Frozen Nuts and Other Things: Culture and Communications, Our Studies in 10th Grade

Streets of Ketchikan by Prescott M. M. Jones

Items to cover (10th Grade) for Culture and Communications:

Interview community members and conducts research to gather oral and written history information about 3 or more significant events in their local community
Presents summaries of interviews and research findings with a focus on the variety of different perspectives and interpretations of these significant events in the local history of the community
See note below.Describes the role of individuals and groups from indigenous cultures in actively proposing and promoting federal legislation and policies, including Alaska Native and other indigenous cultures
Chooses an element of culture to study in depth (language, traditions, celebrations, family structure, belief systems, etc.) Researches and prepares a report on findings.
See note below. Analyzes federal policies and legislation that recognized civil rights for indigenous peoples including Alaska Native and other indigenous cultures
Explains how artists can communicate values and important themes in their artwork (about belief systems,war, peace, justice, etc)
Appreciates the arts in 3 or more ways, including practicing their skills as an audience member (listening, providing positive feedback, etc.); participating in one or more forms of art (dance, music, theater, or visual arts); studying Alaskan artwork and learning artistic techniques from one or more artists.

(this link will take you to the page to buy this print or others by Rie Munoz)

Steps and Materials Used to Meet Goals of Culture & Communication:
For Number 1 and 2 (above). Interview community members

Select 3 significant events from local area to research. (Some possible topics: Building the Pipeline, Flood in Fairbanks in 1967, Building road roundabouts in North Pole, Arrival of big chain box stores, Changes in road system.)
Interview at least 3 individuals for each topic and do research on the topics.
Write a paper that summarizes the interviews and research findings with a focus on the variety of different perspectives and interpretations of these significant events in the local history of the community.
Optional: Present paper orally.

For Numbers 3 and 5 (above)

For Number 4 (above) Research an element of culture

After selecting an element of culture (language, traditions, celebrations, family structure, belief systems, etc) research and write a 3 page report (typed, double spaced)

For Number 6 (above) Themes in artwork

Watch videos on themes in artwork (Art Through Time, a Global View), 13 themes with videos of each about 30 minutes each. Each lesson has a guide and downloadable text with images of artwork. Use the questions in each guide to discuss the videos. The guide (with questions) and texts are found here. There is nudity in some of the paintings.

For Number 7 (above) Practice skill as an audience member

Watch a performance of a play,or movie based on a book with other family members. Possible choices: Les Miserables (Broadway version), Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, a scene from Cyrano de Bergerac. Or attend a live performance, if available in your area.

For Number 7 (above) Participate in art.
Select at least one from the list below. Our family will be doing all of the list.

Perform a monologue. Select one from this site.
Learn popular and folk songs of the 1800s. Listen to the songs on the list (one per week) and learn lyrics to several that inspire you. I will add to these as I find links for them.

Practice musical instrument(s).
Complete lessons in Artistic Pursuits High School book 1: Elements of Art and Composition (purchase book)
Practice photography

For Number 7 (above) Study Alaskan art

Alaskan artist: Fred Machetanz (1908-2002). View his biography. View one of his paintings, Quest for Avuk, at the Anchorage Museum. This is a wonderful book of paintings: Alaskan Paintings of Fred Machetanz by Fred Machetanz.
Alaskan artist: Sydney Laurence (1865-1940), View his biography. The Silent Pool at the Anchorage Museum and other paintings at this site.
Alaskan artist: Rie Munoz, View her biography. View paintings.
Alaskan artist: Jon Van Zyle, View his biography. View paintings and more paintings at his site.

Visit a museum and view artwork on display. There are several pieces by Machetanz and Laurence on display at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

For Number 7 (above) Learn artistic techniques

For Acrylics: May need canvas, acrylic paints, palette, bristle burshes in filbert size 2, 4, 6 and 10, sable brushes for details, and optional flat and round bristle brushes
For Oils: May need canvas, oils paints, gesso, palette, bristle brushes in filbert size 2,4, 6 and 10, sable brushes for details, turpenoid, linseed oil, and optional: flat and round bristle brushes
possible video to watch: Painting a pear
Painting of birch trees is one option. Directions here. Or paint trees you have seen on your Nature studies

Frozen Nuts and Other Things