While reading biographies in the Fountas and Pinnell text set category named Artists, fourth grade students compared and contrasted the art styles of various artists. The big ideas they thought about included: Why is creativity important for individuals? How do artists use their art to express their thoughts and feelings? How does art help you process your thoughts and feelings?
After reading the biography of Jackson Pollock entitled Action Jackson, written by Jan Freenberg and Sandra Jordan, and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker, the fourth graders channeled their “inner Jackson” by creating their own unique pieces. Students utilized the same techniques as Jackson Pollock, including listening to improvisational jazz music as they created their original masterpieces.