Lucy Augustine Smyser School 7 th Grade Social Studies and Language Arts Apotheosis of George Washington Terra Teacher Lab

Sacred to the Memory of Washington, 1802 Unidentified Chinese artist After John James Barralet Oil on glass Terra Foundation for American Art

Key Ideas about the artwork that informed the lesson:  Civic virtues and democratic values  Responsibilities of a citizen  Classical imagery Symbolism  Washington as the most venerated figure in American history

What I wanted students to learn:  Symbols may represent ideas  Paintings tell stories and can be read  Artists use color, light, and lines to direct your focus  What an apotheosis is  What an allegory is Art shapes and reflects history, society and everyday life To appreciate American art

A few major learning activities: Identify and define the rights and responsibilities of citizenship Generate a definition of civic virtue Research common symbols and identify what  they represent  Analyze, interpret, and research John James Barralet and the painting the Apotheosis of George Washington  Write a poem about George Washington that highlights his qualities, virtues, and traits  Generate a “top ten” list of American heroes

What my students learned:  Symbols represent ideas  Paintings tell stories  Art reflects society’s beliefs  George Washington was respected and venerated by the populace

What I learned  How to conduct a “Close read” of a work of art  Art reflects the feelings and beliefs of society  Art enhances and enriches the academic curriculum  All artworks tell a story