THEME: SHAPES                                                           
SUBJECT: EARLY CHILDHOOD
ARTIST: YAYOI KUSAMA / JAMES TURRELL
GRADE: recommended PreK-5th grade
 
OBJECTIVES
Students learn the names of different shapes and how to recognize them.
Students begin to recognize shapes in different installations and also in the world.
 
KEY QUESTIONS
1. What shape do you see?
2. How does this shape make you feel? Do you like or dislike this shape? Why?
3. How many shapes do you see?
4. Where have you seen this shape before?
 
BOOK REFERENCES
1. When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene
2. The Shapes Game by Paul Rogers
3. Color Farm by Lois Ehlert
4. Fire Engine Shapes by Bruce McMilllan
5. Round is a Pancake by Joan Sullivan Baranski
6. Shapes Around Us (Math Every Day) by Daniel Nunn and Rebecca Rissman
 
VISUAL REFERENCES
1. Infinity Dots Mirrored Room, (1996) by Yayoi Kusama
2. Repetitive Vision, (1996) by Yayoi Kusama
3. Catso, Red, (1994) by James Turrell
4. Danaë, (1983) by James Turrell
 
ACTIVITY
Collaborate on a shape mural.  Start by taping a large piece of paper on a wall, be sure to cover the whole area that you will be using to work. Use an overhead projector or flashlight to project images of simple shapes on to the wall with the paper taped to it. The simple shapes can be cut out of paper, or can be easily identifiable objects such as bubbles, kites, etc. Take turns tracing shapes onto the paper. Use different color markers, crayons or pencils to trace. Also think about using other materials to trace, including tape, yarn, stickers, etc. After you have traced many different shapes and everyone has had one or two turns, turn off the projector and look at the mural as a group. Name all the shapes you see. Did you create new shapes? Do the shapes look different without the projector? 

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PENNSYLVANIA CORE STANDARDS 
VISUAL ARTS
(9.1.3.A-9.1.5.A)
-know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities
 
(9.1.3.B-9.1.5.B)
-recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts
 
(9.1.3.D-9.1.5.D)
-use knowledge of varied styles within each art form through a performance or exhibition of unique work
 
(9.1.3.E-9.1.5.E)
-demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions, illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts