Composing Culture: Latin American Art and Storytelling

Virginia Atkins

This curriculum unit is designed to introduce students to Latin American Art as it relates to an understanding of how information is conveyed. It establishes an open-ended way for students to gain confidence, as both viewers and interpreters of Latin American art. It deals with art vocabulary while developing critical 21st century skills that support learning across content areas. Art analysis and interpretation is a vitally important dimension of a student’s education. The student’s unique means of expression, interests and analysis are expanded; allowing them to explore new ideas, subject matter, and the richness of the Latin American art and culture. The goals of the lesson develop critical thinking through analysis and interpretation of Latin American Art as students explore works of art and artifacts from major art periods in Latin America. The objectives for this unit are for students to describe and express opinions about Latin American art. The design and implementation of this unit provide students with opportunities to apply and use authentic language in a sequential and guided process beyond a written or spoken assessment, in a paperless format.