Lesson Plans for Artist: Jack McLarty

Intercultural Connections (pdf download)–Level: Grades 4-10

This lesson plan explores the personal in relationship with the environment. Through looking at Folk Art from various cultures, students will consider the historical link between a culture1s art and its stories. By engaging in the printmaking process, students will explore their own symbolic imagery.

Oregon Standards Connection: Social Studies (History and Geography), Arts (Aesthetics & Art Criticism, Historical & Cultural Perspectives, Create, Present, Perform), English/Language Arts (Reading)

Our Oregon History (pdf download)–Level: Grades 4-10

This lesson plan encourages us to look closely at our local Oregon environment, through the window of McLarty's Portland City Hall panels. Through drawing, students explore several historical ideas such as river and land traffic, and important local events.

Oregon Standards Connection: Social Studies (History and Geography), Arts (Aesthetics & Art Criticism, Historical & Cultural Perspectives, Create, Present, Perform), English/Language Arts (Reading)

Painting Is My Language (pdf download)–Level: Grades 5-12
“ It is not something separate, but is the language that I deal in and look for and say. To
try to transpose it into words doesn't work very well for what you are thinking about.” – Jack McLarty

This lesson plan explores our own personal visual language. Through keeping a sketchbook while looking at our landscape, students explore their daily environment. Through careful consideration of composition, color, and unity, students transform their sketches into images that reflect their personal visual language. Further, students look at the extension of personal artwork; the gallery and its motivations.

Oregon Standards Connection: Social Studies (History and Geography), Arts (Aesthetics & Art Criticism, Historical & Cultural Perspectives, Create, Present, Perform), English/Language Arts (Reading)

Scale Drawing Lesson (pdf download)–Level: Grades 4-6

Jack McLarty makes use of a sketchbook to put his ideas for future art pieces onto paper. Students will learn how artists use sketches and scale drawings, which then transfer to finished pieces of artwork.

Oregon Standards Connection: Mathematics (Calculations and Estimations), Arts (Aesthetics & Art Criticism, Historical & Cultural Perspectives, Create, Present, Perform)

The Water Cycle Lesson (pdf download)–Level: Grades 4-6

Jack McLarty defines the river as the center of life in Portland, Oregon, and that is reflected in his mural in the Portland City Hall. Students will recognize the importance of water in the lives of people, where their drinking water comes from, and how water on earth changes form in the water cycle.

Oregon Standards Connection: Physical Science, The Arts

Weathervanes Lesson (pdf download)–Level: Grades 4-6

Jack McLarty's artwork incorporates many images of local folk art, including weathervanes. This lesson focuses on the definition of folk art, how weathervanes evolved into folk art, and the use of weathervanes in
predicting weather patterns.

Oregon Standards Connection: Earth and Space Science,, Arts (Aesthetics & Art Criticism, Historical & Cultural Perspectives, Create, Present, Perform)