Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)
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Knowledge of African Art - The main objective is for students to acquire knowledge about African art, understanding its characteristics, influences, and diversity. This includes exploring different forms of art, such as sculptures, masks, and fabrics, and understanding how these art forms are used to express African culture and identity.
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Understanding Historical and Cultural Context - In addition to learning about the art forms themselves, students should also understand the historical and cultural context in which these art forms were created. This involves exploring different periods of African history and how these periods influenced African art.
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Development of Analytical Skills - Finally, students should develop analytical skills to understand and interpret African art. This includes the ability to identify common elements in African art, make connections between different artworks, and interpret the meaning behind these works.
Secondary Objectives
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Promote Appreciation of Cultural Diversity - Through the study of African art, students should be exposed to a different culture and, consequently, develop a greater respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.
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Stimulate Creativity - By studying different forms of art, students may be inspired to create their own artworks, applying what they have learned about African art in their own creative expressions.
Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)
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Review of Previous Content - The teacher starts the lesson by reminding students about the concept of art and how it can be used to express ideas, emotions, and cultures. It is also important to highlight the diversity of art, mentioning that each culture has its own distinct forms of art. (2 - 3 minutes)
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Problem Situations - Next, the teacher presents two situations that will pique students' interest in the topic:
- Situation 1: "Imagine you are visiting a contemporary art museum that is exhibiting African art. Can you identify which pieces are African and why?"
- Situation 2: "Have you noticed how some cultures use masks in their celebrations and rituals? Why do you think this happens?" (3 - 4 minutes)
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Contextualization - The teacher then explains the importance of understanding African art, emphasizing that art is a crucial part of a people's culture and that by studying African art, students will be learning about the history and culture of an entire continent. Furthermore, African art has had a significant influence on global art, making the study of this topic even more relevant. (3 - 4 minutes)
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Capturing Students' Attention - To spark students' interest, the teacher can share some curiosities about African art. For example:
- Curiosity 1: "Did you know that African art has been a source of inspiration for many famous artists, including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse? They were influenced by the simplicity and abstraction of African art in their own works."
- Curiosity 2: "Have you heard of the mask of Tutankhamun, which is one of the most famous funerary masks in the world? It was made in ancient Egypt, which is actually part of Africa!" (3 - 4 minutes)
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
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African Mask Creation Activity (10 - 12 minutes)
- Group Division - The teacher divides the class into groups of five and distributes the materials needed for the activity: paper plates, acrylic paints, brushes, feathers, popsicle sticks, glue, and scissors.
- Activity Explanation - The teacher explains that students will create their own African masks, inspired by the African art they studied in the Introduction of the lesson. They should use the provided materials to decorate the paper plates and turn them into masks. The teacher also provides images of authentic African masks for students to use as reference, encouraging them to pay attention to the patterns, colors, and shapes used in African art.
- Activity Execution - Students work in their groups to create their African masks. They should discuss and decide together how they want their masks to look, promoting collaboration and creativity. The teacher circulates around the room, providing guidance and support as needed.
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Analysis and Discussion Activity (10 - 12 minutes)
- Activity Preparation - Before the activity, the teacher collects the masks created by the students and places them on a table at the front of the room.
- Activity Explanation - The teacher explains that now students will analyze the masks created by the other groups. They should observe the colors, patterns, and shapes used, and discuss in their groups what they think these characteristics may represent in African culture.
- Activity Execution - Students, still in their groups, walk to the table, pick a mask, and start the discussion. After a few minutes, they switch masks, so each group analyzes several different masks. The teacher circulates around the room, listening to students' discussions and providing feedback as needed.
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Presentation Activity (5 - 6 minutes)
- Activity Preparation - Before the activity, the teacher organizes the room in a circle and places the masks in the center.
- Activity Explanation - The teacher explains that now each group must choose a mask they analyzed and present it to the class. They should explain the characteristics they observed in the mask and what they think these characteristics represent in African culture.
- Activity Execution - One by one, the groups present their masks and their analyses. The teacher and other students can ask questions or make comments after each presentation, promoting discussion and deepening students' understanding of African art.
These activities not only help students understand and interpret African art but also promote collaboration, creativity, and discussion in the classroom.
Return (10 - 12 minutes)
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Group Discussion (5 - 6 minutes)
- The teacher gathers everyone for a discussion circle. Each group should share their conclusions or findings about the masks they analyzed. This allows students to learn from others' perspectives and interpretations, and also helps reinforce the idea that art is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways.
- During the discussion, the teacher should ask guiding questions to stimulate deeper reflection, such as: "Why do you think this color was used in this mask?" or "How does the shape of this mask relate to the African culture we studied?".
- The teacher should ensure that all students have the opportunity to speak and that the environment is respectful and open. This can be done by establishing discussion rules at the beginning of the activity and monitoring the conversation during the discussion.
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Connection to Theory (3 - 4 minutes)
- After the discussion, the teacher should make the connection between the practical activities and the theory presented in the Introduction of the lesson. This can be done through targeted questions, such as: "How does what we learned about African art in theory connect with what we saw in the masks we analyzed?" or "How do the masks you created reflect the African art we studied?".
- The goal of this step is for students to understand that art is not just a form of expression but also a reflection of a people's culture and history. By making this connection, students can develop a deeper appreciation of African art and cultural diversity.
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Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes)
- Finally, the teacher asks students to reflect individually on what they learned during the lesson. They can be guided by questions like: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?".
- This reflection gives students the opportunity to process what they have learned and identify any areas that may need further study or understanding. Additionally, the teacher can collect students' reflections as feedback for the lesson, helping to inform the planning of future lessons.
This Return stage is crucial for consolidating learning, stimulating reflection, and identifying any gaps in students' understanding. The teacher should ensure that students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions, and that all reflections are respected and valued.
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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Summary of Contents (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher summarizes the main points covered during the lesson, reinforcing the importance of African art, its distinct characteristics, influences, and diversity. It can also highlight again how African art has been a source of inspiration for artists worldwide, reinforcing the relevance of the topic.
- It is important for the teacher to verify if the lesson Objectives were achieved and if students have understood the concepts presented. The teacher can do this through review questions or a brief discussion.
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Connection of Theory with Practice (1 - 2 minutes)
- The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and analysis. They can mention how the mask creation activity allowed students to apply what they learned about African art in a practical and creative way. Additionally, the analysis and discussion activity allowed students to deepen their understanding of African art by applying their analytical and interpretative skills.
- The teacher can also highlight how the group discussion and final reflection helped consolidate learning and stimulate students' curiosity and critical thinking.
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Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes)
- The teacher suggests extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of African art. This may include books, documentaries, museum websites, and art galleries, among others. The teacher can share these resources through email or an online learning platform, so students can access them in their own time.
- Some examples of extra materials the teacher may suggest are: "The History of African Art" by Monica Blackmun Visonà, "African Art" by Frank Willett, and the digitized collection of African art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Relevance of the Topic to Everyday Life (1 minute)
- To conclude the lesson, the teacher emphasizes the relevance of the topic to students' everyday lives. They can mention how African art has influenced global art, including contemporary art, fashion, and design. Additionally, the teacher can highlight how studying African art helps promote appreciation of cultural diversity and understanding of the history and culture of an entire continent.
- The teacher can encourage students to pay attention to African art in their environment, whether in museums, books, films, or even in their local community. This can help reinforce the concepts learned in the lesson and apply them in real-life situations.
The Conclusion of the lesson is an opportunity for the teacher to reinforce key concepts, make connections between theory and practice, and motivate students to continue learning about the topic. By providing extra materials and highlighting the relevance of the topic, the teacher can help inspire students to engage with the subject outside the classroom.