Grades: 5-8: Let's Get Packing!
Lesson Three
Artist Sam Rodia: Upward Spiral
Sam Rodia emigrated from Serino, Italy. He told one interviewer that his parents had sent him to America when he was fourteen; and it is likely that they encouraged their sons to leave home in order to avoid the military draft, which became mandatory in 1865, four years after Italy achieved statehood. Economics may have been another reason for breaking up the family . His construction of the Watts Towers in California was largely influenced by architecture and local festival traditions from his homeland in southern Italy.
Contrast images of Rodia's towers with images of the Italian structures and events that inspired him. Discuss the following questions as a class.
Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways are the Watt's Towers similar to the design of those constructed for Festa del Giglio in Nola, Italy? How are the towers similar to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa?
2. How are Watt's towers uniquely different from these Italian structures?
3. What materials do you think Rodia used to create his towers?
4. Contrast the various perspectives as seen in the photographs. How does what you see change when viewed from a distance, and then viewed from inside? What details do you notice from each angle?
Student Connection: Sharing Our Stories
The reasons why people immigrate to new countries are numerous. During the era in which Rodia immigrated, it was common for many European countries to force young men into military service. Financially times were hard for many people also, and America offered a fresh start and inexpensive land.
Immigration is still an important issue today in our country. Research the reasons that people are presently immigrating to the United States, and compare these reasons to immigration over a hundred years ago. What new issues have arisen? What issues are still the same? Click on the following link to read three accounts of students who have recently immigrated to the United States. Student Accounts
Working with other teachers, put together a panel discussion of new and old immigrants to your school. If you do not have an immigrant population in your school, reach out to the larger community, inviting both newcomers and long-time residents to visit your school. Prep all panelists so that they will each talk for a few minutes on the experience of immigrating to the United States-the positives and the negatives. Allow panelists to question one another. Conclude the session by reading the panelists questions that you have previously collected from students and screened .
Encourage students to learn more about their own family history and migration patterns. Interview older relatives to gain valuable oral history accounts, and to construct a family tree. Refer to old family photos. You can learn a lot about people of the past by looking at their clothing styles, hairstyles, backdrops, and the objects they are holding. The following links will help students research more about the culture, dress, music, food, and languages of their ancestors:
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