Art is a way of communicating ideas and emotions through the use of materials such as paint or clay. It can include a wide variety of different forms, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and music. Throughout history, people have tried to define art in many different ways.
1. Define art as something that is beautiful and creative (or else it wouldn’t be called art)
When we think of art, we often imagine paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. These are some of the most common things that we consider to be art, but it is important to realize that there are a lot of other kinds of artworks out there.
2. Explore the meaning of art with your students
When you are teaching about art in the classroom, it is important to find different ways to get your students to think about what it means to make art. One of the best ways to do this is by using hands-on activities that encourage students to think about what they are looking at.
For example, you can ask your students to create a picture on a piece of paper that is as large or as small as they want. Then you can draw around their drawing to see how they are able to show what they want to say through their art.
3. Look at the composition of your art
You can help your students analyze their work by comparing it to other pieces of art that they have seen before. This will help them understand what it means to be an artist and how they can achieve their goals through their artwork.
4. Take a field trip and see some of the art in your area
If you live in the Chicago area, you are likely to be surrounded by beautiful artworks. You can go to a museum and see some of the works of art that are available for you to view, or you can take your class on a tour of local galleries to check out all the art that is available.
5. Compare and contrast your artworks
Having students analyze their works of art can be a great way to help them understand what they are looking at and why it is important to them. You can do this by asking them to compare a sculpture to a painting or another type of art that they have already studied. You can also have them create a comparison chart to keep their thoughts organized and separate.
6. Talk about the story behind the artwork
Using your favorite works of art can be a great way for your students to learn about the stories that are told in different times and places. For instance, you can discuss the story behind the Washington Crossing the Delaware picture. You can also talk about how the slit gong from the Museum’s Oceanic collection is able to communicate a message about the power of water.