Kids playing with games and artmaking tools

Perception Games

An Introductory Tour for Grades 3-5
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To see at all, we must isolate and select.

– Sir Ernst Gombrich, art historian

The Denver Art Museum provides students with an engaging environment which stimulates conceptual thought and demands alert perception. Visual perception is one key skill for getting the most out of a visit to the museum. It is a sensory process by which we use our eyes to obtain information and experience the world around us. It is also a mental process performed by the brain as it selects, focuses, examines, and absorbs information about the things the eyes see. The process is influenced by emotions, identity, and many other factors.

Exploring visual perception provides students with a valuable opportunity to hone critical thinking skills as students build on others’ ideas and express their own clearly. The collaborative nature of the tour environment fosters active investigative thinking, risk-taking, and implementing multiple perspectives to arrive at solutions.

Young girl with adult chaperone

Perception Games is a one-hour introductory tour for third through fifth grade students. During Perception Games students will:

  • Enjoy a hands-on and accessible learning experience that is appropriate for diverse students of all levels and needs
  • Expand their observation, comprehension and perception abilities
  • Be exposed to a variety of media and cultures in art
  • Develop familiarity with the museum and have an experience that they are excited about that makes them want to return to the DAM to share it with their friends and families

Standards

Visual Arts Standards:

  • Third Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend 1. Investigate works of art and design to recognize how to create meaning with purpose and intent.
  • Third Grade, Standard 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer 1. Recognize how works of visual art and design communicate meaning both within a community and between diverse cultures.
  • Fourth Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend 1. Uncover how artistic intent can be enhanced through the use of the language of visual art and design.
  • Fourth Grade, Standard 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer 1.1. Investigate and discuss how diverse communities address issues relevant to their culture, place and times.
  • Fifth Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend 1. Investigate and analyze how specific points of view can be communicated through the language of visual art and design.
  • Fifth Grade, Standard 2. Envision and Critique to Reflect 1. Using a variety of criteria, question and evaluate works of art.
  • Fifth Grade, Standard 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer 1. Using interdisciplinary knowledge, investigate and interpret how diverse communities address issues relevant to their place and times.

Reading, Writing, and Communicating Academic Standards:

  • Third Grade, Standard 1.1. Oral Expression and Listening. Participate cooperatively in group activities.
  • Fourth Grade, Standard 1.1. Oral Expression and Listening. Pose thoughtful questions after actively listening to others.

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