1st Grade-A Peak at Next Unit in Painting

For our upcoming painting unit we will be creating paintings of our favorite animals inspired by Aztec representations of animals. We will first look at these images below and discuss similarities we see between them. We will address realistic drawings versus stylistic images of animals and identify various types of lines used in Aztec animal designs.

Did the artist use a thick or a thin brush to create this monkey?

These images were found on google image search and were not created by the children. These images will be the resource images I will use with the kids. You too can share these images with your children and begin the conversation about the Aztecs and their art. Below, you will find some additional information on the Aztecs that might help inform your conversation.

What are some shapes you see inside the shell of the turtle?

Is this a side view, a view from above or a view from the front?

What are some shapes

What shapes are the eyes?

What do you notice is the same about these animals' eyes?

Now, what lines and shapes do you find inside these animals?

Do you think this dog's ears curl that way?

Some Basic information on the Aztecs:

(from Wikipedia and other online sources)

-The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Often the term "Aztec" refers exclusively to the people of Tenochtitlan, situated on an island in Lake Texcoco, who called themselves Mexica Tenochca or Colhua-Mexica.

-At its pinnacle Aztec culture had rich and complex mythological and religious traditions, as well as reaching remarkable architectural and artistic accomplishments.

-In 1521, in what is probably the most widely known episode in the Spanish colonization of the Americas,Hernán Cortés, along with a large number of Nahuatl speaking indigenous allies, conquered Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztec Triple Alliance under the leadership of Hueyi Tlatoani Moctezuma II; In the series of events often referred to as "The Fall of the Aztec Empire". Subsequently the Spanish founded the new settlement of Mexico City on the site of the ruined Aztec capital.

-The Aztec had many domesticated plants and animals that were not available in Europe.

-There were also many kinds of animals the Aztecs had domesticaed that the Europeans had not domesticated such the turkey, cows, wild pigs, and some dogs, llamas, and alpacas.

-The Aztec maintained their subsistence by utilizing fishing, hunting, gathering and gardening techniques. The valley rivers were rich in fish, insects, shrimp, tadpoles, and a naturally occurring pasta called ahuatle. Those near the ocean ate crabs, oysters, fish and turtles. Thus, the water was a major source of food for the Aztec who wished to utilize them. Among the wild animals are rabbits, snakes, armadillos, deer, pumas and coyotes. Along with the hunting of some of these, the ancient Aztecs also hunted the wild turkey.

For more information on the Aztecs go here.