Popular instruments known to the Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican world were drums and wind instruments. These wind instruments were whistles, ocarinas, and simple flutes and panpipes of wood or terra cotta. Whistles were made for two main purposes-as toys and as instruments to be used in various rituals. These different Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican cultures used these to brighten their lives and amuse their children. They made their whistles to resemble the things around them and often mixed fiction with reality. Mr. Obermeyer's 6th grade students studied the cultures of the Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican era and created their own Zoomorphic Whistles based on samples brought to class by Mr. O. from Mexico and Costa Rica. Students were encouraged to create fantasy animals (Effigy Figures) with unique patterns and colors to communicate emotions or ideas
The following SOL's were covered:
6.20 Students will determine the value of problem solving in art production.
6.21 Students will use problem solving strategies to communicate ideas about three dimensional form and space.
6.22 Students will use problem solving strategies to create artwork that communicates emotions or ideas.
Students photographed their art using a turntable and a digital camera to create the virtual reality examples below.