ARTS INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
So far this year a comprehensive curriculum has been developed that will accompany high resolution posters of the mural Fertile Ground for classroom use. The curriculum includes discussion questions and covers such topics as About the Artist, About the Site, Medium and Process, Vocabulary, Content and Interpretation, and Interdisciplinary Connections. The poster curriculum is intended to give teachers and individuals the general tools they need to understand, discuss and incorporate the mural into their existing educational framework.
Development of six in-depth lesson plans has also begun. Within the framework of Fertile Ground as Community Narrative three units of curriculum including two detailed lesson plans each will focus on 1) The people who make up the community and their actions 2) The environment in which a community exists and 3) Presentation of narrative to the community. Units will not only address topics of art and art history within this context but also core subjects and disciplines such as language arts, history, civic engagement, philanthropy, research, archiving, geography, biology, architecture, chemistry, math, ecology, and stewardship…just to name a few.
An extensive video interview with Meg Saligman was conducted in 2009 capturing the artist’s personal perspective on her development, research and creative process. One introductory 10-minute video has been edited to illuminate the question, What does it take to create a 32,500 sq ft mural? In coming months the additional interview footage will be edited into brief topical chapters that will supplement and enrich the printed curriculum resources.
Preliminary expansion of the Fertile Ground website has begun as well. As development continues into 2010 the site will continue to transform into the dynamic central point of access for all curriculum resources. The site will feature downloadable classroom curriculum, activity guides and images, additional project information, archives of the mural process, links to supporting materials and websites, streaming video of the Meg Saligman interviews and project time-lapse, and the site will serve as a point of communication between classrooms and community groups while archiving workshops, forums, citywide programming and testimonials. All resources will be adaptable for students in K-12th grades, community organizations, organizations serving diverse populations and communities at-risk, and the general public. Curriculum materials will be free and available to the public.
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