Ms. Wallace connects to what they're learning in art to what they're learning in history class which is first nations. She teaches the elements of design with art that was seen in the first nations; describing the color, line, space, shape, etc. These are the elements of design. The idea of symbolism can be brought over to the students own artwork being that they could make red represent something or a certain line can represent something. Using both symbolism and and elements of design leads the students to understand that everything in art, what the artists does, every line, color, etc, has meaning behind it and a reason it was chosen.

Great lesson plan that makes connections with other subject areas. I love the color theory and the thought process the students go through when creating their pieces. I can also easily adapt this project for my elementary age students. We study Native American cultures in 3rd grade and this would be a fun project to implement those connections with.

Love this lesson! I have read that many First Nation Artists did not use borders until it was taught at schools. Before that time, images went from edge to edge, and often would run off the edge, without a border expressing freedom of space and interconnectedness with nature.

Wow...just found this in researching first nations artwork, and was blown away by how well done things were. How do we get in contact with Ms. Wallace.... would love to talk and share other ideas ???

Good connections throughout lesson, but would love to see actual painting techniques added to lesson...the students seem ready to take their art skills to another level instead of the typical elementary art lesson that is more about the principals of art/design.