Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 Lesson Focus: By using any number of printing processes in art, artists are able to mass produce their artwork quickly and at a lower cost. Art Focus: Paul Revere Boston Massacre otherwise known as The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street (This is not a print but 12 laminated pictures you will pass out for students to share; you will find these in a large plastic bag in the Art Smart Print Holder, 1st Grade folder. You may also place a copy of the print under the teacher’s document viewer for all to see.) Materials from Art Smart Closet: Stamps and Ink pads White index cards Laminated Newspaper example in Art Smart Print Holder (optional— show these as examples of a newspaper when/if you feel it fits into the lesson) Materials in Classroom: Colored Pencils or crayons Markers Materials from Home: Front page of a newspaper that had both a picture and text to use as a visual aid. Paper towel or hand wipes Class Discussion (15 minutes) Hold up a copy of the front page of a newspaper that has a picture and text. I have a question for you all. What am I holding up? (A newspaper) How many people do you think have this same newspaper? (Lots of people) Washington Art Smart 1 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 If your parents get the (“Tribune” “Wheaton Sun” etc.), did you know that everyone who gets this paper is looking at an exact copy that their neighbors all read? This is because if a process called printing. Who knows what printing is? (The process of reproducing letters, drawings or patterns) For hundreds of years the only people who were able to have books, letters or any artwork were people with lots and lots of money. Even if you had a copy of anything like a book or artwork, it would have been copied by hand. In other words all of those reproductions had to be done by rewriting every single word or hand painting every picture one by one. In the year 1440, around 570 years ago, a German inventor named Johannes Gutenberg invented a printing machine that, with only a few changes over the years, has remained the most used way of printing until about 100 years ago. The inventor's method of printing allowed, for the first time, the mass production of printed books. They could use a machine to copy images instead of working by hand. What kinds of things do you see around you here at school, or at home, that are examples of things that are printed? (Newspapers, books, worksheets, posters etc.) How do we make copies of books and papers today? (Photocopy machines, computers) Can those copies be made in color easily? (yes) One of the most famous early American prints was created during the times of the American Revolutionary War, when George Washington was alive. (Explain this history briefly: see definitions in reference section and put in your own words.) We are going to look at a print called the Boston Massacre. It was made by a very famous American named Paul Revere (You can explain that he was a “freedom fighter”). Washington Art Smart 2 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 During the time of the Revolutionary War, some Americans began to fight against the king in England—they wanted Americans who lived in America to rule their own country, not a king who lived across the ocean far away. Some people wanted the British, or the people from England to leave, others wanted them to stay. Many people couldn’t decide whether the British were our enemies or not. Paul Revere was a patriot, a man who fought to get the British out of our country. Paul Revere got his anti-British message out to hundreds of Americans by handing out little sheets of paper that he printed himself and had a friend colorize by hand painting. Paul Revere and this print had a huge affect on how Americans viewed the British and let’s see if you can figure out why. (Pass out laminated copies of the picture.) Take a few minutes to really look at this picture. What do you think is happening or happened? (Let the students describe the scene in their own words. Point out as they talk that the British are the “Red Coats.” The scene shows a group of British soldiers gunning down innocent, defenseless town’s people) What would you think of the British if you were one of the colonists (early Americans)? Does this look like a fair fight? (Not at all. The British had rifles; the colonists were unarmed.) What colors stand out? (The red of the uniforms; the red blood.) Why do you think it was important to use these colors? If the picture had to be colored in by hand, why didn’t they just leave it black and white? Many people had not decided if they wanted the British to leave or not. After people saw this print though, many finally agreed that they wanted the British to leave America. Why do you think this print changed American minds? (They could see that they were being brutally attacked and killed by these soldiers. Who would not get angry to think unarmed people were being shot down in the middle of the street for no reason whatsoever.) Washington Art Smart 3 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 Why do you think Paul Revere wanted to make quick copies of this picture rather than just make a painting of it and post it somewhere like in a museum? (This was news. He wanted as many people to see what had happened as quickly as possible to influence the way they thought about the British.) How would you feel if you were an early American and saw this picture? Paul Revere understood that he could put out a message very quickly to a lot of people by making copies. Today we are going to put out a message very quickly to a lot of people but our message will be a very fun and happy one! Washington Art Smart 4 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Art Activity (15 minutes) Grade: 1 Friendship Notes Explanation for Presenter: Each student will make their own hand-stamped, hand-colored note cards from index cards or available paper. Each student needs one large stamp and starts with 4 index cards. Explanation to students: Today instead of passing around sad and shocking news about the Revolutionary War, we are going to spread around good news about being friends! Today we are going to make friendship notes! But since we don’t have a lot of time to create them by hand, we are going to use stamps as a way to create a number of cards quickly! Before we start creating our cards, let’s think up a number of nice things to say on a friendship card that we can give to someone. (Write student ideas on board. They can give these to parents, teachers, friends etc. Examples: You’re a great mom! Thank you for being my friend. I love you. Happy Spring. Have a great day! You’re a super teacher! Note: I would suggest telling them the Friendship Notes need to be for someone outside of the class with the exception of the teacher; this way no one’s feelings will get hurt if some kids gets notes and others don’t. Take your stamp and use a dark colored marker to “ink” your stamp or use the stamp pads provided. (Students will have to share pads, if they don’t want to wait they should use their markers.) Hint to kids: use the fat side of the marker not the tips. Stamp your paper 1 or more times to make a nice design. Color in the empty areas of the paper with colored pencils or crayons. Switch stamps with a neighbor and try it again. Personalize your note with a message and sign your name. Pass out more index cards if needed or use scrap paper from the classroom to make more notes. When you are done you can take your personalized Friendship Cards home and pass them out to your special friends or family. Washington Art Smart 5 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 Artist/Artwork Background Information: (Reference for Presenter) When Paul Revere first began selling his color prints of "The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street" in Boston, he was doing what any like-minded patriot with his talents in 1770 would have done. Only, Paul Revere did it faster and more expeditiously than anyone else, including two other artist-engravers who also issued prints of the Massacre that year. Twenty-one days before — on the night of March 5, 1770 — five men had been shot to death in Boston town by British soldiers. Precipitating the event known as the Boston Massacre was a mob of men and boys taunting a sentry standing guard at the city's customs house. When other British soldiers came to the sentry's support, a free-for-all ensued and shots were fired into the crowd. Four died on the spot and a fifth died after four days. Six others were wounded. The presence of British troops in Boston had long been a sore point among Boston's radical politicians. Paul Revere wasted no time in capitalizing on the Massacre to highlight British tyranny and stir up anti-British sentiment among his fellow colonists. As you will see, Revere's historic engraving is long on political propaganda and short on accuracy or aesthetics. Notice how the British Grenadiers are shown standing in a straight line shooting their rifles in a regular volley, whereas when the disturbance actually erupted both sides were belligerent and riotous. Notice also that Revere's engraving shows a blue sky. Only a wisp of a moon suggests that the riot occurred after nine o'clock on a cold winter night. Notice too the absence of snow and ice on the street, while Crispus Attucks — a black man lying on the ground closest to the British soldiers — is shown to be white. As an aside, it should be noted that as a result of his death in the Boston Massacre, Crispus Attucks would emerge as the most famous of all the black men to fight in the cause of the Revolution, and become its first martyr. Documentation has come to light over the years indicating that Revere copied engraver Henry Pelham's drawings of the Massacre, produced his own engraving, and three weeks after the occurrence was advertising his prints for sale in Boston's newspapers. By the time Pelham's prints hit the street, Revere's print had flooded the market. A third engraving was executed by Jonathan Mulliken, who also issued prints depicting the event. Except for a number of minor differences, all three prints appear alike. In his rush to produce his engraving Revere employed the talents of Christian Remick to colorize the print. Remick's choice of colors is simple yet effective. Notice the use of red for the British uniforms and the blood. Washington Art Smart 6 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 The other colors — blue, green, brown and black — all contribute to make this print what is arguably the most famous in America. Few historians would deny that the "Boston Massacre" proved to be a milestone in America's road to independence. By popularizing the tragic event, Paul Revere's print became "the first powerful influence in forming an outspoken anti-British public opinion," one which the revolutionary leaders had almost lost hope of achieving. More on the print: A sensationalized portrayal of the skirmish, later to become known as the "Boston Massacre," between British soldiers and citizens of Boston on March 5, 1770. On the right a group of seven uniformed soldiers, on the signal of an officer, fire into a crowd of civilians at left; three of the latter lie bleeding on the ground. Two other casualties have been lifted by the crowd. In the foreground is a dog; in the background are a row of houses, the First Church, and the Town House. Behind the British troops is another row of buildings including the Royal Custom House, which bears the sign (perhaps a sardonic comment) "Butcher's Hall." Beneath the print are 18 lines of verse, which begin: "Unhappy Boston! See thy Sons deplore, Thy hallowed Walks besmeared with guiltless Gore." Also listed are the "unhappy Sufferers" Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, Crispus Attucks, and Patrick Carr (killed) and it is noted that there were "Six wounded; two of them (Christopher Monk & John Clark) mortally." In order to make “Boston Massacre” Paul Revere cut into a sheet of copper using a tool called a burin (a steel cutting tool which is the essential tool of engraving). He cut or etched shapes and letters into the copperplate to make his design and words. He inked the etched or copperplate with black ink and pressed the copperplate on paper. He asked his friend Christian Remick to colorize the prints. Boston Massacre: A Behind-the-Scenes Look At Paul Revere's Most Famous Engraving taken from earlyamerica.com When Paul Revere first began selling his color prints of "The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street" in Boston, he was doing what any like-minded patriot with his talents in 1770 would have done. Only, Paul Revere did it faster and more expeditiously than anyone else, including two other artist-engravers who also issued prints of the Massacre that year. Washington Art Smart 7 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 Twenty-one days before — on the night of March 5, 1770 — five men had been shot to death in Boston town by British soldiers. Precipitating the event known as the Boston Massacre was a mob of men and boys taunting a sentry standing guard at the city's customs house. When other British soldiers came to the sentry's support, a free-for-all ensued and shots were fired into the crowd. Four died on the spot and a fifth died after four days. Six others were wounded. The presence of British troops in Boston had long been a sore point among Boston's radical politicians. Paul Revere wasted no time in capitalizing on the Massacre to highlight British tyranny and stir up anti-British sentiment among his fellow colonists. As you will see, Revere's historic engraving is long on political propaganda and short on accuracy or aesthetics. Notice how the British Grenadiers are shown standing in a straight line shooting their rifles in a regular volley, whereas when the disturbance actually erupted both sides were belligerent and riotous. Notice also that Revere's engraving shows a blue sky. Only a wisp of a moon suggests that the riot occurred after nine o'clock on a cold winter night. Notice too the absence of snow and ice on the street, while Crispus Attucks — a black man lying on the ground closest to the British soldiers — is shown to be white. As an aside, it should be noted that as a result of his death in the Boston Massacre, Crispus Attucks would emerge as the most famous of all the black men to fight in the cause of the Revolution, and become its first martyr. Documentation has come to light over the years indicating that Revere copied engraver Henry Pelham's drawings of the Massacre, produced his own engraving, and three weeks after the occurrence was advertising his prints for sale in Boston's newspapers. By the time Pelham's prints hit the street, Revere's print had flooded the market. A third engraving was executed by Jonathan Mulliken, who also issued prints depicting the event. Except for a number of minor differences, all three prints appear alike. In his rush to produce his engraving Revere employed the talents of Christian Remick to colorize the print. Remick's choice of colors is simple yet effective. Notice the use of red for the British uniforms and the blood. The other colors — blue, green, brown and black — all contribute to make this print what is arguably the most famous in America. Few historians would deny that the "Boston Massacre" proved to be a milestone in America's road to independence. By popularizing the tragic event, Paul Revere's print became "the first powerful influence in forming an outspoken anti-British public opinion," one which the revolutionary leaders had almost lost hope of achieving. Washington Art Smart 8 Lesson 7 (May): Printing Grade: 1 The Revolutionary War Easier - The Revolutionary War also called the American Revolution began in 1775. British soldiers and American patriots fought at Lexington, Massachusetts and nearby Concord. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris ended the war. Great Britain was forced to recognize the independence of the 13 colonies of the United States. Harder - The Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783) led to the birth of a new nation. The war began on April 19, 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. For about a decade, tension had been mounting between Great Britain and the American Colonies. The British government had passed a series of laws in an attempt to increase control over the colonies. But Americans had become used to having control over their local government. They objected to the new laws and protested being taxed without their consent. In 1775, Britain's Parliament declared Massachusetts, the center of most of the protests, to be in rebellion. British troops were placed in Boston to take swift action against the rebels. Shortly afterwards, war broke out. The Colonies were largely unprepared for war. They lacked a central government and had neither an organized army or navy. Delegates from the colonies formed the first Continental Congress, which took on the duties of a national government. Congress directed the war effort and voted to organize an army and a navy. George Washington, a wealthy Virginia landowner and former military officer, was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army. On July 4, 1776, the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, in which the colonies declared their freedom from British rule. Tension had been building between Great Britain and the American Colonies for more than 10 years before the Revolutionary War began. Starting in the mid1760's, the British government passed a series of laws to increase its control over the colonies. Americans had grown used to a large measure of self-government. They strongly resisted the new laws, especially tax laws. Fierce debate developed over the British Parliament's right to tax the colonies without their consent. Great Britain with its larger and better trained army and navy launched a huge land and sea effort to crush the revolution. However, they had to transport and supply its army across the Atlantic Ocean. As the war continued, the British won many battles but gained little from their victories. The American patriots always formed new forces and continued the fight. Taken from www.42explore2.com/revolt.htm Washington Art Smart 9
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