Lesson Plan for Year 12 - Art - Art Crit

### Year 12 Art Lesson Plan: Art Criticism #### Lesson Topic: Understanding and Practicing Art Criticism #### Duration: 90 Minutes --- #### Objectives: 1. **Knowledge**: Students will understand the components and purpose of art criticism. 2. **Skills**: Students will learn to analyze and critique artwork effectively. 3. **Application**: Students will practice writing a formal art critique. #### Materials: - Projector/computer for displaying images. - Selected prints or digital images of various artworks (consider including a range from different periods and styles). - Handouts with guidelines for art critique. - Notebooks and pens/pencils. - Whiteboard and markers. #### Standards Met: - Visual Arts: Research and Analysis - Language Arts: Critical Writing and Presentation --- ### Lesson Plan: #### Introduction [10 minutes] 1. **Greeting and Roll Call** 2. **Hook**: Show a high-interest, provocative piece of art (e.g., "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dalí). 3. **Discuss**: Engage students by asking, “What emotions does this piece evoke for you?” “What elements of the work stand out?” #### Direct Instruction [20 minutes] 1. **Introduction to Art Criticism**: Explain that art criticism involves describing, analyzing, interpreting, and judging a piece of art. 2. **Four Steps of Art Criticism**: - **Description**: What do you see? (Include elements of art like line, shape, color, texture, and form). - **Analysis**: How is the work organized? (Focus on principles of design such as balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity). - **Interpretation**: What is happening? What is the artist’s message or theme? - **Judgment**: What do you think of the work? Is it successful? 3. **Example Analysis**: Walk through a critique using these steps together as a class. #### Guided Practice [20 minutes] 1. **Group Activity**: Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a different artwork. 2. **Group Discussion**: Each group will apply the four steps to their assigned artwork. 3. **Share Out**: Groups present their analyses to the class. Encourage others to ask questions or provide additional insights. #### Independent Practice [25 minutes] 1. **Individual Assignment**: Select a new artwork for individual critique. - Provide students with handouts that outline and remind them of the four steps. - Encourage complete sentences and structured paragraphs. 2. **Write Critique**: Students write a formal art critique (300-500 words). #### Reflection and Conclusion [15 minutes] 1. **Sharing and Discussion**: Invite volunteers to share their critiques. 2. **Feedback**: Provide positive feedback and constructive criticism. 3. **Q&A**: Open the floor for any questions about the process of art criticism. 4. **Summary**: Recap the importance and value of art criticism in understanding and appreciating art. #### Homework: 1. **Extended Critique**: Students select an artwork of their choice (can be a poster, painting, sculpture, etc.) from outside the classroom and write a thorough critique following the four steps. #### Assessment: - Participation in group discussion and critique. - Quality and depth of individual written critiques. - Ability to articulate thoughts and analysis during class discussions. --- ### Tips: - Select a diverse range of artworks, ensuring representation from different cultural, historical, and stylistic backgrounds. - Encourage respectful dialogue and multiple interpretations. Remind students there are often no right or wrong answers in art criticism, just well-supported opinions. - Use this lesson to build not only art appreciation but also critical thinking and writing skills that are valuable in multiple disciplines.