Allignment to Nebraska State Standards
The “My Nebraska, Our America” toolkit was created with middle school students in mind, knowing that teachers may choose to use the toolkit with students in elementary school or high school as well. The activities are easily adapted to older or younger students. Visit Nebraska’s Social Studies Standards website or Nebraska’s Arts Education Standards website to learn more.
Nebraska's Social Studies State Standards
NE.SS 8.1.2.a Demonstrate ways individuals participate in the political process.
NE.SS 8.1.2.b Analyze the significance of patriotic symbols, songs and activities in terms of historical, social, and cultural contexts
NE.SS 8.1.2.c Demonstrate civic engagement.
NE.SS 8.1.2.d Describe how cooperation and conflict among people have contributed to political, economic, and social events and situations in the United States.
NE.SS 8.3.2.a Evaluate physical and human characteristics of places and regions.
NE.SS 8.3.3.a Interpret the impact of natural processes on human and physical environments.
NE.SS 8.4.1.a Evaluate the impact of people, events, and ideas, including various cultures and ethnic groups, on the United States.
NE.SS 8.4.2.a Compare and interpret evidence from multiple perspectives and sources to better understand the complexities of US history.
NE.SS 8.4.3.a Identify how differing experiences can lead to the development of perspectives.
NE.SS 8.4.4.b Evaluate the relationships among historical events in the United States and relevant contemporary issues.
Nebraska's Visual Arts State Standards
NE.FA 8.2.1 - Students will use the creative process to investigate and communicate personal voice in artwork. Learning activity in this toolkit: Brainstorm, sketch, and communicate creative concepts.
NE.FA 8.2.1.a - Investigate ideas and materials (glossary) to demonstrate planning and refining. Learning activity in this toolkit: Plan/refine using materials and team feedback.
NE.FA 8.2.1.b - Recognize personal voice and make stylistic choices to reflect personal identity. Learning activity in this toolkit: Select colors, images that reflect personal meaning.
NE.FA 8.2.1.c - Engage in the sensory experience and relate it to making expressive artwork. Learning activity in this toolkit: Reflect on the sensory power of murals/sculptures.
NE.FA 8.2.1.d - Investigate and apply relationships between elements of art and principles of design) to brainstorm visual possibilities (e.g., consider a variety of images and determine how line and value create emphasis in art). Learning activity in this toolkit: Apply design principles to team critiques.
NE.FA 8.2.1.f - Demonstrate respect for accepted procedures regarding responsible care of equipment and materials. Learning activity in this toolkit: Respectful/safe care of art supplies. Discuss different materials that would be suitable for public art.
NE.FA.8.2.2.2 Students will understand and apply their knowledge of a variety of presentation and communication techniques.
NE.FA 8.2.2.c - Explore how the meaning of art can be affected by the presentation mode or venue (e.g., reproduction, digital, social media (glossary), or original museum/gallery experience). Learning activity in this toolkit: Present via student-designed venues, digital and live.
NE.FA.8.2.3 - Students will use the critical process (glossary) to compare and contrast multiple works of art, learning about themselves in the world. Learning activity in this toolkit: Investigate and compare multiple examples of public art.
NE.FA.8.2.3.a Identify and describe themes and styles in works of art.
Learning activity in this toolkit: Discuss how public art and community input into public art projects shapes the work.
NE.FA 8.2.3.c Compare and contrast various interpretations of themes, styles, and mood. Learning activity in this toolkit: Examine public art examples in different cities and spaces.
NE.FA.8.2.3.d Explain why a work of art can evoke different interpretations and how artwork is interpreted and evaluated by the way it is displayed or presented. Learning activity in this toolkit: Discuss how public art integrates into public spaces, becoming part of the community or neighborhood in which it is presented.
NE.FA.8.2.4 Students will examine the significance of art in contemporary, historical, and cultural context in art and life.
NE.FA.8.2.4.d Explain how images and objects are used to convey a story, familiar experience, or connection to the world. Learning activity in this toolkit: Explain how art shares stories and familiar experiences.