The “Myth” of Early America美国早期的“神话”.pptVIP

* * How Artists Put a Spin on Early American History Jim Hanna Reilly Elementary School 7th Grade Social Studies Grant Wood, American, 1891-1942 Parson Weems’ Fable 1939, oil on canvas, 38 1/8 x 50 1/8 in. Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas Important Facts or Ideas about the Artworkthat Guided the Lesson Based on an apocryphal story from Parson Mason Weems’ 1806 book, A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington. Painted in 1939, with World War II beginning in Europe and Asia. Wood felt it was important to preserve America’s “patriotic mythology” at that time in history. Goals for the Lesson: What I Hoped My Students Would Learn One of the purposes of art is to tell a story. Our interpretations of historical events can be based upon literary or artistic representation. These interpretations can become the myths that influence our understanding of history. Student Activities Students performed a close read of Parson Weems’ Fable. Students chose a work of art inspired by an event in early American history. Students researched the work and the actual event and observed differences between the event and the artist’s interpretation The students were presented with perhaps the best-known of theAmerican historical myths: George Washington and the cherry tree.  “Is that Washington looking at himself as a kid?” “It’s the cherry tree story, right?” “He’s got the dollar bill head!” “The trees match the curtains.” Students did research comparing the event as portrayed in the painting to the actual historical background. What My Students Gained from the Activity Our interpretation of a historical event can change as time passes. The artist can alter our impressions of an historical event through his/her work. Art can be a major aspect of a study of American history. As seen in the painting there is an angel the angel in this point is representing progress in Americ