What is knowledge? What is wisdom? When I think of knowledge, I think of a book filled to the brim with all kinds of symbols and words. When I think of wisdom, I think of a very wise old owl with glasses, and he is reading a book. Are the two the same? Is knowledge wisdom? Is having wisdom knowledge? Does that make sense?
Sandra Carey's quote got me thinking. How can individuals or even teachers explain the comprehensive meanings of word meanings. My master's action research project focused on using vocabulary words and art to express word meanings and synonyms. The project was very successful. One of their assignments was to draw the letters for the word, joyful. Then draw objects they personally felt reflected or expressed what they thought the word meant to them. Then we compared their drawings, and discussed actual definitions/synonyms of the words from a dictionary, used a graphic organizer, plus other strategies to help form retention of the images and word meanings/synonyms.
The following a is lesson that teachers AND non-teachers (individuals) can use to express words with art.
1) Begin the fun by using colored pencils/pens/markers/pencils, etc., to write several (at least 15-20) words like: knowledge, wisdom, courage, wild, curious, truth, expression, patience, powerful, reason, answers, etc. on slips of paper.
2) Put the word slips in a bag or jar, shake, and randomly (without looking) choose one word.
3) Use 11 x 17 or 12 x 18 paper (any kind will work).
4) Draw the word in any manner (print, cursive, large letters, small letters, etc.) using any medium,
5) Then draw objects that represent what the word means to you personally.
6) Next use paint (watercolor, tempera, acrylic), colored pencils, crayons, markers, to add colors to the word and objects.
7) Use multiple media if you want. (My students used pencil to write the word and draw the objects; tempera paint in primary (red, blue, yellow) and secondary colors (green, violet and orange) and limited black and white--they had to ask for these colors. (Too much black can overtake the composition quickly.)
8) The sky is the limit for expressing the word--it's an individual's creativity that makes it so special. Let loose and express yourself!!
9) Write on a piece of paper about your experience. Be sure to answer these questions honestly:
1) What objects did I use to represent the word? Why?
2) Is a/are certain object(s) bigger and provide a center of interest? Why?
3) What colors did I use? Is one color more dominant? Why?
4) What feeling/emotion does the artwork and word express? Why?
5) What did I learn about myself during this experience?
NOTE: Here is a sample of one of my students' work. This image is copyrighted by the student artist and has been used by permission only. Please do not copy and paste from this page. Thank you!
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| Student work Copyright 2012 |
**Quote credit: The Quotable Woman by Running Press: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Copyright 1990; Chapter 14, page 134. (This book was a gift from my wonderful step-daughter at Christmas 2011)
