Echo of the Eye - Japanese artist Keiji Shinohara

For Grades: 2-12.

SCIENCE AND MATH

Project: Floating Pi.

Key Skill: Exploring the unique properties of circles.

Materials: Geometry and science books.

Procedure: The pattern of ripples is a series of concentric circles. Explore the mathematical, geometric and earth-science implications. How do ripples compare to sound waves? One could also explore the cyclical nature of things.

For Grades: 2-12.

NATURAL SCIENCE

Project: They're So Vein!

Key Skill: Exploring the unique properties of leaves.

Materials: Internet, encyclopedias and science books.

Procedure: Leaves are fascinating. Shinohara depicts a simple leaf, possibly from a type of maple. It might be described scientifically as "palmate" and `trifoliate.' Have students collect, identify and categorize types of leaves. Younger students can identify the trees they came from. Older students might learn why certain trees living in certain climates form the leaves as they do.

For Grades: 2-12.

VISUAL ART

Project: Get Them Published!

Key Skill: Extrapolating from one work of art into a series of multiples.

Materials: Various painting and printmaking media.

Procedure: It's back to school, and this is a great time to plan an extravagant year-long lesson! Have students begin with a single painting or drawing, and use that piece for the basis of a series of prints. By the end of the year, students will have explored a subject or image in depth and will have translated those artistic concepts into a variety of media.

For Grades: 4-12.

LANGUAGE

Project: Leaf it to Us!

Key Skill: Exploring the different meanings of the word "leaf" or other tree-based expressions.

Materials: Dictionary, word of mouth.

Procedure: The word, "leaf" can be a noun or a verb. Have students broaden their vocabularies by developing sentences using "leaf" in unusual ways. For older students, have them identify as many expressions as possible that reference tree parts: "the root of all evil'; "branching out"; "the apple doesn't fall fur from the tree"; "turn over a new leaf"; and so on.

For Grades: 4-12.

ART AND RELIGION

Project: What's in a Garden?

Key Skill: Understanding rock gardens.

Materials: Books and Internet sites about Zen and rock gardens.

Procedure: If Shinohara's leaves were stones, they might look a little like the rocks in a Zen rock garden. While living in Kyoto, Shinohora visited Ryoonji Temple, perhaps the most famous Zen rock garden in the world. Explore similarities in the imagery and possible philosophical connections between the two art forms, also in light of how Shinohara likens carving to meditation.

For Grades: 2-12.

Tara Cady Sartorius is Curator of Education at the Montgomery (Ala.) Museum of Fine Arts. Prior to receiving her master's degree in sculpture and art criticism, she taught art for 10 years in public elementary schools in California.

Parts of this article are based on research by Irja J. Thurlow, Associate Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. The author gratefully acknowledges Ms. Thurlow's contributions.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group