Unit 1 Fourth Grade VAPA Lesson

California Regional Mosaic or Freestyle Collage

http://www.fcusd.org/Page/13230

Essential Question: How do environmental features contribute to how things live?

Big Idea: Geographic features, climate, and weather in interact with one another to create an environment.

Background: Students have researched the major regional landforms of California. After viewing the Gooru collection, they have the opportunity to explore other map configurations and visual portrayals of California demographics. This activity encourages the interaction of positive and negative space to demonstrate contrast between the regions.

VAPA Standards: Develop visual Arts Vocabulary 1.1 Perceive and describe contrast and emphasis in works of art and in the environment. 1.2 Describe how negative shapes/forms and positive shapes/forms are used in a chosen work of art. Analyze Art Elements and Principles of Design 1.5 Describe and analyze the elements of art (color, shape/form, line, texture, space, value), emphasizing form, as they are used in works of art and found in the environment. Communication and Expression Through Original Works of Art 2.6 Use the interaction between positive and negative space expressively in a work of art. 2.7 Use contrast (light and dark) expressively in an original work of art 2.8 Use complementary colors in an original composition to show contrast and emphasis. Derive Meaning 4.3 Discuss how the subject and selection of media relate to the meaning or purpose of a work of art. Visual Literacy 5.3 Construct diagrams, maps, graphs, timelines, and ilustrations to communicate ideas or tell a story about a historical event.

Lesson Objective: After viewing regional maps of California, students will compose a regional mosaic or freestyle collage using strips of construction paper or magazines that best represent their chosen color hues.

Materials: Template Map of California (or 12 X 18 white paper for freehand) Colored construction paper or old magazines Scissors, Glue

Procedure: Option A: California Regional Mosaic 1. Begin with viewing the gooru collection, and research additional types of regional maps of California. Note the color choices of the maps depicted. Depending on the type of map, colors indicate topography, counties, climate, population, agricultural use, political voting boundaries.

https://www.google.com/search?q=california+regions+map&espv=2&biw=1040&bih=626&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CBwQsARqFQoTCI7e_vmy98YCFYSiiAodfL0GOA#q=california+4+regions+map&tbs=sur:fm&tbm=isch

Distribute the map template of California. (see Appendix) http://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib03/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/2407/CA%20outline%20pdf.pdf

2. Using a ruler, draw the state boundaries OR provide student with a template of California to trace.

Use relative positioning to draw the squiggly boundaries between the straight edges.

From the furthermost southeastern tip of California, use a straightedge to spot Santa Barbara’s location. From the southern border, students can eyeball the inward curves of the coastline as it reaches out toward Santa Barbara.

For the coastline, it helps to use a ruler to mark major points, such as S.F. Bay Area, to keep the squiggly edges of the Central Coastline realistically proportional. From there, it’s a hop, skip, and a jump to the Oregon Border to seal the outline edges of the state.

3. Cut apart ½” strips of regional California colors from construction paper. Stack and cut many strips to make 5 tiles at a time.

Fill open large negative spaces with halved and notched square tiles.

4. Title the map, and provide a tile color legend for each region.

OPTION 2: Free-Style Collage 1. After viewing the color schemes from the variety of map styles, choose a design that best represents California. 2. On black construction paper, draw the outline of California. Use a ruler when possible for the state line divisions. 3. Cut, rip, and overlap magazine scraps. It’s enjoyable to find images that represent that location in California, if possible. For example, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge for ’s Peninsula, or agricultural products for the Central Valley. The towering redwood trees embrace the coastline, as the the Ponderosa Pines do .

4. Glue the collage into place in the most aesthetically pleasing way. Use the color wheel to find effective color combinations.

http://www.fcusd.org/Page/13230

Closure/Discussion: 1. Which option did you choose? Explain why you chose a map mosaic or a freestyle collage? 2. How did you arrange light/dark or complementary colors for the deepest contrast? 3. Which regions of California are the largest, comprise the greatest surface area? If you were to stretch out the mountain ranges flat, would the other regions be larger or smaller? 4. Where do you live?

Assessment: Score 4: Freestyle collage contains images that typify the region of the collage.

Score 3: Accurate scale and proportion of the selected regional areas of California. Map legend provided to indicate the meaning of the colors and proportional regions. Use of positive/negative space and/or light/dark complementary colors is clearly evident.

Score 2: Limited regions noted for the scale of the map and its proportion to other regions is skewed.

Score 1: Unclear boundaries make this state difficult to identify.

Appendix:

http://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib03/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/2407/CA%20outline%20pdf.pdf

Optional Activity:

http://www.rcsd.k12.ca.us/Page/4209

Using cardboard and clay or saltdough, create a topographical map of the regions of California. Pencil indentations work well for desert texture. Build up the mountains with finger presses and pulls. Smooth and flatten the Central Valley with water and a 50/50 mixture of clay/water to make “slip”. Finger press the coastline to develop the continental shelf. Note that the ocean levels were once higher, and their recession has left fertile agricultural land up and down the CA coastline.

http://www.37stars.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/img_2773.jpg