### Grade 8 Art Lesson Plan: Art History (Renaissance to Modern)
#### Lesson Duration:
3 class periods of 50 minutes each
#### Objectives:
- Students will explore and understand the major art movements from the Renaissance to Modern Art.
- Students will be able to identify key characteristics and influential artists of each movement.
- Students will create a piece of artwork inspired by one of the studied art periods.
- Students will present their artwork and share their understanding of the chosen art movement.
#### Material Needed:
- PowerPoint presentation or visual aids on different art periods
- Art supplies: sketchbooks, pencils, erasers, acrylic paints, brushes, canvas or heavy paper
- Handouts with key points on each art movement
- Computers or tablets with internet access for research
- Worksheet for the final artwork project
#### Day 1: Introduction to Art History
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin with a brief discussion on what students understand by "Art History."
- Explain the importance of studying different art movements and how they influence modern art.
**2. Renaissance Art (20 minutes)**
- Show a PowerPoint presentation highlighting Renaissance art.
- Discuss key characteristics: emphasis on realism and humanism, the use of perspective, and notable artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
- Show examples of artworks such as "Mona Lisa," "David," and "The School of Athens."
**3. Activity – Quick Sketch (10 minutes)**
- Have students do a quick sketch of a portrait in Renaissance style focusing on realism and proportion.
**4. Homework (10 minutes)**
- Hand out research worksheet for students to fill out key facts about Renaissance art to be discussed in the next class.
#### Day 2: Baroque to Impressionism
**1. Review and Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Brief review of Renaissance facts from their worksheets.
- Discussion on what they learned and any questions they might have.
**2. Baroque and Rococo (15 minutes)**
- Present key characteristics of Baroque art: dramatic use of light and shadow, intense emotion, and movement. Mention artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt.
- Briefly discuss Rococo: ornate, light, and playful elements. Mention artists like François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
**3. Impressionism (15 minutes)**
- Discuss the characteristics of Impressionism: focus on light and color, often painted outdoors, and visible brushstrokes. Mention artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
- Show examples of artworks like "Impression, Sunrise" and "Ballet Rehearsal."
**4. Activity – Impressionist Painting (10 minutes)**
- Students start painting a small landscape using the Impressionist style—quick, short brushstrokes, and bright colors.
**5. Homework (5 minutes)**
- Students to choose one Baroque or Impressionist artwork and write a short paragraph on what they like about it.
#### Day 3: Modern Art and Art Project
**1. Review and Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Share and discuss students’ favorite Baroque or Impressionist artworks.
**2. Modern Art (20 minutes)**
- Discuss key movements within Modern Art such as Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Abstract Expressionism.
- Show notable examples and artists: Pablo Picasso (Cubism), Salvador Dalí (Surrealism), Andy Warhol (Pop Art), Jackson Pollock (Abstract Expressionism).
- Highlight characteristics: breaking away from tradition, use of abstraction, experimentation with materials and forms.
**3. Final Art Project (20 minutes)**
- Students choose an art movement they learned about and create a piece of artwork inspired by it.
- Provide them with the necessary supplies and give them time to begin their projects.
**4. Presentation (Homework/Next Class)**
- Assign students to complete their artwork at home if not finished and prepare a brief presentation on their inspiration and process.
**Assessment:**
- Evaluate participation in discussions and activities.
- Assess the research worksheets and written paragraphs.
- Grade the final artwork based on creativity, effort, and adherence to the chosen art movement.
- Evaluate the presentations on clarity, understanding, and engagement with the material.
#### Additional Notes:
- Encourage students to experiment with different materials and styles within the chosen art movement.
- Provide feedback during the class to help guide their projects.
- Consider setting up a mini art exhibit in the classroom or school hallway to showcase students’ final projects.