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Lesson 3: African Caly Tile Project

(Students will study and talk about African culture and daily life. They will then create a clay tile that compares their every day life with those living in Africa.)

Lesson Procedure with Time Line:

Day 1: I will show a film, which details the every day life of an African boy. Students will write notes during the film considering the question of what things does the boy in the film do that you here in America do not do. Following the film the class will discuss their answers to this question.

Day 2: I will discuss with the class things they know about African life and present new information on this topic. I will tell the class about the project, they will be creating caly tiles that compare their lives with African life. I will also talk about the African art form of the hand woven Kente cloth. In their tiles they will include two borders, one of the symbolically meaningful Kente cloth and the other of a visual symbol of their culture. Students will draw plans for their project for the remainder of the class time.

Day 3: I will present information on working with clay, and students will start their projects.

Day 4: Work Day

Day 5: Work Day - Finish project

Day 6: Glaze projects.

Day 7: Finish glazing projects.

Motivations:

Students will have a chance to express how their lives compare to those who live in Africa.

Students will have an opportunity to create a clay tile of their own design.

Students can compare their ideas to others.

Goals and Objectives:

Students will learn more about African life and culture.

Students will learn how to use clay tools and glazes.

Students will consider how their lives are different from those in other cultures.

Materials List:

Pencils, paper, clay, clay tools, glazes

Preparation:

Reserve a movie about African life.

Check out books, which show examples of African art and life.

Demonstrate techniques of working with clay.

Adaptations for Disabled:

Make written directions to help remind students of the steps of the lesson.

Associates and myself will assist lower ability kids with problems as they encounter them.

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated based on the following criteria: attitude and effort, use of the elements of art and design, consideration of African life in the design of project, creativity and originality, technical skills, clean-up, and planning of the project.