

Lesson Plans

Re: John Biggers AND Michelangelo

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Wed, 7 Oct 1998 06:17:14 EDT

Dear Rachel,

This is an old one, but it definitely grabs people's attention....

When studying Michelangelo with middle school students, I used to schedule a
class in the media center (where the floor was carpeted). I would go in early
and tape pieces of paper on the bottoms of the tables at the chairs my
students would occupy. The students would have no idea the paper was there
when they came in.

After the presentation on his life and work, ending with the Sistine Chapel
Ceiling, I would have them draw while they laid on their backs up under the
table. They used markers or something dripless, but as they moaned, groaned
and laughed as they worked we discussed how difficult that it must have been
to have painted like that.

7 minutes of that is plenty to get the message across. If your class is for
education majors they'll have to do more bizarre things in the regular
classroom. I guarantee no one will forget it (or you either, for that matter).

I'd love to see a classroom of adults up under the tables. Why didn't I do
this at the college level when I used to teach Art in the Elementary School

Thanks for the mental image; A great way to start the day.

Mary Jane

>MY presentation(in 2 wks) will be on Michelangelo...simply the best!!!
>Does anybody have any suggestions for a VERY QUICK activity(upper
>college level), maybe 5-7 minute activity , that might be used with my
>presentation to capture the attention of my audience and get them