A lesson in tolerance.

For this three-part lesson focusing on tolerance, students examined works by American folk-art painter Edward Hicks, researched quotes about tolerance in our society, and applied calligraphy skills to an original composition.

The Peaceable Kingdoms

Known as the father of American folk painting, Edward Hicks became fascinated with the biblical passage Isaiah 11: 6-9, and produced over sixty versions of the painting known as Peaceable Kingdom, all of which were based on this passage. The image of peace among wild animals was his metaphor for the ideal society. By showing different animals living in harmony, he was suggesting tranquility between the European colonists and Native Americans.

Hicks was a Quaker by faith and a painter of shop signs by trade. At the age of forty, he began using his sign-painting skills to portray his vision of social harmony,

Quotes on Tolerance

Students were given three choices for locating quotes for this assignment:

* Using Isaiah 11: 6-9, the same verse that inspired Hicks;

* Researching on the Internet to find a suitable quote on the role of tolerance;

* Writing an original statement or poem relating to tolerance.

Calligraphy

Students were to apply their calligraphy skills, or use well-formed printing. Students used a ruler to accurately measure level lines. Use of rolling rulers was also permitted.

Each student started with a square of construction paper. They measured their lines and penciled in the words of the quote. A short quote might be written on each side three times, with the author's name centered at the bottom. A longer quote might look nice running around the edges-starting up the left side, then going across the top and continuing down the right side, and finishing on the bottom side. The bottom line should not be written upside down, but should read straight across like the top line.

Spacing between words can make or break the beauty of the piece, and spelling errors can ruin an otherwise beautiful piece. The teacher should proofread the words for spelling and check for spacing before the lettering is done with calligraphy markers.

Narrative Art

For the illustration, students used a square of white drawing paper. Students were challenged to show environments where creatures who usually would not coexist together actually do so. Students made sketches of animals by observing magazine pictures. Overlapping shapes and animal interactions were encouraged. The drawings were done first in pencil and then rendered with a variety of colored markers. Variations in line and texture were encouraged. Images and color areas were to bleed off on at least three sides of the square.

The marker drawing was centered and glued in the middle of the calligraphy quote. Corner blocks were cut from construction paper and repeated some shape or idea found in the marker drawing.

Display

We set up an art exhibit in the school library celebrating our lessons on tolerance. I have discovered a wonderful and inexpensive lightweight board for portable displays. Atlas board, used by brick masons as a water barrier, has a lovely light-gray linen-like textured surface. It accepts pushpins and T-pins. It can be used year after year and is so lightweight that one person can easily move it around. Best of all, it is incredibly inexpensive. It can be found in most home improvement supply stores.

WEB LINKS

www.cybernation.com

www.freedomsnest.com

www.quotelady.com

www.wisdomquotes.com

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students apply subjects, symbols, and ideas in their artworks and use the skills gained to solve problems in daily life.

Marlene Johnt is an art teacher at Baldwin County High School in Spanish Fort, Alabama. [e-mail]