Teaching the Great Migration through the Paintings of Jacob Lawrence

Three main ingredients are used by educators in order to deliver content to elementary school students in an effective manner. We begin by planning our lessons with clear objectives and outcomes. Once those are established we develop a plan to fulfill the lesson’s purpose. While we consider the plan, it is then essential to include material that will have the greatest impact on our students. Many times the materials used are visual elements that allow a teacher to illustrate and emphasize their goals more effectively than words alone could. Working in an environment where the majority of learners are visual, educators integrate the visual arts into their lessons, allowing opportunities for paintings, murals, and photography to be used as a lens to interpret and interact with history in an engaging manner. Using museums’ exhibits, photography, and paintings allow for rich materials that bring learning in the classroom alive. The Great Migration series of paintings by Jacob Lawrence offers an excellent example of the way art can support learning objectives related to the mass migration of African Americans from the South to the North in search of a better life. Lawrence was not a direct witness to the migration, but he conducted extensive research to compile a story of the events. Students can critically examine this story and reflect on the artist’s interpretations of the events. Students then can question how Lawrence’s paintings match history and the photographs taken from the time period. They can also discuss and examine what events were left out and why. Educators strive to help learners build their ability to use art in the construction of knowledge that supports their units of study.