1. Westward Expansion Mural: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Thinking To view the entire Learning Experience go to: http://www.primarysourcelearning.org/db/LE/display.php?p=Overview&k=5245 Benton, T. (1947). Achelous and Hercules. Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1985.2Achelous and Hercules

2. Model Lesson Understanding Goal Perception is built by knowledge and experiences.

3. Investigative Question How are humans interdependent with nature?

4. Introduction: Looking and Reflecting 1.Look closely at this mural. Mural from Smithsonian American Art Museum What do you see? What’s happening here? What questions do you have? Write down something that strikes you about this mural.

5. Introduction: Looking and Reflecting Step 2: Reflect How do your answers reflect your own knowledge and experience?

6. Investigation: Choose an Exploration Artist 1: Shape 2: Line 3: Color Author 1: America 2: Paul Bunyon 3: Achelous the Beautiful and Hercules Social Scientist 1: Logging 2: Sioux Indians 3: Millions of Acres Scientist 1: Flood 2: Boulder Dam 3: Plantation

7. Share your Exploration Share your exploration and resource. Describe the new things that you saw in the mural after your exploration.

8. Formal Assessment: Discuss: What message could this mural express about human interdependence with nature? What makes you say that? Reflect: What questions do you have now? What did you learn about yourself through this activity? Benton, T. (1947). Achelous and Hercules. Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1985.2Achelous and Hercules

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