American Identity George Mueller and Amy Romito Dunbar Vocational Career Academy Freshman/Junior/Senior level Bronzeville Dunbar is an urban high school with a 99.8% African American student population. 91.8% are low income; with nearly 100% receiving free and reduced lunches

Artwork Ivan Albright ( ) Into the World There Came a Soul Called Ida Oil on Canvas (56 ¼ X 47in) The Art Institute of Chicago

Goals for Lessons Interpret how the arts shape and reflect ideas, issues or themes in a particular culture or historical period. Recognize how the arts change in response to changes in society. Explore how various types of social media play a role in developing students’ personas.

Standards How cultural factors— customs, traditions, language, media, art and architecture—shape an individual and society. Analyze social systems and be able to report their findings. Art can be manipulated by society and society can be manipulated by art.

Major Activities Journaling Understanding Abstract Art and Perspective The Bear That Wasn’t GRASPS William Baziotes Cyclops

How Activities Related to the Artwork Through the use of journaling, students gained an understanding of “Who am I?” Through examination of art and readings, students analyzed how an outsider’s perception shapes an individual’s identity. After being immersed in art and readings that highlighted personal identity, the students displayed their own by completing a self- portrait.

What Our Students Learned Art does not only involve the rich. Art is more than a few colors on a canvas. Through art research, you can see hidden meanings in paintings. Art doesn’t have to be old to be important.

What We Learned Students are fearful of art. They view art as something for the rich and it takes time to dispel the myth. Students were at varying levels of understanding art and its elements.