Crossing Borders/Breaking Boundaries 2000

A Multidisciplinary Institute for Arts Educators

 

   

  Rituals and Traditions

Teacher: Gloria Shelton, DuVal High School (contact Gloria)
Arts Discipline: Visual Arts
Grade Level: High School
Team: D
Topic: Africa & Its Influence

Click here to view the lesson plans of other Team D members.

Unit Overview

Essential Understandings:

  • African culture encompasses many rituals and traditions that are pervasive in their society.
  • Traditions are based on the concept of repetition over time.
  • Repetition is apparent in African art, music, theater, and dance.
  • African culture has influenced western society with the concept of repetition in western art, music, theater, and dance.


Learner Outcomes and Expectations:

  • Students will identify the presence of repetition in art, music, theater, and dance.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the influence of African culture on western culture.
  • Students will create visual art, music, stories, and dance that reflect African rituals and traditions.


Essential Questions:

  • What is the role of rituals/traditions in African society?
  • What influence has rituals/traditions of African arts had on Western society?
  • How does repetition demonstrate this influence?
  • What makes rituals/traditions timeless?
Assessment:
  • Students should be able to explain the influence of African art forms on western culture.
  • Students should be able to state the role of repetition in various art forms, and to distinguish examples of repetition in their own surroundings.
  • Students should be able to create art/music/dance/theater that is based on African rituals and traditions, and demonstrates an understanding of its context.


Rationale

This unit will enable students to understand the role of the arts in the TRADITIONS AND RITUALS in African society and culture.  they will see and hear that repetition plays an important role in society.  Students will understand that even though Africa is a vast continent, it is possible to focus on one area to explain the traditions of the people without generalizing about the entire continent.

Students will explore the interrelationships of the Arts in Africa and how they have influenced western cultures.  They will see that the role of the visual arts, music and story telling are timeless in understanding Africa and its influence.
 

Visual Arts Lesson Plan

Rationale:
As we study the rituals and traditions of African nations, students will see how some of the traditions have influenced western culture and fabric design specifically.  While it is impossible to study all rituals and traditions we have chosen repetition of patterns, colors and textures to show how some people in Western Africa used repetition in creating a cloth called Kente.

Objectives:

Students will learn to use a variety of patterns and textures to weave in the Kente Cloth style of the Ashante Nation in Ghana, West Africa.
Students will understand the traditions and rituals associated with the making and wearing of Kente Cloth

Warm Up:
Students will write a journal entry, telling how they think repetition can be used in weaving fabric.

Vocabulary:
Kente Cloth            Pattern            Ashante            Traditions            Texture            Weaving            Rituals

Materials:
Yarn            Feathers            Ribbons            Fabric            Beads            Fabric Glue            Cardboard
Plus whatever the students wish to add.

Procedures:
Teacher will explain rationale and objectives to students.
Teacher will demonstrate making a weaving tool (Select a piece of cardboard and make cuts in each short end)
Teacher will demonstrate a weaving technique based on the available materials

Students will be encouraged to use a variety of materials to weave a cloth that has meaning for them.  They may use particular fabrics or colors or textures to make a statement about a tradition that is unique for them.

Guided Practice:
Teacher will instruct students on the individual steps in creating their special cloth.

Independent Practice:
Students will work individually or with a partner to share materials.

Assessment is continuous as teacher helps students as needed.

Final Assessment and Closure:  Students will tell us the significance of their cloth.  We will do group critiques; students' work will be graded and displayed.

 

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Sponsored by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, The Center for Renaissance and Baroque Studies, and the Maryland State Department of Education.

 

We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Last updated 25 April 2001