Gasparilla Pirate Map- Illustration and Navigational Skills

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=732

Tracing Tampa's Legendary Pirate History
(Universal Design)
Written by:  Liz Ebanks
National Art Teacher Award Recipient 

Thank you, for joining me on my last post entitled,
"PIRATE INVASION" at this link:
http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2010/09/gasparilla-pirate-postcard-history-and.html




Jose Gaspar Parade Float
Tampa, FL
Photo: Liz Ebanks ©2012

  As community ambassadors students’ navigational skills were engaged in illustrating compass points of major historical landmarks on their Gasparilla Pirate Maps. I facilitated literacy with progressive vocabulary lists for my students to choose from to illustrate in geographical order on their Gasparilla Pirate Maps. Each child's map was uniquely their own.  Students were empowered with the confidence to showcase their new skills in small supportive teams of buddy pairs to overcome barriers for a common goal. They read aloud the compass points that they selected from three different vocabulary lists and placed them in geographic order. My students gained navigational and communication skills when they practiced reading out loud, writing, and illustrating these landmarks-multiple means of engagement. By keeping my teacher demonstrations simple and short I incorporate Universal Design into the lesson.  I feel it is always critical to actively engage all students by modeling adaptive techniques regardless of ability.  Together they embarked on a quest to trace the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar and his mutinous crew’s Tampa Gasprarilla Parade celebration.     

Gasparilla Pirate Parade
Photo:  Liz Ebanks ©2012

     First, they illustrated the regenerative waters of the Fountain of Youth.  Then, they explored the grumbling gator’s swamp.  Next, they revealed how in 1904 a Tampa Tribune newspaper editor based the theme of the Tampa Festival on the adventurous pirate.  This led to a discussion on how Ye Mystic Krewe of city leaders in full pirate custom set sail from Tampa Bay to capture the mayor and take over the city for the day. Students are empowered with the confidence to showcase their new skills in small supportive teams of buddy pairs to overcome barriers for a common goal. The class advocated preserving the Florida Everglades, fragile reefs, and serene beaches for future generations.  When I contribute to their discussions by providing multiple supports this strengthens their knowledge. The children were provided with multiple opportunities to practice their skills as community ambassadors sharing their maps. They discovered how Gaspar’s buccaneers set sail for the Florida straits which lie South of the Florida Keys to hide their treasure of gold coins and jewels. 






Jose Gaspar Pirate Ship
Tampa, FL
Photo:  Liz Ebanks ©2012

        The Children invite the public to view the students published portfolios in the World's Largest Children's Museum http://www.artsonia.com/ and show your support. Each child can see the number of the guests that have viewed their work in the online gallery daily.

The direct links to the children's gallery and intro is:
http// www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=263154The lesson plan will be posted on www.artsonia.com

This year as the Teaching Artist I created a fill in the blank pirate postcard to test the students' reading comprehension. 




Liz Ebanks ©2012

 
Thanks for embarking with us on the PIRATE INVASION at this link:

http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2010/09/gasparilla-pirate-postcard-history-and.html 

The postcard questions are based on the webpage reading http://gasparillapiratefest.com/history.shtml

If you would like to see more photos from Gasparilla you might also enjoy this link to the TBO Gallery:
http://www2.tbo.com/list/gasparilla-2012/gallery/

The children thank you, for joining their art movement as environmental stewards to incorporate recycling into art to protect our priceless Florida endangered wildlife and ecosystems.

TIP:  Offer table risers to make group tables more accessible to wheelchair users.

TIP:  Reward students for staying on task each time they complete part of the project with verbal praise and a sticker. Establish goals for participants to experience success while working cooperatively as effective communicators.

TIP:  Nurture creativity in each student by celebrating different learning styles by combining expressive illustrations with strong calligraphy. Help participants uniquely demonstrate their skills through integrating the arts. 

TIP:  As an extension to this lesson, consider inviting students to transform their Pirate Maps into a second Gasparilla Postcard to invite friends to your student gallery.  Champion multiple means of communication to create better citizens.  Creative leadership is an asset to the community growth as technology continues to replace traditional jobs with machines.  

As a National Art Teacher Award Recipient my Art Workshops in Tampa are perfect for schools, camps, birthday parties, and museums.  For more information on booking your children before classes fill up
Email: liz@rescueteam.com

Join the RAIN FOREST EXPLORERS SPOTLIGHT UPCYCLING at this link to my next post:
http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2010/10/froggy-valentines-discussion-questions.html