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1. Metal Art, Science, and World History (adaptable
for MS and HS)
Assign teams of students to research the history of
various metals (gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze,
iron and steel) and its uses in art and jewelry. You
can restrict the research to certain periods or let
them explore prehistoric through contemporary times.
You can assign a certain format for their reports (written,
oral, power point, etc.) or allow choices. Reports should
include information about whether the metal occurs naturally,
the processing of metals (smelting and alloys), metal’s
role in social structures and its role in art. Some
helpful websites include:
•http://dragonseedcave.com/copperhistory.htm
•http://elements.vanderkrogt.net/elem/cu.html
•http://www.onlygold.com/TutorialPages/HistoryFS.htm
•http://goldcoins.org/gold.htm
•http://www.bronze-sculpture.net/bronze-history-and-lost-wax-process.html
•http://www.maggieparkersculpture.com/bronze.html
•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze
•http://www.silverinstitute.org/facts/history.php
•http://ces.ca.uky.edu/bourbon/fcs/history_of_silver.htm
•http://www.chicagosilver.com/story_of_sterling2.htm
•http://www.fargarossell.ad/eng/historia/12.htm
•http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/h-carnegie-steel.htm
•http://www.copper.org/innovations/2000/01-brasses/history_brass.html
•http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Brass.html
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2. The Philip Simmons Foundation has a cross-curricular
packet
(art, math, language arts, social studies, American
history, and science)
for grades 3-12 for $40:
http://www.philipsimmons.org/education.html
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3. Gold, Gold Jewelry, Economics, and Social
Studies – HS
Since the earliest civilizations, gold has played a
central role in art, social structures, and economics.
It serves as a universal currency, and thus is considered
a stable asset. In developing countries that are deeply
indebted, increasing production of gold is an important
part of national economies. In some countries, where
the currency is not stable, gold is used as the standard
for buying and selling real estate. There are many countries
where the only property a woman is allowed to own is
her jewelry. Whether your class is studying ancient
history or contemporary global issues, the role of gold
art is a lens through which to examine social structures,
economies and social issues. You could assign teams
of students to research and report on different aspects
of gold and gold art. Here are some websites to get
you started:
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4. Metal work and math – MS and HS
Julia Woodman’s work is a 3-D form of tessellation.
Tessellation has been used in 2-D work as well, notably
by Escher. To introduce tessellation in art to your
students, use one of these websites:
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5. Metal work and diving
Use Nick Toth’s work as a springboard for exploring
any of these areas:
- The history of deep sea diving
- Sponges and other creatures of the sea
- Immigration and economics.
A useful starting place for all of these issues is:
http://www.divingheritage.com/
Cross-Curricular
Connections with Other Media
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