Bates College Museum of Art: Thousand Words Projects

The lesson about Conventions can be viewed at http://www.bates.edu/

thousand-words-project/lessons/conventions/ without cost.

This segment examines a few of the conventions that apply to art and writing and
discusses the importance of following conventions in order to accurately communicate
ideas.

Lesson: Students will need to have an understanding of what is meant by

“conventions.” Remind them that conventions, in writing, are like the rules that should
be followed. Ask them to list a few writing rules they are familiar with. After basic
punctuation and capitalization rules are reviewed, take a look at some writing tips by
famous authors. One list created by Stephen King can be found at http://
www.openculture.com/2014/03/stephen-kings-top-20-rules-for-writers.html

Next, explain that the segment is going to explain how artists, too, have certain
conventions that they follow. Tell students to think about why conventions are important
as they watch the segment.

Ask students to revisit the writing they have completed on the specific image. They
should edit their own work for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation (according to
grade level expectations). Then, partners should trade written pieces for a peer edit.

Ideas for digging deeper into artists who don’t follow conventions - such as cubists - are
found at http://www.bates.edu/thousand-words-project/lessons/conventions/