Ancient Greek CoinsMelissa Makortoff

Ancient Greek coin creationGrade 7

The Greeks spread coins throughout the Mediterranean,but were probably not the first to use them

Social, cultural,historical context

-coins were unique to each polis (city-state) because the poleis were fiercelyindependent

-as coins circulated, cities started to mint their coins to the same weightstandard

-earliest coins featured figures, symbols and inscriptions→ patron deities, heros, products

-historical and artistic value

-handmade

Background of one coin-Decorations: Athena patron goddess of athens, wearing a helmetOwl of Athens with olive sprigInscription ΑΘΕ, which is short for“of the Athenians”

-Tetradrachm (worth 4 drachmae)-Silver-Athens (Attica region)-Created after 449 BC(Classical period)

Reasoning/JustificationStrong interdisciplinary connections:

-Math (monetary systems, value, decimals, fractions)-Social Studies (ancient civilizations)-Creation of a classroom currency system

Fosters appreciation for art within our day-to-day world (see big question: What is art?)

Lesson overview: ObjectivesGrade 7 Visual Art PLOsA4 create images using a variety of materials,technologies, and processesC1 analyse visual arts styles from a variety ofsocial, historical, and cultural contexts

SWBAT:Create a coin self-portrait in a similar styleto that of the ancient Greeks(profile view, symbolism of images)

Lesson Overview: Materials + OrganizationMaterials List:Cardboard, white paper/card, pencils, paints (silver, gold, copper, other), mirrors, scissors, circular stencils (or other method of creating a circle)

Prep and set-up:Arrange materials in a way that prevents bunchingStudents must have individual space in which to work. Students must have access to mirrors during sketching/idea creation phase.

Classroom arrangement:Studio style

Project steps and Processes 1: -decide on the size of your coin (the larger the coin,the more detail can go into your coin)

-use a stencil (or other device) to trace the outlineof your coin once on the cardboard andtwice on the white paper

-cut the cardboard and paper

Project steps and processes 2:-draw/paint your self-portrait in profile on one ofthepapers

-draw/paint the symbols of who you are(or what your city is) on the other paper

-glue the paper circles to the cardboard circle.

Alternate ideas:Different media/materials:-Shrinky Dinks (environmentally costly, but shrinkage means more detail can be added)-Real metal (at higher grades) -Clay-Wood

Coins from different times or locations

Other art forms from ancient civilizations

ResourcesFleur de Coin - Your online guide to coin collectinghttp://www.fleur-de-coin.com/currency/greek-coin-history

Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_arthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_coins

Alpha Mom - Kids coin craft ideahttp://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/presidents-day-craft-kid-coins/

Mommy Labs - Cardboard coin necklace craft ideahttp://www.mommy-labs.com/creative-kids/art_craft_projects_kids/an-eco-friendly-cardboard-box-necklace-gift-for-me-and-some-gorgeous-mothers-day-giveaways-for-you/