ATI- 2009 North
Best Practices/ Patricia Marinaro- Fellow
Lesson- Rainbow Recognition
Objectives for K-4 – February and March
SWBAT recognize, memorize and remember the color wheel in a rainbow format called ROY G BIV. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.
Summary: Students are introduced to the Gallic/Celtic cultures of Ireland, Scotland and England using the enduring color prism of the rainbow introduced as a Leprechaun character called Roy G. Biv in recognition of the holiday also, St. Patrick Day.
Books by Authors and Artists, Brian Froud, Arthur Rackham… Hobbits, A Golden book of Elves and Fairies, illustrated by Garth Williams.
The story of the Leprechaun, the Rainbow, and the Pot of Gold is told and illustrated for the class. Character of the Leprechaun is discussed and introduced in doll form and pictures.

Class discussion: The creation of a Myth, the invention of our imagination, why is the Leprechaun always dressed in green, with pointy toed slippers, hat, pointy ears and nose? Why do they live in the forest? (Under the roots of an Oak tree) How are they magical? What is magical? Can an Artist or Writer be a magical person, or an inventive person? Fact or Fiction, Sample’s enclosed. Story is enclosed.

Standards Achieved:
1.2 - Creation and Performance - By the end of Grade 2, create works of art using the basic elements of color, line, shape, form, texture, and space for a variety of subjects and basic media.
1.1 – Aesthetics – Compare and Contrast works of art that communicate significant cultural meanings.
Strands and Cumulative Progress Indicators –
By the end of Grade 4
1.2.4 D Visual Art – Generate works of art based on selected themes.
1.3.12 D. Visual Art – Analyze how literacy (literary, musical, theatrical, and /or dance composition) can provide inspiration for a work of art.

1.5.4 B. Skills – Examine art as a reflection of societal values and beliefs.
Rubric:
Correct rainbow prism 30 %
Completion of 2 projects 50%
Attention to detail 20%


Quotes:
The students liked the simplicity of memorizing the color prism of the rainbow. They loved working on their character Roy G. Biv. The introduction of other culture’s, especially at the holiday, helped the children visualize and understand the parades held traditionally by immigrants that have helped shape and influence the American culture.
Personal experience was relating stories I was told as a child.
The children asked me if I believed in Leprechauns.
I said “absolutely”.
That seemed to impress them. I then brought in my collection of leprechaun dolls. I discussed the varied expressions on the doll faces, but the image remained the same.
The green costume, the detail of pointy shoes, hats… and the hardiness of character was really impressed on the students.
The Leprechaun does not scare them anymore.

ATI Best Practices Interview
By Computer/Art teacher Betty Providenti –Fellow
With Art Teacher Patricia Marinaro – Fellow.

Patricia was inspired by the existence of the Artist/Teacher Institute. Showing up for two weeks during the summer was an exhilarating experience. The word wall exhibited and worked on during the creative movement class at ATI was one of the first lesson plan ideas. She walked around and peeked in on all the different classes to see how the other teachers taught and what they were teaching. " The word wall represented words in motion." She also was introduced to the Art of the "Story Teller" profession. She then took a literal approach to teaching the color wheel as a story, but with charm. Patricia enrolled in the Playwright's class with Dominique Cieri.

"We had so much fun writing in a really intense environment." I learned alot of techniques for brain storming with alot of very talented Artists and Teachers. She also took the Oil Painting class with Kit Sailor. It seems ATI attracts some very talented people to show up and share their skills.

Patricia’s lesson was about the color chart and how it never changes. Her lesson was for students K-4. One of the many examples Pat uses to create an understanding of this lesson was Rainbow Recognition. She creates a story using a character named Roy G. Biv which represents the colors in the color wheel. Pat exhibited an excitement for the lesson and her students.
Pat explains “I use languages and foreign words, like the Gaelic language to bring it into St. Patrick’s Day and the parade. They can relate to it because every where there is a parade, like Newark and New York and they can relate. Using these examples brings into the lesson different ethnic groups.”
“Knotted circles, Celtic knots, are a good design concept. I am a book collector and I access my own library to let the kids use the books. I use them to make reproductions for them.”

I tell a story about a farmer who chops down a leprechauns tree. The leprechaun shows up and demands to know what the farmer intends to do with the tree. The farmer said he was going to burn it. The leprechaun says absolutely not, you will have 30 years of hard luck if you do. The farmer says I am sorry, what can I do to make it up to you. The leprechaun says, carve a cradle and raise all your children and grandchildren using it and I promise you 30 years of good fortune.” The farmer and his family have forever thrived.

“I also use a Crayola model magic lesson with the kids and we start a coil pot project painted like a rainbow.”

“Book arts this year is setting me up to be more three dimensional with the kids and their projects. Miriam Shier has given me easily about 30 projects to turn into lesson plans with my students.I can teach them more about design; I can be inclusive with everything using book arts.”

“I make portfolios with them every year and this year I am going to have them design them with the accordion fold.”

Patricia seems very excited to take back the work she is learning at ATI and develop lessons with her kids.