# Lesson Plan: Art Appreciation for Grade 2
### Objective:
Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of different styles of art and be able to express their own interpretations and feelings about artworks.
### Materials Needed:
- Art postcards or prints of famous paintings (Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, etc.)
- Construction paper
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils
- Paint (watercolors and/or tempera)
- Brushes
- Pencils and erasers
- Small mirrors (optional)
- Art smocks or old shirts
- Whiteboard and markers
### Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
- National Core Arts Standards (NCAS): Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting.
### Time Frame:
1 hour
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### Introduction (10 minutes):
1. **Greeting and Objective:**
- Welcome the students and explain that today’s lesson is about appreciating different styles of art.
- Introduce the concept of art appreciation and what it means to appreciate art (e.g., recognizing and enjoying different types of art).
2. **Quick Artist/Art Style Overview:**
- Briefly introduce some famous artists (e.g., Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso) and their unique styles.
- Show a few art postcards or prints of their work, explaining key characteristics.
---
### Main Activities (40 minutes):
#### Activity 1: Art Gallery Walk (15 minutes)
1. **Setup:**
- Arrange prints of various artworks around the classroom, creating a mini art gallery.
2. **Instructions:**
- Explain the concept of a gallery walk.
- Divide students into small groups and guide them in walking around the classroom to observe the artworks.
3. **Discussion Prompts:**
- As they observe, ask guiding questions like:
- “What do you see in this picture?”
- “What colors do you notice?”
- “How does this artwork make you feel?”
4. **Group Sharing:**
- After the walk, gather students and let them share their favorite artwork and why they liked it.
#### Activity 2: Create Your Own Masterpiece (25 minutes)
1. **Instructions:**
- Ask students to think about the art styles they’ve observed and decide if they want to try to create something in the style they liked or create their own unique piece.
2. **Creating Art:**
- Provide construction paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints, and brushes.
- Encourage students to start drawing or painting their own piece of art.
- Walk around the room providing guidance and support as needed.
3. **Reflection:**
- Give students small mirrors (optional) to look at their own faces if they want to create self-portraits.
---
### Conclusion (10 minutes):
1. **Gallery Display:**
- Have students display their artwork around the room.
2. **Class Gallery Walk:**
- Conduct a mini gallery walk where each student can see their classmates' artwork.
3. **Sharing:**
- Gather the students in a circle and allow volunteers to explain their artwork and why they created it.
4. **Closing Remarks:**
- Recap what they learned about art appreciation and encourage them to continue exploring and creating art.
### Assessment:
- Participation during discussions and activities.
- Ability to express their thoughts and feelings about different artworks.
- Creation of a personal piece of art inspired by the lesson.
### Extension Activity:
- Visit a local art museum, if possible, to see actual artworks.
- Incorporate technology by showing a virtual tour of a famous art museum.
- Encourage students to bring in or share pictures of artwork they find at home or in their community.
### Teacher's Reflection:
- Did the students engage with the topic well?
- Were they able to express their perceptions and feelings about the artworks?
- How effectively did they apply what they learned in their own artwork?
- What could be improved for the next art appreciation lesson?