Christine A. Elmore
Materials: interactive whiteboard, digital copy of John Gast’s painting, “American Progress”, hard copy computer printouts of same painting, painting analysis activity worksheet
Objective: To look at an historical painting, identify and note details and ask questions that will lead to more observations and reflections.
Procedure:
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Begin by recalling from their study what happened to the Cherokee people whenever the settlers wanted more land. Write the terms, ‘manifest destiny’ and ‘westward expansion’ on the whiteboard.
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Before viewing the painting on the interactive whiteboard, explain to students that they are going to look at a painting where the artist has given his interpretation of manifest destiny and the effects it had on people.
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While students view the painting, ask the following three questions:
What is going on in this picture?
What do you see that makes you say that?
What more can you find?
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As the students respond, paraphrase their comments in a neutral manner, point to the areas being discussed and link and frame students comments to the historical context.
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After this initial examination distribute the painting analysis activity sheet that might look like this:
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People
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Objects
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Activities
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Ask the students, working in groups of three, to look once again but this time at the computer printout of the same painting and then list and describe the images and actions they see in the painting on this sheet.
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Instruct the small groups to come back together as a large group and share some of their observations. As they share ask them to make some inferences based on what they have observed.
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Ask the students to share their questions that have come to mind as a result of this analysis with the larger group. Record them on chart paper and as topics to research further.
