Killer Whale Crest Hat
Preston Singletary, Tlingit, American
2004
height 7.5 in. x 17.75 in. diameter
Denver Art Museum Collection: Gift of Polly and Mark Addison, 2012.10
Students on an early childhood tour at the Denver Art Museum are led in close looking of the objects at the center by their museum guide.
This routine can be done daily or weekly and takes about 5-10 minutes. It will encourage children to practice conversation, questioning, and close looking.
Instructions:
- Choose an object (this can be something from home, a show and tell item, something from your desk, an art reproduction, or an everyday item).
- Have everyone sit in a circle and take a few seconds to quietly observe the object.
- Pass the object around so everyone can feel it and see it up close.
Guiding Questions:
- Ask the following questions from Artful Thinking by Project Zero
- What do you see?
- What do you think about this object? What do you wonder about this object?
TIP: In the beginning, model descriptive language and encourage deeper curiosity in the questions. Once children are comfortable with this routine, let them bring in objects to use.
Related Creative Activities
Ten Times Two
Materials Matter
Children will explore the movement and texture of fabric and other materials through hands-on group and individual activities. They will then make an all-class fabric “sculpture” and share their creation with others through pictures.
Family Stories
This lesson focuses on Roxanne Swentzell’s sculpture Mud Woman Rolls On to evoke thoughts about families and their stories. Students create their own picture story about family.
What Does Mud Have to Do With It?
Students learn about using common materials from the earth to create art. After spending time examining the materials used by Roxanne Swentzell and learning about her process and intent for Mud Woman Rolls On, students experiment with dirt, sand, water, and straw to gain a real world experience using materials like those used by the artist.
Dancing the Colors of Birds
Through interaction with Ason Yellowhair’s Bird and Cornstalk Rug, the students will explore colors and rhythm through storytelling and dance.
Bumpy, Lumpy and Special
Children will learn how things that are bumpy, lumpy, and not necessarily “perfect” are often just as special as things that seem smooth and “perfect.” They will have an opportunity to explore the idea that imperfection is still important and beautiful (wabi sabi).