Sarah Hersey

3998629

Lesson Plan Part Two (Art in History Art - 9th-12th grade )

VA.912.S.1.3 Interpret and reflect on cultural and historical events to create art.

Overview: In this lesson, students learn about arts historical and cultural context and create their own
pieces with historical context.
Essential Question: Why do people create art in response to the events happening around them, and
what can we learn about history from art?
Resources: Students will use online research sites and apps to independently choose a cultural or
historic event/milestone/etc; students will use assessment handouts and rubrics to have additional
information to keep on their person and to understand the expectations for the assignment; students will
view an interactive presentation on works of art from significant historical periods. Students should
know how to use an iPad or tablet and the internet.
Preparation: The foundations of this lesson are based in history and research. Students should have
some knowledge of significant historical events (appropriate to grade level i.e. American Revolution,
Civil War, French Revolution, WWII). Students should have an interest in art or art history (history
would also be helpful). Evaluation of students prior knowledge can take place in-class via iPad apps
that allow entire class to answer questions (similar to iClicker). Students may have difficulty
understanding historical events and isolating the theme in a piece of art.
Management: Students will work in class and will complete artwork not finished in class for
homework.
Lesson: The lesson will be broken down into two components first, identifying, analyzing, and
discussing specific historical/cultural themes in art based on their historical/cultural context (using
Prezi presentation and iPads to view art with art gallery app and then answer questions to confirm
student understanding of concepts); the second component is to create a piece of art (medium: pencil &
colored pencil, marker, or pastel) using a historical or cultural event with clearly identifiable themes
that are related to the event the student has chosen. Class discussion and presentation (first half hour)
will focus on pieces such as Guernica and The Death of Marat, pieces significant to war/conflict and
how we can identify the message/sentiment/theme the artist is portraying based on the context. Uses of
the elements and principles of art will be reinforced by connecting them to the portrayal of events (i.e.
value, color, contrast). The interactive Prezi presentation focuses on these two pieces, and students will
view part of a video on Guernica. Summarizing discussion and iPad quiz (following 15 minutes) will
be used to confirm students understand concepts. Students will then use the iPad for 15-20 minutes
(max) to choose a historical or cultural event to create a piece of artwork about. With teacher approval,
students have next half hour to begin working (dry media only minimize cleanup time and easier to
do for homework) on their piece (9x12 paper) and will complete it for homework and first 15 minutes
of class in the following class meeting.

Learning Activities: Learning will be reinforced with iPad quiz; students will receive feedback by
automatically viewing the correct answers. Learning will also be reinforced with the creation of their
own piece, because they will have to demonstrate that they understand the concept of connecting theme
and context to art. Feedback will be given by the teacher.
Enrichment: The student can practice and go further in this lesson by visiting the teacher-approved Art
Education sites with games and activities (sites will be posted on the teacher website). The
games/activities will generate instant feedback to confirm student understanding of concepts.