### 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.