I was afraid the last message would be too long and get bounced.
Third idea: When Renaissance painter Perugino came to the Grand Rapids
Museum, they sent lots of very dry material about Perugino. I knew if I
gave copies to read, they would not do it. I asked them to go to the
computer lab pretend they were Perugino trying to get a commision from
Lorenzo di Medici. I asked them to compose a cover letter and a resume, and
I asked them to write Lorenzo's response. It made them pay close attention
to the artist and it brushed up some English/keyboarding skills plus kicked
the higher order thinking skills.
Perugino is less famous than his student Raphael. One student, in writing
the Lorenzo letter said, "Mail being what it is these days, we did not
receive your letter until it was too late. We did hire a spunky young
painter named Raphael, however, who claims to be at least as good as you."
I think this assignment helps kids to "process" meaning.
Also, no letters, no go.
Another... The Spanish teacher and I took a combined group of Spanish and
art students to see an installation exhibit by Latino artists from Cuba.
We had a guide this time, but she spoke in Spanish. We also had lunch at a
trendy tapas restaurant where the waiters addressed us in Spanish as well.
It was a nice blend of learning. Again they wrote before and after.
