This fall, art classes at Chapel Hill Academy took a South America tour as they explored the theme of the “No Drama Llama.”
First, students made miniature sculptures of llamas by constructing a skeleton out of wood, then shaped the outer body with wool and finally added colorful embellishments.
Next, off they went exploring in their “boat” to Peru with Ms. Janet as the tour guide and Ms. Jill as the captain. While in Peru, students experienced llamas in their natural habitat, learned about the value of their wool and met two of the llama’s cousins, the alpaca and the vicunas.
The highlight of the trip was traveling to the famous Lake Titicaca, home to more than 50 man-made floating islands woven out of reeds and grasses by residents. Students were excited to see homes and even schools on the islands where Quechua people build their houses and even a school for their children. The indigenous people make a living by weaving beautiful blankets out of the wool harvested from llamas and dyed using roots and berries. The students showed great interest in a lesson on weaving and created beautiful wall hangings inspired by the textiles they learned about.
It is important for students to experience world culture across the curriculum. While much of what we did was part of an art lesson plan, learning included history, economics, language, and even careers.
– Janet Dunleavy, Art Teacher
