DESCRIPTION: Students identify basic shapes in art. When one shape is found, it should lead them to other identifiable shapes in the artwork.

OBJECTIVES: Students should locate and identify different basic shapes (circles, squares, triangles and rectangles) as they experience the museum. The activity is also intended to encourage closer looking.

PROCEDURE: I was talking to a friend who said that he looked at all of the art in the Walker Art Center and he could not find a circle. I don't think he looked very hard. Let's go on a hunt for circles. When you see a circle in a painting or sculpture, let's stop and discuss it. How many circles are there? Are the circles big or little? Are there any other shapes in the piece? Squares? Triangles? Rectangles? Squares and rectangles always have four sides and triangles always have three sides. How is a rectangle different from a square? Another friend told me there weren't any triangles here. Do you think she was right? (Continue to hunt for triangles).

MINNESOTA GRADUATION STANDARDS:
(1) Read, View, Listen
(2) Write and Speak
(3) Literature and the Arts

Age level: Appropriate for ages K-2.
Artworks used: Paintings or sculptures that contain easily identifiable basic shapes.
Props needed: No props needed.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Yes


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER