Ruby Valdovinos

Art 133
Unit Paper 1
2/2/2017
Unit Paper 1
The big idea is described by Walker in Teaching Meaning in Art Making, to be

very important in making meaningful art and extending artwork but also to frame art,

science, music, poetry and writing. It is the conceptual ground for art making. The big

idea is Walkers invention to help students construct meaning in grapple with broad,

important issues, ideas and questions through series of exploration, which will acquire

more knowledge in the process. An example of a big idea can be identity because it can

be extended through artwork and students could pursue. Identity is described by Ward to

be a dominant issue in school because it is the understanding we have about our self.

Fears, dreams and social relations are known to be very helpful for students to build an

aspect of their self through art. Meaning making is an important course curriculum to

encourage and important for any teacher to visualize and integrate into teaching practices.

In our first studio regarding identity, it was based in finding our big idea towards

the end of the activity. According to my personal experience, I would have presented the

automatic drawing the same exact way. I personally did not feel that my big picture had

any connection to what I identify myself to however the photo assignment was more

connected to identity. I would have them discuss and ask questions in how the big idea

connected to identity.

I. Walker, S (2001). Teaching meaning in Artmaking. Worchester, MA: Davis

II. Ward, A. E. (2011). Fantasy Facebook: An exploration of students cultural
sources. Art Education, 63 (4), 47-53