MOPA museum of pinney art
I Wonder….
State Standards
Perceiving/Knowing
In third grade, the students are exploring what it means to wonder. This lesson focused on a
3PE Use historical and cultural artworks
question. The students began this journey by looking at the work of several contemporary
to answer questions about daily life.
artists, as well watching a few clips of artists and their process. Seeing artists engage in the
artistic process, helped the students gain a better understanding of the non-linear, often
Producing/Performing
times messy creative process. The brainstorming part of this lesson was the most important
3PR Find and solve problems of personal
step. The students generated a list of questions that inspired them. From this list, they
relevance and interest when
selected a few to “try out.” They thought about how the questions they selected might
developing art making ideas.
inspire an artwork. What kind of artwork? What would it be about? How would they create
it? These questions became self-reflective as the students worked through their ideas.
Responding/Reflecting
Once they selected a question to explore further, they were ready to begin the art making
2RE Select an object an explain reasons
portion of the lesson. Each student, or group, was tasked with the challenge to create a
why they think it is a work of art.
piece of art connected in someway to their initial question. The students learned some new
techniques and skills along the way as well. At the midway point, they stopped to assess
where they were in the creative process. They asked peers for feedback and ideas to help
extend their thinking. Once they had some fresh ideas from new perspectives, they were
ready to put the finishing touches on. The last step, was to write a short artist statement
explaining what they created. This artist statement is a great way to help others get a
glimpse inside the head of the artist and also a great way to make the creativity and thinking
visible to others.