Project of the Aventura Cultural in Madrid: "Pablo Picasso, Guernica, Spanish Civil War"

By teaching my students about the tragedy of Guernica and Picasso's painting "Guernica" I hope to help students to understand what inspired Pablo Picasso to create it, shape their own attitude toward cruelties of war, think about multiple Guernicas which happened after 1937, condemn them, condemn the war, and call for piece.

The Legacy of Guernica.

Guernica, one of the most world renowned paintings of the twentieth century, has become a symbol of peace. The atrocities committed against civilians by the bombing Guernica, was inspiration of Pablo Picasso. The display of this monumental painting at the Spanish Pavilion during the 1937 World's Fair in Paris brought international attention to the Spanish Civil War. Guernica is a perpetual reminder of horrors of war and the misery left behind. Guernica is an anti-war symbol and an embodiment of peace.

Objectives:

Through the lessons dedicated to this project students will be able to:

- to distinguish Pablo Picasso's paintings

- understand and explain the historic events (Spanish Civil War) that inspired Pablo Picasso to create his master piece Guerinica;

- observe and use their imagination in giving their own interpretation of the images of "Guernica" and explain how it would present the point of view of Pablo Picasso;

-identify the theme, tone, purpose, characters, and symbols of the painting;

-describe the different techniques used by Pablo Picasso in creating "Guernica";

-express their own feelings about "Guernica" and the event it represents in a short essay.

The steps and procedures in the achieving the objectives:

Part one: Introduction to Guernica.

1. Let students to observe a copy of the painting Guernica write a list the different images on the painting, describe in writing the events based on the symbols they discovered and their impression from the painting. Then each student will share his/her responses and hypothesis.

Part two: Historical events that lead to the Creation of Guernica.

1. Students will go to the http://ehsworldlanguages.com/aventuraproject.html and together with the teacher, using given to them vocabulary list and dictionaries will read and translate a pertaining to the topic information. Then they will continue their internet research about historical events related to the Spanish Civil War and the bombing of Guernica.

2. Discuss the political events in Spain in 1936 - 1939. Review the story of the bombing of Guernica (will be posted on the site later). Watch the movie "Lengua de las mariposas" and documentary from PBS. Discuss the political environment in Spain at that time.

Part three: Pablo Picasso.

1. Introduce Pablo Picasso in http://ehsworldlanguages.com/aventuraproject.htm and then present a documentary on Picasso's work and life. Let students to make their own research on Picasso's biography and different periods of his work.

2. Ask students to write the list of his accomplishments.

3. Ask students to choose their favorite painting and present it to the class.

Part four: Guernica and it's symbols.

1. Ask the students to observe different symbols of the painting "Guernica" and give their own interpretation after having done all the work and research.

2. Discuss with the students the tone and stiles that Picasso used for "Guernica"

3. Ask student to express in writing their opinion on the message given to people by Pablo Picasso in "Guernica".