Entry 8 - A Small-World Approach

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

I thought about this painting when I read this article. Fertig and Silverman (2007) mentioned in the lesson that the students went to four places then discussed the people and activities they saw. In this painting I feel it represents what we can see in our everyday which is different ages and activities happening around us. There are men, women, children of different ages, people having a picnic, those who are alone, and there are even pets in the park. I think that by having a park most students can make a connection of themselves in that environment. If I were to do this lesson I would start with this painting and ask for my students to write a list of what they see. Then next to that list write what they typically do or see if they are in a similar environment. After we would talk and compare our two lists that were made. They may notice that they do not see very much so they need to become more aware of their surroundings. They may also see how they are just like the people in the painting who reflect a community relaxing together on a beautiful day.