Title – Navajo Sand Paintings

By – Jamie Rettke

Subject – Social Studies, Art

Grade Level – 3-5

Time available for this lesson: about 60 minutes          

Web pages originally used for this lesson are no longer available (but may not be needed).

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Possible Integrations:

Psychology


– Navajo Indians used sand painting in order to heal the sick and mentally ill. 
We will explain how psychology involves the mentally ill and how we can help
cure them with sandpaintings.

Mathematics


– using geometric shapes.  Discuss the different shapes with their names.

Geography



– use of a map to show New Mexico and the reservation in Shiprock.

Reading/Poetry


– read a short story,

Arrow to the Sun

and/or poems.  Use large Indian
Artwork book to show other examples.  Have available for children to look at,
at a later time.

Music



– while children are doing the sandpaintings, traditional Navajo chants and
songs will play in the background.

Writing



:
Allow students to write a short story or paragraph about their sandpaintings
and what it means to them.

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Objectives:

1.

                  



The
students will recognize traditional sand paintings from other Indian artwork

2.

                 



The
students will be able to use and explain some symbols and geometric shapes

3.

                 



The
students will have some knowledge of the history of Joe Ben Jr. and sandpaintings

1.

                  



Visuals
– Map showing New Mexico, examples of artists works; examples of other sand
paintings

2.

                 



Musical
– Traditional Navajo chants and songs

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Organization – have students gathered around
bulletin board

1. 
   Visuals
   

a.

      



Small pictures of sandpaintings
by Joe Ben, Jr. and other Navajos

b.

     



Map of US showing New Mexico,
where Joe Ben lived on the Reservation. Have a student find New Mexico.

2. 
   Open
   Ended Questions
   

a.

      



What are traditional sandpaintings
used for?

b.

     



Describe some of the symbols
and shapes used in sand paintings.

c.

      



Where else would you find
symbols?

d.

     



Tell me something you learned
about Joe Ben Jr.

e.

      



What other ways can you use
sand in art?

Steps
to Sandpainting

a.

      



draw a picture first on a
piece of paper then on the sand covered cardboard

b.

     



with a paintbrush, gently
dab glue onto one color’s surface area

c.

      



sprinkle colored sand on
wet glue

d.

     



tap cardboard lightly to
knock off excess sand; replace sand into bowl

e.

      



do this for each color separately

2. Steps to pass out materials  (in groups
   of 4)

a.

      



Have helpers come collect
materials for their group

b.

     



Teachers pass out colors
to each group of 4 children at a table

Throw
away plates and papers.

Have
students explain the symbols used in their sand paintings

Rubric

Sandpaintings                                                                     
                        Points

Student Name:

Spelling of vocabulary words                                                 
            1  2  3  4

Neatness – organization                                                              
1  2  3  4

Recognition of sandpaintings                                                
                                 4

Creativity                                                                              
            1  2  3  4

Know facts about Joe Ben Jr.                                                           
                                   4

Use of symbols in Sandpainting                                                 
        3  4

Use of the sacred colors (yellow, blue, black, white)                         
1  2  3  4

                       

                                               
            Total Points:
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