American Art History: Volume I: Art History Disguised as Fun (Volume 1)

Through engaging newspaper articles, funny illustrations, and faux advertisements, American Art: Volume I introduces students to sixteen fascinating pieces of art. The eight chapters of this volume cover eight weeks of lessons. Arranged chronologically this book acquaints students, grades 3rd – 8th with Early American art (prehistoric through colonial portraits).

In this Volume:

• Prehistoric Art: Clovis Spear Points and Prehistoric Tools
• Mound Builder Art: The Birdman Tablet and Mound Builder Bannerstones
• Desert Southwest Art: Mimbres Pottery and Anasazi Sandals
• Iroquois Art: Hiawatha Wampum Belt and Wampum Strings and Belts
• Taino Art: Deminan Caracaracol and Taino Turtle
• The Art of John White: Indians Fishing and The Town of Pomeiock
• Early Virginian Art: Powhatan’s Mantle and The Map of Virginia
• Colonial Portraiture: The Freake Portraits and Self-Portrait of Captain Thomas Smith

American Art: Volume I is arranged chronologically and divided into eight chapters, each chapter introducing two pieces of art. One chapter should be read each week. Chapters can be read individually or aloud. Students often enjoy taking turns reading the articles aloud as a group. Teachers or parents can instigate discussions by helping to define difficult vocabulary or by asking students what is real in the article and what is added for comic effect.

The Forgery Game

Each chapter includes two Forgery games at the end. The games are simple: compare the real work of art to the “forgery” on the facing page and try to find ten differences. This game can be played by students individually or as a group in a classroom setting. In a group students often enjoy competing against each other to see who can find all ten differences first.The game allows children to enjoy studying art, and entices them to thoroughly examine each work of art. By spending time comparing two images, students spend time studying the art in close detail.