Curriculum Resources for Teachers
The Following curriculum resources are available:

THE ART OF RICE: Spirit and Sustenance in Asia
Rice is a staple food for more than three billion people, mostly in Asia. This curriculum explores the immense cultural significance this grain has for the diverse peoples of South, Southeast, and East Asia and investigates the complex ways rice culture informs the expressive arts bridging sacred, secular, agricultural, political and economic domains. K-12 teachers will find learning opportunities in history/social sciences, visual and performing arts, language arts, and science. Each of the four units contain background information and suggested classroom activities. 8.5”x 11”. Set of 20 slides. Bibliography. 2004. $30.

ART OF THE LEGA: Meaning and Metaphor in Central Africa
The Art of the Lega curriculum resource unit investigates the culture and the art of the Lega peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among the Lega, art is only created for and used by the Bwami Society. Bwami is a complex organization consisting of multiple levels, and it forms an essential component of the political, social, and religious structure of the Lega. Within Bwami, artworks are used in conjunction with proverbs, anecdotes, and performances to form complex layered metaphors and to serve as mnemonic devices. As initiates move up through the ranks of the Bwami Society, they are exposed to a variety of different artworks that assist them in recalling a vast corpus of complex aphorisms. 8.5” x 11”, 110 pages, 96 illustrations, discography, bibliography (1999). Spiral-bound. Set of 20 slides and poster. $30.

BEADS, BODY, and SOUL: Art and Light in the Yoruba Universe
The brilliant beaded traditions of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria and their descendants in the Americas is the focus of this unit of study, developed in conjunction with the Museum's major exhibition on Yoruba beadwork. Teachers may explore a broad study of the Yoruba culture through lessons titled The Beaded Universe of the Yoruba Peoples; Points of Brightness, Signs of Power— Beads for the Gods; Diviner's Regalia—Beads and Ancient Wisdom; Marks of Authority Beads for Royalty; Egungun —Honoring Ancestors; and Beads: History and Activities. 8.5" x 11", 98 pages, 66 illustrations, 20 slides. Bibliography. 1998. Spiral-bound $30.

CERAMIC TREES OF LIFE: Popular Art from Mexico
This unit investigates the Fowler’s collection of Trees of Life, ceramic candelabra-like constructions whose elaborate decoration and structure often appear to defy gravity and the pottery medium itself. These trees embody aspects of ancient and indigenous traditions like those of the Maya, Aztec, and Mixtec. This unit explores the historic roots and narrative elements of this vibrant art form in addition to providing cross-disciplinary lessons that incorporate the sciences, math, and language arts. 8.5" x 11", 22 pages. Bibliography. 2003. $15

THE HERITAGE OF AFRICAN MUSIC
Developed in conjunction with The Heritage of African Music—an exhibition and education project co-sponsored by the California African American Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History—this music and art education unit of study surveys select musical traditions across Africa and honors the monumental contributions that African and African American music and musicians have made to the world’s musical landscape. Lessons reflect the objectives of the three exhibitions: unit 1, Music for the Eyes: The Fine Art of African Musical Instruments emphasizes the individual instrument and its aesthetic and sound-producing qualities; unit 2, Music in the Life of Africa, highlights four arenas of African musical experience (religion, family and community life, musical labor, and recreation); and unit 3, Rhythms of the Soul, traces the lineage of a distinct African-based musical heritage in the Diaspora. Each unit offers suggestions for instrument making, music making, listening, and critique, as well as visual arts, social studies, and literature-based experiences. A short listening/instructional audiotape and a discography of African and African American music are also included. 8.5” x 11”, 110 pages, 96 illustrations, discography, bibliography (1999). Spiral-bound, $30.

ISN’T S/HE A DOLL?: Play and Ritual in African Sculpture
This Curriculum Resource Unit was developed in conjunction with the Fowler exhibition Isn't S/He a Doll? Play and Ritual in African Sculpture, examining the rich variety of forms and functions that characterize African conceptions of dolls. The unit contains educational goals and objectives; maps; illustrations; four comprehensive lessons titled What is a Doll?; Dolls in Play; Dolls in Ritual; and Dolls in Collections. The lessons correlate with the California State Frameworks for Social Studies, Visual Arts, Science, and Literature, and with the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Textbook Series. Lessons include thought-provoking discussion questions suited to all grade levels. 8.5" x 11", 74 pages, 20 illustrations, 20 slides. Bibliography. 1997. Spiral-bound $25.

A QUIET SPIRIT
This curriculum resource unit presents a study of the Amish community and uses the construction and art of the pieced quilt as a metaphor for understanding Amish society. Sacred Patches, Growing up Amish, A sense of Community, and The Amish Quilt provide a framework of lessons around which teachers may design their studies of the Amish. Developed in conjunction with the exhibition, A Quiet Spirit: Amish Quilts from the Collection of Cindy Tietze and Stuart Hodash, this unit also includes introductory essays on Amish history and culture, quilt history, educational goals, curricular correlations, and glossary. Lessons are particularly well suited to larger discussions on American social and religious history. 8.5" x 11'', 70 pages, 34 illustrations, 20 slides. Bibliography. 1996. Spiral-bound: $25.

ROYAL TOMBS OF SIPAN
Developed in conjunction with the exhibition Royal Tombs of Sipan, this curriculum resource unit focuses on topics related to the Moche culture and the archaeological discoveries at Sipan in northern Peru, and enhances students' and teachers' general understanding of the other ancient civilizations of Peru. The unit contains an overview and rationale section; educational goals and objectives; eight comprehensive lessons on Ancient Civilizations of Peru, Moche Art and Iconography, and The Archaeological Excavations at Sipan; an extensive bibliography; and a glossary. The lessons correlate with the California State Frameworks for Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, Science, and Literature, and with the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Textbook Series. Lessons are geared toward 5 th-7 th grade, but may be easily adapted to other grade levels.8.5" x 11", 134 pages, 39 figures, 20 slides. Bibliography. 1993. Spiral-bound: $30.

SACRED ARTS OF HAITIAN VODOU
This publication is the first major Curriculum Resource Unit devoted to a broad overview of Haitian arts with a strong focus on the sacred arts of Vodou. Written in conjunction with the Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou exhibition, this unit builds and enhances teachers' and students' knowledge of Haiti and their understanding of Vodou and its vibrant arts. The unit contains an overview and rationale section; educational goals and objectives; maps; illustrations; 11 comprehensive lessons including Haiti and Haitians; Vodou Understanding the Religion; Sacred Arts, Sacred Traditions; and Vodou as Inspiration. The lessons correlate with the National Standards for United States History, the California State Frameworks for Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, Science, and Literature, and with the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Textbook Series. Lessons are geared toward 5th-grade, but may be easily adapted to other grade levels. 8.5" x 11",164 pages, 23 figures, 20 slides. Bibliography. 1995. Spiral-bound: $30.

A SAINT IN THE CITY: Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal
This unit provides background information about Islam, the dynamic work ethic and inspirational devotion of Mourides, and the central place of the arts within daily life in Senegal. The goal of this unit is to familiarize teachers and students to the many faces of Islam, its positive and peaceful place in Senegalese society, and to promote greater religious tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. Lessons cover the heritage of Islam in Africa, portrait of a saint, work as prayer, healing words, dress of devotion, and global networks. 8.5" x 11", 66 pages, 30 illustrations, 8 slides and 8 transparencies. Bibliography. 2003. Spiral-bound, $40.

WAYS OF THE RIVERS: Arts and Environment of the Niger Delta
This unit explores the arts and cultures of the Niger Delta. Emphasizing the importance of water and environment in daily and spiritual life, this major exhibition and curriculum resource unit focus on a multicultural assemblage of large-scale masks, water spirit headdresses, warrior figures, puppets, and ritual dress. The unit of study emphasizes issues related to the Delta’s environment, history, visual and performing arts, and traditions of growing up. This 85 page curricular unit includes educational goals, curricular correlations, background information, activities and discussions, a bibliography, and a set of twelve slides. Spiral-bound, $30.

WRAPPED IN PRIDE: Ghanaian Kente and African American Identity
The Wrapped in Pride curriculum resource unit presents a comprehensive study of Ghanaian kente cloth, focusing first on its making and significance in Ghana and then its recontextualization among African American communities in the United States. Nine art, social studies, and literature/writing lessons are developed through four distinct units: unit 1, The Leader, the People, the Nation provides a historical and art historical framework for the study of Ghana and its visual art traditions; unit 2 examines The Making and Design of Kente Cloth; The Contexts of Kente Use in Ghana are explored in unit 3; and unit 4, The Pan African Movement and Kente in the United States, examines kente as an international symbol of African heritage. Developed in conjunction with the NEH sponsored exhibition and scholarly volume of the same title, this unit also includes a poster, educational goals, curricular correlations, glossary, and bibliography. Lessons are particularly well suited to larger discussions on Ghanaian history, African textile studies, and American social history. 8.5” x 11”, 162 pages, 68 illustrations, 20 slides, bibliography (1998). Spiral-bound, $40.

SLIDES: $10 per set when available, if purchased separate from curriculum.

To receive an order form, please email our Education Department or call our front office at 310/825-4361, or you may send your order with a check made payable to UC REGENTS to:

Curriculum Resource Units
Education Department
UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History
Box 951549
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1549