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 Click for larger imageExercise: Social Studies/Visual Art
Objectives and Overview
The objective of this exercise is for each student to imagine him or herself in the scene of this painting and to compose a letter written to a friend or family member describing his or her experience. Students will then illustrate their letters with original images; similar to what artist Albert Bierstadt may have done on his journey. *To modify this exercise, ask students to journal their adventures during a course of study on Westward Expansion.
Materials
Transparency or color copy of Emigrants Crossing the Plains
Paper or notebooks
Pencils
Colored pencils, markers, crayons, and/or oil pastels
Project Procedure
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Begin this exercise by distributing paper and pencils to the students and showing the class a transparency or color copy of Emigrants Crossing the Plains. Ask the following questions. Students should think about their individual answers to these questions and write them down on their paper.
- Imagine you can walk into this painting and become part of the scene. Are you the one riding in the wagon or herding the cattle? Or are you somewhere else? What are you doing?
- Where did you come from? Where are you going?
- Describe what you hear, see, smell, and feel.
- What is the weather like? Are you hot or cold? Is it sunny or raining?
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Using their answers to the questions listed above and/or their imaginations ask students to write a letter on a separate piece of paper to a friend or family member, describing their experience.
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Distribute colored pencils, markers, crayons, and/or oil pastels to students.
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Working from their observations, memories, or imaginations, have students create sketches illustrating the adventures and encounters described in their letters. Students can make pencil drawings that may be colored with other drawing media, or they can work directly with colored pencils, markers, crayons, or oil pastels.
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*Modification: During the course of study on territorial exploration, expansion, and the settlement of the United States, have students create a journal that combines their answers to the questions listed above with their interpretation and understanding of Westward Expansion.
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