Why "Picture" America?

Today you will go to the Picturing America website and read the background/purpose information for this program. That means you will need to click on the links found on the website and READ! (Don't just look at pictures today) What I want you to do then, is reflect on the things you have read and blog about the idea of "Picturing America".

• Why did The National Endowment for Humanities decide to teach about American history like this? (you might want to check out the FAQ's--frequently asked questions--on the website)
• What can you actually learn about American history from these pictures?
• Why were these pictures selected?
• Which pictures do you like and why?

When you are ready to blog about this, be sure to link to the Picturing America website so that your source is cited.

Picturing America and Silver

Silver of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Century

Various Artists

Take a close look at each of these silver pieces. You can look at each one close-up by clicking on Picturing America and then finding the picture and clicking on it. Then you will see numbers along the bottom that, when clicked, will pull up each piece separately.

Assignment #1

Now that you've looked at each piece, please
paste the picture on your blog and then respond to the following:

1. How are the teapots alike?
2. Which is the most angular?
3. Which teapots include both straight and rounded forms?
4. Which teapots seem most vertical?
5. Which teapot seems like a machine made it?
6. Why does Revere's teapot have a wooden handle?
7. Why was drinking tea a social even in the 17th century?
8. Why were 17th and 18th century teapots made of silver?
9. Which teapot would you rather use? Why?

Next, take a virtual tour of a silver mine. Go to Lebanon Silver Mine and take the field trip through the mining of silver. You can navigate this virtual trip by clicking on each photo in turn and then reading and clicking the links along the bottom of each picture. You can go to the next tour stop by clicking the next button along the left side of the screen.

Assignment #2

Now that you have taken the virtual mine tour, please respond to the following:

1. In stop 2, find out what kind of hammers are used and how miners were able to see in the mine.
2. In stop 5, find out the purpose of the change room.
3. Go through the tool shed in stop 8. What tools do you recognize and what do you think they were used for?
4. How was the mill powered?(stop 12.)
5. Would you have liked to be a miner? Why or why not?

Now, watch this video to see and hear how a blacksmith goes about turning that mined silver into a piece of art. Painting With a Hammer.

Assignment #3

1. Why do you think this video is titled "Painting With a Hammer?"
2. How does this relate to our reading selection "Philip Simmons: Blacksmith?"

You have the option of completing this Web Quest on your blog or as a comment to mine. Have fun and learning about the art of silver!

Picturing America

I hope that you have noticed the many wonderful pictures we have hanging around the building. They are from Picturing America which is a new initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Using the artwork provided, you will be able to gain a deeper appreciation for our countries history. Please check our their website. You will be able to find all of the artwork there and can even click images to get a closer look.


This week I want you all to look at 4 pieces and respond to them on your own blog.

Benjamin Franklin, 1862
by Hiram Powers
List 3 details that make you think this is a statue of a man who lived long ago.


Quilts: 19th-20th Century
Various Artists
Choose the quilt you like the best and give reasons for your choice.


Migrant Mother, 1936
by Dorothea Lange
What do you think this mother is thinking about? List details from the photo that support your idea.


"Sans Arc Lakota" Ledger Book, 1880-1881
By Black Hawk
List 3 patterns that you see in this piece.

Each picture has a specific response for you to address, but you may also respond with your own reactions/feelings about the picture. Remember, your writing is for all to see, so be careful to write in a way that you would be proud for others to see.
Create a new posting for each picture and title it with picture's name.

Please locate and upload the image to your blog before responding.

Here's how:
1.) Open a New Post on your blog.
2.) Click the "Add Image" icon on the toolbar. (it's the picture of land and sky)
3.) Click the "Browse" button.
4.) Locate the I:Drive (BGAssign) and then go to 6th: Dresler: Picturing America
5.) Double click one of the pictures
6.) Click "Upload Image"
The picture will automatically appear on your blog and you are now ready to respond to the prompt that I have posted above.

Happy Blogging!

Mrs. Dresler