DESCRIPTION: By providing parts of speech to the color, line, shape, pattern and texture of one or more abstract works of art, and combining them into sentences, students learn the meaning of artworks.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is for students to use their imagination and analyze the relationship of a variety of elements to discover meaning in artworks.

PROCEDURE: (Choose a work of art in the galleries.) Let's look at the colors and list things that they remind us of. These are nouns. Now let's choose words that describe the different qualities of the color used. These are adjectives. Next, let's list words that would describe what the color does. These are verbs. Last, let's list some words that would describe how the color would move. These are adverbs.

(Have each student choose one word from each list and combine into a sentence about each element. Each student should read their sentence. Compare the different sentences.)

(Do the same activity 3-4 times during the tour focusing on a new element such as line texture, shape or pattern.)

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

Age level: Appropriate for all ages.
Artworks used: Use any abstract painting or sculpture.
Props needed: Paper and pencils.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Yes
Notes: Good activity for teachers that request a language activity.


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER