This volume is all about MASTERPIECES
Respect the masterpiece. It is true reverence to man. There is no quality so great, none so much needed now. Frank Lloyd Wright
Challenge #1:
An Architectural Masterpiece
Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect. One of his most well known designs is Fallingwater, a house that was built partly over a waterfall. Can you build a house that integrates nature?
Imagine that you are an architect designing a new home for a garden gnome. Your client has requested that you build the structure around nature. What do you need to do to ensure that the building is stable? What nature will you incorporate? Will you build with household materials or build outside out with natural materials?
Work through the design process and then share your final product!
Challenge #2:
A Literary Masterpiece
Before Disney made it an animated classic, Peter Pan was actually a famous piece of literature called Peter & Wendy. It was written as a play first, and then as a novel in 1911. Do you know the story of Peter Pan?
Read or listen to this masterpiece of literature below. Then, find a shorter version to read on Epic. Compare and contrast the original version with the one you read.
Make up your own stories featuring Peter Pan characters. What do you think Peter did next? If you could go along with Peter on one of the adventures in the book, which one would you choose, and why?
From Common Sense Media: "Parents need to know that the original language in Peter Pan is rich, and the story, so much a part of our culture, inspires children to dream. Parents should be prepared to discuss the racial and gender stereotypes, which were typical in 1904, when the book was originally published."
CHALLENGE #3
A Musical Masterpiece
The William Tell Overture was a masterpiece written to open an opera by Gioachino Rossini. It was the first piece of music played over the radio! The opera is called William Tell, named after the main character in the story. William Tell helped lead a revolt against a mean leader. Part of the legend is that the mean leader caught William Tell and his son, and told William that his son wouldn’t be hurt if William could use a bow and arrow and shoot the arrow through an apple placed on his son’s head...and he did it!
Rossini wasn't a fancy composer, but he was a popular composer. Listen to the 5-minute podcast describing this piece. Then, watch a symphony performance. You can even try playing along!
Write a a new story with no dialogue that has this music as the background. Find some characters (people, stuffed animals, mini-figures, etc.) to act out your silent scenes. Think: how can my characters tell the story with no words? How can my characters match what is happening in the music?
Record a video of your characters acting out your story with the William Tell Overture playing in the background. Share it!
Challenge #4
An Art Masterpiece
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most famous artists of all time. He created many masterpieces. Let's focus on his piece, The Bedroom. Did you know that Van Gogh only lived to be 37? In his lifetime, he moved 37 times. That means 37 different bedrooms to call his own. Why do you think this one was special?
Van Gogh made three versions of this painting, and they show his growth as an artist. Can you show your growth mindset as you create something multiple times? Try it. Make a list of what improved as you moved on from your first try.
Try making a 3D replica of this painting. Or, follow the same directions but use your bedroom as a model.
Credits:
Created with images by Clem Onojeghuo - "Man in gallery" • Joshua Kantarges - "untitled image" • Claudia Lorusso - "Fallingwater House, Frank Lloyd Wright, Pennsylvania" • Joshua Kantarges - "untitled image" • Unknown - "ピーターパン | めちゃ人気!!iPhone壁紙DJ" • Joshua Kantarges - "untitled image" • Manuel Nägeli - "Orchestra rehearsal" • Joshua Kantarges - "untitled image" • Jean Carlo Emer - "untitled image" • Joshua Kantarges - "untitled image"