1. Art Investigations: Example Images with Big Ideas and Sample Questions

2. Art Investigations address: Art Criticism (looking at and respond to art with the goal of developing understanding) Art history (context and story) Aesthetics (evaluation/informed judgment) Ideas (what can we learn from this image)

3. Big Ideas: – Are broad and relate to the human condition – Are issues that transcend time and cross cultures Essential Questions: – break down the big idea and can be addressed across multiple curricular areas and would be of interest to children Questions about the images: – Are in addition to the questions you ask with art criticism – Are open-ended thinking questions that help students make connections between the work of art and the big idea. What are:

4. ‘Christina’s World’ 1948 Andrew Wyeth Artstor.org Questions for the image related to the big idea: How did he arrange this painting to help us gain insight in to her life? Why did Wyeth name this painting ‘Christina’s World’ How would you feel if you were in this situation? Big Idea: Understanding Differences Essential Question: What is it like to need a wheelchair?

5. Henry Tanner The Banjo Lesson 1893 Artstor.org Big Idea: “we are all the same” Emotions, compassion, and relationships.

6. Making Tamales Carmen Lomas Garza 1987 Artstor.org Big Idea: Families; Traditions

7. Norman Rockwell ‘The Problem We All Live With’ 1963 nrm.org Big Idea: Social Conflict and Freedom

8. Faith Ringgold ‘Sunflowers at Arles’ 1991 Artstor.org Big Idea: Identity and what makes you what you are today. Recognizing individuals who made a big impact on your life.

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkiNfHPaZvM Self-Portrait as Revealed by Trash 2008 By Tim Gaudreau Big Idea: being conscious of the environment & how much trash we throw away.

10. More example images with a big idea, essential question and questions about the image but not shared in class.

11. Snap the Whip 1872 Winslow Homer Artstor.org Big Idea: Childhood Games Essential Question: How did children play a long time ago? Questions related to the image and the B.I.: How is the way these children are playing the same/different than the way you play? Why?

12. Joseph Turner ‘Rain, Steam and Speed’ before 1844 artstor.org Theme: Weather Essential Question: What are the different types of weather? Questions related to the image and theme: What do you think you would hear, smell, feel if you were in this picture? How does the weather shown in a painting affect how we respond to it?

13. Hermitage at Pointoise Camille Pissarro c.1867 Artstor.org Theme: Learning about Lives of the Past Essential Question: What was life like a long time ago? Questions related to the image and big idea: What do you think it would be like to live at the time of this painting? What things would be better/worse than life today? Why is our lifestyle so different now?

14. Weeping Woman Pablo Picasso 1937 artquotes.net Big Idea: Emotions Essential Question: What are the emotions we all feel? Questions related to image: Why would an artist create a painting about someone crying? What do you think Picasso wanted you to think or feel when viewing this painting? Should art be comfortable to look at?