**Lesson Plan: Art History (Renaissance to Modern)**
### Subject: Art
**Year Group:** Year 4
**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Topic:** Art History (Renaissance to Modern)
---
**Objectives:**
- Students will gain an understanding of key periods in art history from the Renaissance to modern times.
- Students will learn to identify and describe characteristics of artwork from different historical periods.
- Students will create a piece of artwork inspired by a chosen period or style.
---
### Materials Needed:
- Images/prints of famous artworks from various art periods (Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism, Modern Art).
- Art supplies (pencils, erasers, paints, brushes, paper, coloured pencils).
- Whiteboard and markers.
- Handouts of a timeline highlighting key periods and artists.
- Art history books or access to digital resources.
---
### Lesson Outline:
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin with a brief discussion about what art is and why it is important in society.
- Introduce the concept of art history and how it shows us how art evolves over time.
- Explain the focus of today's lesson: exploring key periods in art history from the Renaissance to the modern era.
**2. Renaissance Period (15 minutes)**
- Show images of famous Renaissance artworks (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci’s *Mona Lisa*, Michelangelo’s *David*).
- Discuss the characteristics of Renaissance art (realism, perspective, humanism).
- Highlight notable artists and their contributions.
**3. Baroque to Romanticism (15 minutes)**
- Display examples of Baroque art (e.g., Caravaggio’s *The Calling of St Matthew*) and discuss its dramatic use of light and shadow.
- Explain the transition to Romanticism (e.g., Turner’s *The Fighting Temeraire*), highlighting its focus on emotion, nature, and individualism.
**4. Impressionism to Modern Art (20 minutes)**
- Introduce Impressionism with examples like Monet’s *Water Lilies*. Discuss characteristics like light and colour, and the focus on capturing moments.
- Transition to Modern Art, showcasing works by artists like Picasso (Cubism) and Kandinsky (Abstract).
- Discuss the move towards abstraction and experimentation in modern art.
**5. Student Activity: Creating Inspired Art (25 minutes)**
- Students select an art period or style that resonated with them during the lesson.
- Provide art supplies and ask students to create a piece of art inspired by their chosen period/style.
- Encourage creativity and individual expression.
**6. Conclusion and Sharing (10 minutes)**
- Allow students to share their artwork with the class, explaining which period/style they chose and why.
- Display the artworks around the classroom.
- Wrap up with a summary of what was learned about the evolution of art from the Renaissance to modern times.
**7. Homework/Extension (5 minutes)**
- For homework, ask students to choose one artist discussed in the lesson and create a brief report or poster about their life and work.
- Optionally, students can visit an online art gallery or museum to explore more artworks.
---
**Assessment:**
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Completion and creativity of the artwork inspired by a historical art period.
- Homework assignment on the chosen artist.
---
**Reflection:**
- After the lesson, reflect on the students' engagement and understanding.
- Note areas where students showed particular interest or needed additional support.
- Adjust future lessons based on observations and feedback.
---
**Notes:**
- Make sure to tailor the complexity of the content to suit the comprehension levels of Year 4 students.
- Encourage students to ask questions and express their thoughts on different artworks and styles.