### Year 2 Art Lesson Plan: Art Appreciation
#### Objective:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand the basics of art appreciation.
- Identify and describe different mediums and styles of art.
- Express their opinions about different artworks.
- Create a simple piece of art inspired by a classical painting.
#### Key Vocabulary:
- Art
- Mediums (e.g., paint, crayon, pencil)
- Style (e.g., realism, abstract, impressionism)
- Artist
- Inspiration
#### Materials:
- Reproductions of famous artworks (printed or digital)
- Plain paper
- Crayons, markers, watercolours, and coloured pencils
- Easels (if available)
- Art smocks or old shirts to protect clothing
- Copies of an art appreciation worksheet
#### Lesson Structure:
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Greet students and introduce the topic.
- Discuss what art appreciation means and why it’s important.
- Present examples of famous artworks (e.g., Da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa," Van Gogh’s "Starry Night," Monet’s "Water Lilies").
- Ask students if they recognise any of the paintings and what they think of them.
**2. Direct Teaching & Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Explain the main art mediums: paint, crayon, pencil, etc.
- Talk about different styles of art: realism, abstract, impressionism.
- Show examples and ask students to identify what medium and style the artist used.
- Discuss how art can make us feel different emotions and represents different things.
**3. Interactive Activity (20 minutes)**
- Hand out art appreciation worksheets.
- Pair students up and ask them to discuss the images on the worksheet.
- Questions to consider: What do you see in the image? What colours did the artist use? How does the artwork make you feel?
- Walk around and assist pairs, making sure every student is engaged and participating.
**4. Creative Activity (30 minutes)**
- Introduce the creative task: creating an artwork inspired by one of the paintings discussed.
- Provide materials: paper, crayons, markers, watercolours, and coloured pencils.
- Encourage students to think about the colours and styles they will use.
- Allow students to work at their own pace while circulating to provide assistance and encouragement.
**5. Share & Reflect (15 minutes)**
- Invite students to share their artwork with the class.
- Ask them to talk about what inspired them and what they enjoyed about creating their picture.
- Provide positive feedback and highlight unique aspects of each piece.
**6. Closing & Clean-Up (10 minutes)**
- Summarise what was learned about art appreciation and how different artists use various mediums and styles.
- Encourage students to continue exploring different kinds of art and expressing themselves creatively.
- Assist students in cleaning up their workspaces.
#### Assessment:
- Observe participation and engagement during discussions and activities.
- Review the completed art appreciation worksheets for understanding.
- Assess the final artwork for creativity and effort, taking into account the student's explanation of their piece.
#### Differentiation:
- Provide additional guidance and visual aids for students who need extra support.
- Allow advanced students to explore more complex techniques or styles in their artwork.
### Follow-Up Activity:
- Organise a mini "art gallery" using the students' artwork and invite another class or parents to come and appreciate the Year 2 artists' efforts.
#### Homework:
- Ask students to bring in a picture of their favourite artwork from home (it could be a family photo, a poster, or even an image from a book) and write a few sentences about why they like it.
This lesson plan should foster a love and appreciation for art among Year 2 students, while also giving them a hands-on opportunity to express their own creativity inspired by classical artworks.