|
Description:
Combine mapping and time line skills to study the life and travels of Diego Rivera.
Grade Level: Sixth
This project was part of a lesson whose overall purpose is to enhance students' knowledge and appreciation of the work of the great Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Through the study of this artist's life, students also learned about the history and culture of Mexico; the geography of Mexico; and the history of Mexican-American relations. Rivera's life was also discussed in conjunction with the students' study of the Western Hemisphere and the Latin American nations. 
Detail, central monochrome panel, Detroit Industry, west wall. Click the image for more information. |
In groups three, students were asked to complete a poster project focusing on the life of Rivera using their mapping skills and their knowledge of time lines and chronology. First they drew a time line and plotted the important events and travels in the life of Diego Rivera. Second, they located and labeled the specific countries around the world where Rivera lived and worked.
selecting images of Rivera and his art
(click the image for a larger version) | 
Rivera images placed on time line
(click the image for a larger version) | 
labeling a map of Europe
(click the image for a larger version) |
Step 1: Each group of three students decided who was responsible for each specific task in each step. On the upper half of a large sheet of newsprint, the students drew a time line with the beginning date 1886 and the ending date 1957. Between these two points were evenly spaced marks representing seven decades (1890s-1950s).
Step 2: In the section above the time line, students listed the "Key Events" in the life of Rivera in the order they occurred. Under the time line, the students listed the significant travels of Rivera in the order they occurred.
Step 3: Each group selected at least one person to cut out pictures of Rivera (photocopies were provided by the instructor), depicting him at various stages of his life, and some of his artwork. The pictures correlate with the significant dates and events in Rivera's life. These pictures were placed along the time line at appropriate spots to provide a visual picture of the artist on a continuum.
Step 4: On the lower half of the newsprint (beneath the time line), students engaged in a mapping exercise. Two or more students in each group cut and pasted maps (photocopies were provided by the instructor) of the Soviet Union, Europe, the United States, and Mexico in the order in which Rivera visited each. Students also located and labeled important geographical features and major cities located in each country.
 |  | students display their finished time lines
(click each image for a larger version) |
|
