Objective(s)

Students will use the Internet to research famous African American artists.

Students will write to inform.

Students will create a Power Point slide depicting their artist.

National Standards

Technology: develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology; develop an understanding of the attributes of design.

Summary

In this lesson students use the Internet to investigate African American artists. After researching individually, students will come together in small groups to complete a biography and Power Point slide.

Technology and/or Materials Needed

• Computer with Internet access, one for each student
• Microsoft Power Point software
• Index cards with African American artists listed on each
• Students should have knowledge of the Internet and Microsoft Power Point.

Implementation Time Frame

Approximately four 45-minute class period

Activities

Students will first review searching one the Internet. Describe the Internet as a web with different points as different sites to use for research. Students are to use search engines to find sites relevant to their topic. Each student will be given an index card with an African American artist on it. Each artist should be duplicated at least three or four times, so those students come together as a group later in the project. Students will search for information on their artist including the time period of the artist, samples of work, struggles, and successes.

After students have gathered information individually, students will work in small groups to come together to write a short biography and develop a Power Point slide displaying a sample of work and brief bits of information. The slides will be combined into one class project.

Assessment

Power Point slide and biography can be assessed.

Resources and Related Links

• www.si.edu/artarchive/guide/afriamer/addtl.htm