Lesson Plans

Students will be able to

• Interpret and analyze art by identifying and describing subject matter
• Evaluate differing points of view on the same historical event or issue
• Distinguish their own point of view from that of the artist or those of their characters
• Compare and contrast the experiences of different people
• Conduct independent research

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Length of lesson: 30 minutes

For 3rd-5th grade:

• What do you notice about the figures’ body language?
• Why do you think the artist chose to make the statues headless? What facial expressions do you think they would have?
• What people and/or places do the clothes remind you of? What are the national, ethnic, and/or cultural influences can you identify in the work?
• Why does colonialism matter to me, my community, and the world?
• How would you feel if the government forced you to change the language that you speak, the way that you dress, the religion that you practice? How do you see this piece addressing these issues and questions?

Length of lesson: 1 hour

For 6th grade and higher:

• Research the objectives and outcomes of the Berlin conference. What were the historical consequences? What are the present-day consequences?
• Research a previously colonized country. When and how did they gain independence?
• Consider the concept of multiculturalism. The fabric the figures are wearing is widely sold across the continent (and in the diaspora), but was constructed in Holland using techniques originating in Indonesia. What do you make/feel of a scene potentially representing white, European people wearing ‘African’ clothing?