Westward Expansion Mural: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Thinking

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Benton, T. (1947). Achelous and Hercules. Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1985.2

Model Lesson

Understanding Goal

Perception is built by knowledge and experiences.

Investigative Question

How are humans interdependent with nature?

Introduction: Looking and Reflecting

1. Look closely at this mural.Mural from Smithsonian American Art Museum

• What do you see?• What’s happening here?• What questions do you have?

• Write down something that strikes you about this mural.

Introduction: Looking and Reflecting

Step 2: Reflect

• How do your answers reflect your own knowledge and experience?

Investigation: Choose an Exploration

Artist

1: Shape 2: Line 3: Color

Author

1: America 2: Paul Bunyon 3: Achelous the Beautiful and Hercules

Social Scientist

1: Logging 2: Sioux Indians 3: Millions of Acres

Scientist

1: Flood 2: Boulder Dam 3: Plantation

Share your Exploration

• Share your exploration and resource.

• Describe the new things that you saw in the mural after your exploration.

Formal Assessment:

• Discuss: What message could this mural express about human interdependence with nature? What makes you say that?

• Reflect: What questions do you have now?

• What did you learn about yourself through this activity?

Benton, T. (1947). Achelous and Hercules. Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1985.2

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