CTL 7071 Structured Organizer

Building a Big Ideas School Visit for a

Museum
Big Idea for your School Visit: Environment/Nature
Inquiry Questions around the big idea:
1) While observing particular elements of art (lines, colours, shapes, form, space, and
texture). Why are these elements being used and how do they relate to nature?
2) How can nature be defined within all of the artworks and why? How can nature be
defined in separate artworks and why?
3) What is the artworks main message and purpose? Does the authors main message
and purpose relate to nature?
4) Why is nature represented differently in several artworks?
5) How does the artwork demonstrate differences and similarities in terms of nature? Is
there a key similarity between all of the artworks and why?
6) How does the artworks portray a hidden message about nature and why?
7) How does the artworks portray a hidden message about something irrelevant from
nature and why?
8) What is something in this artwork that is meaningful to you and why?
9) Why did the artist include specific elements in the artworks?
Grade level: 2
Specific Curriculum Expectations Achieved:
D2.1 Express their feelings and ideas about works of art
D2.2 Explain how elements and principles of design are used to communicate meaning
or understanding in their own and others art work
D3.2 Demonstrate an awareness of a variety of works of art and artistic traditions from
diverse communities, times, and places
D2.3 Demonstrate an awareness of signs and symbols encountered in their daily lives
and in works of art

Artwork #1:
Name of Artist: Norval Morrisseau
Title/Date: Man changing into thunderbird (1977)
How it connects to the big idea: This artwork by Norval connects to the big idea
nature/environment because the artwork includes specific elements such as shapes,
lines, and colours. I observed that the artwork has a circular shape that connects to lines
which represents the sun. The sun in this artwork represents nature/environment. When I
think about aspects of nature I think about the sun in the sky which makes this painting
represent nature/environment. Additionally, the background of the painting is orange
which signifies that the season is summer. When I look at this artwork I see aspects of
the theme nature/environment because there are birds sitting on the individuals head

and on the individuals stomach. When I depict nature/environment I think about the
animals in the environment as well and how they are living in the environment. The
overall painting is meaningful to me as it connects to nature/environment because I see
an individual turning into a bird within their environment. I think that this is meaningful
because it demonstrates that we should respect animals or birds in the environment. I
believe that the hidden message of this artwork is respecting birds and animals in the
environment because they are as important as human beings. The title of the artwork is
called Man changing into thunderbird which made me realize that this artwork is about
an individual changing into a bird. The author is an indigenous artist which means that
the message behind this artwork is a cultural meaning. I believe that this artwork is
authentic art. There are many different colours and shapes in this artwork that could
possibly have different meanings that connects to nature/environment. Overall, I believe
that this artwork deeply connects to nature within my perspective of looking at the
artwork. I see several aspects of nature within this artwork that is very meaningful. I see
a background with a sun and I see a variety of birds outside. This is the main reason why
I believe that this artwork connects directly to my big idea nature/environment. My
perspective of nature may be different from the authors intention of nature. Also, the
main message that I see may be different from the authors main message as well.
Everyone will perceive this piece of artwork differently.

Artwork #2:
Name of Artist: Robert Clow Todd
Title/Date: The Ice Cone (1845)
How it connects to the big idea: This artwork by Robert connects to the big idea
nature/environment because the artwork itself takes place in an environment. I noticed that there
is ice or snow surrounding both the background and foreground of the artwork. Within the artwork I
see nature/environment demonstrated through the tress, branches and grass that is covered by the
ice or snow. I noticed that there is hills filled with snow and individuals are sliding down the hills in
the artwork. Additionally, there is a waterfall and a clear blue sky that represents nature. There
are individuals inside sleds and horses are giving these individuals a ride. Lastly, I seen other
animals such as dogs in the artwork as well. This artwork personally reminds me of a
nature/environment. When I think about nature/environment I think about different aspects of
nature such as the sky, clouds, grass, tress, branches, and snow. Within this picture I can see nature
represented very well. I believe that this artwork demonstrates my definition of nature because I
envision nature to be a place that is surrounded by trees, animals, clouds, sky, sun, water, branches
and snow. This artwork of nature makes me think about a winter environment. Preferably, I would
consider an ideal vision of nature to be a hot environment rather than a cold environment.
However, I really like the artists intention with this artwork of nature/environment because it
makes me think about my favourite time of the year and about the holidays. I believe that the
authors intention or purpose of this artwork was to demonstrate an ice cone surrounding a natural
environment within a historical period. The reason that this artwork appears historical to me is
because of the individuals appearance in this artwork and also because individuals typically rode
sleds during 1845 when this artwork was created. The title allowed me to acknowledge that this
artwork was about an Ice Cone. I believe that this artwork demonstrates the big idea
nature/environment very well because of the way it makes me feel. It makes me feel excited for
the winter season. However, everyone will perceive this piece of artwork differently.

Artwork #3:

Name of Artist: Franklin Carmichael

Title/Date: Autumn Hillside (1920)
How it connects to the big idea: This artwork by Franklin connects to the big idea
nature/environment because the artwork itself takes place in an environment. I noticed in the
artwork that there are trees, branches, rocks, colourful leaves, clouds, and a sky. All of the aspects
of the artwork represents nature and aligns with my definition of nature/environment. Throughout
this artwork I can envision my ideal perspective of nature because of the trees, branches, leaves,
rocks and the sky. When I looked at this artwork I automatically recognized that this artwork
represents the fall season because of the colourful leaves on the trees. I believe that the main
message or purpose of this artwork is to demonstrate autumn within the environment. When I
observed this artwork I thought about seasons and how makes the environment look different. From
the title of the artwork Autumn Hillside it made me realize that the message or purpose the
artwork was to demonstrate nature and the fall season. This artwork makes me feel happy because
it has a lot of colourful leaves within the artwork. When I look at this artwork it automatically
makes my mood happy because I really enjoy being apart of nature and looking at the colourful
leaves outside. Furthermore, I really enjoy that the entire artwork is natural and represents
nature/environment in many ways. Although I don't know the authors specific intention for creating
this artwork. I realized that the authors intention was possibly to demonstrate the beauty of
autumn.

Artwork #4:
Name of Artist: Kathleen Margaret Graham
Title/Date: Leaf and Tree (1976)
How it connects to the big idea: This artwork by Kathleen connects to the big idea
nature/environment because she was inspired by natures patterns and colours while creating this
artwork. While observing this artwork I was inspired by this artwork because I was able to see a
variety of colours and shapes that represented the fall season. I noticed patterns of colourful trees
within the picture. The title Leaf and tree made me realize that the authors intention was to
create a 2D artwork that reflects aspects of nature. While observing the artwork I was
automatically aware of the colours orange, yellow, green and brown which reminded me of leaves
on a tree. I noticed that these are the colours on a tree during the fall season. The authors
inspiration of the artwork also matches with the way that I perceive this artwork. Moreover, this
artwork connects directly to nature/environment because my personal definition of nature consists
trees and leaves. During class we had the opportunity to define nature and this was apart of my
personal definition in collaboration with my group. I believe that the purpose of this artwork is to
extend the idea of nature/environment by identifying colours that reflect aspects of nature. This
artwork makes me feel happy because the colours that are used within this artwork are bright
colours. Also, it reminds me of the fall season which is my favourite season. Since I am aware of
the authors inspiration for creating this artwork it allows me to identify if my personal intention of
the artwork matches. Furthermore, I realized that my personal intention matches with the authors
inspiration very much. I believe that this artwork connects very well to nature/environment when
it is analyzed further in terms of colour and shapes. However, every individual may have a different
perspective or intention when they look at this artwork. It may remind them of something different
and they may feel a different way while looking at it.