Format
This live, interactive webinar is taught directly from the museum galleries, giving students the opportunity to see original works of art and also dig deeper with additional digital content. Led by a museum educator, this program begins with an introduction to the MFA followed by close looking and learning centered on several works of art. Participants engage with the MFA via chat to share their questions and comments. Attendees are not visible, cannot be heard, and cannot share questions/comments publicly.
Objectives
1. Students will learn about photography and, in particular, Barbara Bosworth's project that focused on a single meadow over a long time period.
2. Students will engage in discussion and activities that explore the diversity of life and seasonal changes in the natural environment of this meadow.
3. Students will practice visual literacy and critical thinking skills through close looking, observation, and online discussion centered on works of art from the MFA's collection.
Standards Alignment
State Standards
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Science and Technology/Engineering
Grade 1: Earth and Space Sciences | ESS1. Earth’s Place in the Universe
[1-ESS1-2] Analyze provided data to identify relationships among seasonal patterns of change, including relative sunrise and sunset time changes, seasonal temperature and rainfall or snowfall patterns, and seasonal changes to the environment.
Grade 2: Life Science
- LS2. Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
[2-LS2-3(MA)] Develop and use models to compare how plants and animals depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs in the places they live.
Grade 3: Earth and Space Sciences
- ESS2. Earth’s Systems
[3-ESS2-1] Use graphs and tables of local weather data to describe and predict typical weather during a particular season in an area.
[3-ESS2-2] Obtain and summarize information about the climate of different regions of the world to illustrate that typical weather conditions over a year vary by region.
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Arts
Grades 3-4: Visual Arts
[3-4.V.R.07] Perceive and analyze artistic work. Analyze how aesthetic elements (e.g., color, form, line, shape, texture) are used to demonstrate intent.
[3-4.V.R.08] Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. Describe contrasting interpretations of an artwork to identify multiple perspectives and diverse community ideas.
[3-4.V.Co.11] Relate artistic ideas and works to societal, cultural and historical contexts to deepen understanding. Describe ways art is different from other objects in everyday life and why that matters. (e.g., what the role of artistic intent is in visual arts).