Lee & Betty Benson

Concept drawing of Anchor in the Storm
by Lee & Betty Benson

“Our piece is conceived on the ties between the West Park neighborhood and theRogers Group, Inc. REOStoneLimestone Quarry; we see the two inextricably linked by the millennial flood that occurred in May, 2010.” -Lee & Betty Benson

Starter Questions:
What could the rock symbolize in this piece?
Why would a raft be tied to a rock?
How does the environment impact the art?
How does the art impact the environment?

*Discussion questions can be done in a whole group setting or in small groups of 2 or 3 students.  You know your students and the dynamic of your classroom.  Both methods of discussion have value.

Writing Component:
After displaying the image, ask students to write 2 or 3 sentences describing their initial response to the art work.  Questions to lead them in their writing:  What do you think this piece of art is about?  What leads you to believe that is the meaning of the piece?  Why do you/don’t you like this work of art?

*Allowing for writing in the art room allows for all students to develop their ideas on art beyond giving a select few the opportunity to share their thoughts in class.  Having word banks/word walls for students to pull from will take some of the fear out of writing.

Studio Project(s):
(Studio projects would take place after students have the background knowledge of Lee & Betty Benson and their work.)

Lesson 1:  What Floats My Boat?
Media:  Drawing (K-5th)

Students will:
·         Look at examples of waterscapes and discuss the important elements.
·         (2nd-5th only)  Discuss things in their life that help them get through tough/scary times, and generate a list.
·         (K-1st) Create a waterscape with a boat.
·         (2nd-5th) Create a waterscape with a boat that incorporates the words from the created list.  The words can be placed in the water, make up the body of the boat, or the sail. 
·         Use teacher’s choice of media to complete work (crayons, markers, colored pencils..etc)


Lesson 2:  Rough Seas
Media:  Mixed Media (Painting/Collage) ( K-5th)

Students will
·         Discuss mad, angry, confusion, and other emotions as they relate to color and art.
·         Draw a stormy waterscape using the markings discussed to display their chosen emotion. 
·         Paint their waterscape using the colors discussed  to display their chosen emotion.
·         Create a collage boat to place into their art work.
·         (2nd-5th) Write about their mixed media work the emotion they shared.  Students will focus on describing the colors and line quality and how they represent the selection emotion.



Lesson 3:  3-D Raft of Me
Media:  Sculpture (2nd-5th)

Students will:
·         Discuss 3-D art and why artists would chose to work in 3-D rather than 2-D.
·         Discuss what it means to believe in one’s self, and generate a list of attributes they value in themselves and others.
·         Create a 3-D raft and sail using construction paper. 
·         Incorporate the words they feel best reflect their positive qualities onto the raft & sail.










No comments:

Post a Comment