Albert Bierstadt German, 1830-1902 (active USA) Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley, 1864 Oil on canvas, SBMA

Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley Lessons

Part One Integrated Lesson Plans for

Curricular Units on the Topics of:

Western Expansion California History

Renewable Resources Earth and Its Structures

CCSS Connections Expository Reading Lessons

Narrative & Opinion Writing Prompts Listening & Speaking Activities

and CCSS-Based Performance Tasks featuring the

Next Generation Science Standards

Grades 4 - 8

Essential Questions for this unit or lesson sequence: What is worth saving? Who owns the land? How does land ownership influence history? Does HOW we live affect WHERE we live? Can one person change culture…and history? How? Why? How can an artist or writer be a change agent? How can words and images be powerful change agents? How can creative works influence emotions and convictions, and move people to take action? What are the “tipping points” that facilitate change? Quotes from John Muir that connect with essential questions: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” John Muir “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” John Muir

Albert Bierstadt German, 1830-1902 (active USA) Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley, 1864 Oil on canvas

Albert Bierstadt German, 1830-1902 (active USA) Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley, 1864 Oil on canvas, SBMA

Ask students: What’s going on in this painting? What do you see that makes you say that? Note: The citation that includes the title and artist is included on this slide. Show the next slide (only the painting) during the discussion, and then share this slide for title and artist information.

Albert Bierstadt German, 1830-1902 (active USA) Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley, 1864 Oil on canvas, SBMA

Discussion Starter:

Discussion Question #2: What art techniques did Bierstadt use to create an emotional quality to this piece? Consider the sky, perspective, proportion, movement and stillness, light, etc.

Albert Bierstadt German, 1830-1902 (active USA) Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley, 1864 Oil on canvas, SBMA

Compare the painting to the actual location What did the artist change, if anything?

Look at the scene again. What has changed? How does this change affect the painting and the viewer’s response?

As you noticed, the people in the boat were not in the previous slide. Here is a close up of the group. Who do you think they are? Why do you say that?

Compare and contrast. Why do you think the painter (Albert Bierstadt) decided to add the people and the boat to the painting?

Links to the CCSS: Writing

The CCSS require students to use concrete, sensory words (i.e. exact nouns, verbs, and show-not-tell descriptions) when writing narratives.

Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.

The next 4 slides introduce a writing lesson sequence that helps students practice these skills.

Discussion or quick-write prompt: Consider this scene. What single word comes to mind that describes this scene or location? What feeling or emotion would you experience if you were in the boat or standing on the shore? Why?

How many adjectives can you use to describe the scene or specific elements in the image? What concrete, sensory descriptions can you create to paint the picture in words?

The CCSS require students to use concrete, sensory words and phrases (i.e. exact nouns, verbs, and show-not-tell descriptions).

The most peaceful thing in the world is to fish in a sturdy little boat on a pristine lake in the High Sierras, with just one or two companions who appreciate the value of stillness. Billowy clouds float overhead as our boat drifts across the mirror-like surface of the lake. An aromatic mixture of cedar and pine makes the world smell fresh and clean. That’s how I feel, too.

Write a short description of this scene. Use the concrete words and sensory descriptions you drafted in the previous activity to tell why this scene is ___________ (the single word you selected to describe the scene). See the example below.

Turn it around and switch your point of view. This time, describe a negative experience)… The most ______________ thing in the world is… (see next slide for an example)

The most annoying thing in the world is to sit in a small boat with two other fishermen who cannot stop talking. They laugh loudly and rock the boat, scaring away any possible catch. Even though it is late spring, it’s still cold. Those cumulous clouds are tinged with grey, and rain – or snow – is forecast for the afternoon. The lake is still and stagnant. Mosquitos hum in my ears and sting my cheeks, hands, and scalp. I’m bored, my skin is burning, and I really want to get out of this boat now!

See the next Lesson Sequence (PDF), Mirror Lake, Yosemite Valley

Part 2

for Integrated Expository Reading & Research Activities,

Opinion Writing Prompts, and CCSS-Based Performance Tasks