Lesson Introduction or Hook

Ask the following questions out loud: Can anyone name a historical figure on the US quarter? How about a historical woman on a US quarter? Now finally, how about a historical Afro-Latina on the US quarter? Once several students have shared their answers with the class, let them know this lesson is celebrating the career and legacy of Celia Cruz. She is only one of twenty women currently on US quarters. Share print out of US Quarter Release to each student.

Similarly, ask students if anyone knows what it’s called when a performer wins an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award in their career? Do you know who was the first and so far, only Latina to have won one? Rita Moreno is the correct answer and they will study alongside Celia Cruz today. Students will see how the performing arts created a stage for them both to express their identities as Latin Americans and tell the story of our shared humanity. Share print out of Rita Moreno Bio with each student.

Direct Instruction

Drawing and painting can be very energetic. For that reason, it is an ideal way to explore these vibrant figures known for their joyful vitality. In this lesson students will create original artwork inspired by these two influential women in the arts.
 

Read excerpts from Rita Moreno’s bio.
Alexander, Kerri Lee. “Rita Moreno.” National Women’s History Museum. 2019. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/rita-moreno.

Read excerpts from Celia Cruz’s bio.
Prieto, Laura R. “Celia Cruz.” National Women’s History Museum. 2024. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/celia-cruz.

As a class, come up with different line qualities on the board.

Ex: straight line, curly line, zig zag line, faint lines and rough lines.

What kind of music genre would you associate with a straight line or a zig zag? There is no right or wrong answer here. This is meant to encourage students to feel comfortable thinking visually. Since the final product will be abstract art, remind the class as to the difference between abstract and figurative art.

Ex: figurative art is a literal representation of a tree or dog while abstract art uses shape, color and form to represent something that may or may not be seen with the eye.

Guided Practice

Use the example of a short piece of classical music. Ex: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Mv 1.

As the piece is played, demonstrate on a large format paper or white board how you would compose an abstract work based on the music being collectively heard. Along the way ask them for adjectives they would use for the music. What feelings and colors come to mind when this is heard? Even though this is abstract art there is NO scribble scrabble allowed.

Play the song snippet again and this time on small scrap paper students ‘sketch’ with a pencil. Tell the class upfront that this is only a warmup to get comfortable with abstraction.
 

_{Example of how the educator can compose their demo; a piece by Wassily Kandinsky.}

Independent Practice

Set out an array of art materials and large heavy weight paper (ideally 18x24 100lb or higher paper weight) in front of students. Play Carnegie Hall video and West Side Story clip as the audio/visual content. If time permits these clips can be played once for watching actively and a second time students passively listen as they make their art. Encourage students to be intentional, confident, and take their time. Allow some time afterwards for finishing touches.

Differentiation / Accommodations

Materials can be gauged up and down depending on the group of students. More advanced students can use collaging materials and paints. This project can also be simplified by limiting materials to just crayons and paper.

Formative Assessment

Group sharing and discussion. This is a good place to ask the essential questions to elicit open conversation.
 

Summative Assessment

Students will use index cards to write a short paragraph that will be their ‘exhibition information card’ which will be hung up next to their finished work. Just like information cards in museums help the audience have a broad view of a show with necessary historical context, these writings should summarize who Celia Cruz and Rita Moreno are and why they are important figures in U.S. culture.