ A after).
Distribute the Arts Vocabulary handout. Have students break into the same groups in which they worked during Three Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age. Explain to the class that each student in each group will research the five categories of art forms and corresponding venues, with respect to the mansion they studied previously.
Using the Reference Guide handout as a starting point, have each student find an art form they would prefer to research. Allow some time for students to complete their initial research. Walk around offering suggestions and feedback. Keep in mind that some students may need assistance with deciding which art form to research and pursue as a final project. Students should write a brief description of the art form they researched. Tell students that they will now independently work to create a studio project/creative piece (i.e. song, creative writing, dance, play or dramatic reading, drawing, etc.) using the characteristics of their chosen art form. Students must also place the piece within the setting of the mansion they previously studied.
Independent Study
Students will continue to research the art form they have chosen. Each student is also responsible for writing a short piece, comparing and contrasting the the art form or artist they researched with another art form or artist from the Gilded Age. This written piece should include an assessment of how the historical time period (the Gilded Age) influenced the art form. Students should include in this written presentation information about where their creative piece would be performed or displayed in the mansion about which they previously studied. You may wish to have students pair up and do this assignment with another person from their group.
Conclusion
Each student will perform or present their completed creative piece, or studio project, and present their compare and contrast written piece. Have students ask questions and make constructive comments on each presentation and its justification. Remind student of the ideal atmosphere for a critique. (You may wish to refer to ARTSEDGE's
How to Write a Successful Critique.) Students should keep notes in their journal on each piece presented, as they will have a culminating project at the end of this unit that will touch on each piece.
Journal Project and Class Discussion
Ask the students to review all the work completed thus far with this unit. Compare and contrast the style and imagery of their creative pieces with what they know and understand about the Gilded Age. How do creative pieces from the Gilded Age differ from creative pieces in the same art forms in the present era?
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to evaluate students' understanding and the successful completion of their projects.
Sources:
Print:
- Ashelford, J. The Art of Dress, Clothes and Society 1500-1914. New York Harry Abrams, 1996.
- Goven, T. The Barons of Newport. Rhode Island, Pineapple Publications, 1998.
Web:
Authors:
-
Joyce Payne, Arts Education Consultant
West Barnstable, MA
