flattened soda cans arranged in a spiral

Sculpture by Gerald Clarke, Continuum Basket: Flora, 2016. Autry Museum; 2016.22.1

Art and Activism Desert Communities - Lesson

Resource Type
Lesson
Grade Level:
6–8, 9–12
Discipline:
Art, Social Studies, Environment
Topic:
Native Americans, Activism, California

Self-Paced Lesson

Students explore the connection between art and activism by analyzing a sculpture from the Autry Museum about a desert community. Students are also invited to participate in activism by creating their own sculpture using materials from nature and around the home.


Standards

CA VA:Re7
CA VA:Cn11
CA VA:Cr1
CA VA:Cr2


Lesson and Resources

Lesson: Art and Activism Desert CommunitiesSpanish

Student Response Sheet: Art and Activism Desert Communities Fillable Student Response SheetSpanish


Associated Education Resources

Native Americans

Activism

Art


Teaching Tips for Different Learning Environments

Whole Class In-Person Learning: Student groups create Communities Issues posters using the #1 "Relate" handouts. Teacher projects paintings and uses handouts in #2 "Investigate" to ask analysis questions; students post stickies on the board with their answers. Gallery Walk for #3 "Create."

Whole Class Distance Learning: Student groups brainstorm ideas using the #1 "Relate" handouts in breakout rooms. Teacher projects paintings and uses handouts in #2 "Investigate" to ask analysis questions; students use Jamboard or Flipgrid to share answers. Students do a virtual Gallery Walk for #3 "Create" via student work posted on PowerPoint or GoogleSlides.

Tech Fun: Create a VoiceThread mini group project - groups will have one issue in their community, each student can create describe their art in a quick voice over video (directed towards older students).

Educational Programs at the Autry are sponsored by:

Dean and Laura Beresford · Molly and Neal Brockmeyer · Vince and Colleen Caballero · Capital Group · David F. Eisenberg · The Georgina-Fredrick Children's Foundation · Christy McAvoy · Marleen and Bruce Rognlien · Robert E. Ronus · Brenda and Gary Ruttenberg · The Steinmetz Foundation · Virginia F. Stevenson · Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation

Land Acknowledgment

The Autry Museum of the American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). We recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

The Autry Museum in Griffith Park

4700 Western Heritage Way

Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
Located northeast of downtown, across from the Los Angeles Zoo.
Map and Directions

Free parking for Autry visitors.


MUSEUM AND STORE HOURS
Tuesday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

DINING
Food Trucks are available on select days, contact us for details at 323.495.4252.
The cafe is temporarily closed until further notice.