Synopsis: This curriculum unit introduces my art students to Ageism. According to the World Health Organization Ageism is defined as a stereotype (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.1 Having a negative attitude about aging can lead to poor health. Who says that when you get to be 100 years old you can’t do jumping jacks, run, create collages, or catch lobsters? 

As my 4th graders learn about the effects of ageism, they will look at two artists that painted portrait progressions, Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh. The third artist my students will look at is Eunice Parsons, a collage artist that started her work at the age of 34 and continues her artistic practice at the age of 108. The 4th graders will draw themselves now and 60 years older with the help of an app. The 4th graders will look at Eunice Parsons and her artistic medium of paper collage. Eunice Parsons was born in 1916, making her 108 in 2024 and creates paper collages every day. My 4th grade students will create a collage like Eunice Parsons’ work. Later my students will partner up with a high school student to create a collage about their own futures. As a cumulative project, the 4th graders will create visual memoirs using a software called book creator to add their collages and self-portrait progressions along with artist statements about their work. Creating visual memoirs through writing and art will establish a strong foundation for students to understand the creative process and to express their views on aging.