**Lesson Plan: Art Critique and Analysis for 6th Grade**
**Grade Level:** 6th Grade
**Subject:** Art
**Topic:** Art Critique and Analysis
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Objective:**
Students will learn how to critique and analyze art by examining different artworks and discussing elements such as color, composition, mood, and technique.
**Materials Needed:**
- Projector/computer to display images of artworks
- Prints or digital images of at least four different artworks (diverse time periods and styles)
- Notebooks/journals for students
- Pencils/pens
- Handout of basic art critique questions
- Chart paper and markers
**Standards Met:**
- **Common Core State Standards (CCSS):**
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
- **National Core Arts Standards (NCAS):**
- VA:Re7.1.6: Identify and interpret works of art or design that reveal how people live around the world and what they value.
- VA:Re8.1.6: Interpret art by distinguishing between relevant and non-relevant contextual information and analyzing subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, and use of media.
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Welcome and Warm-Up:**
- Begin with a brief discussion on what the students know about art critique. Ask them questions like, "Have you ever talked about what you like or don't like about a piece of art? What did that conversation look like?"
2. **Introduce Topic:**
- Introduce the terms "Art Critique" and "Art Analysis". Explain that the goal is to understand and appreciate the artwork on a deeper level, beyond just liking or disliking it.
**Instruction (20 minutes):**
1. **Explain Elements of Art Critique:**
- Use a projected image of an artwork to illustrate key elements in art critique:
- Description: What do you see?
- Analysis: How is the work organized? (use of color, line, shape, form, texture, space, and value)
- Interpretation: What message or story does this piece convey?
- Judgment: How effective is the artwork according to you?
2. **Provide Handout:**
- Give students a handout with basic questions for critiquing art.
**Guided Practice (15 minutes):**
1. **Group Activity:**
- Divide students into groups of 3-4. Each group receives an image of an artwork.
- Using the handout, each group will discuss their artwork, using the elements explained. They will record their thoughts in their notebooks.
2. **Share and Discuss:**
- Have each group select a spokesperson to share their group's findings with the class.
- Facilitate a class discussion on similarities and differences in the interpretations.
**Independent Practice (10 minutes):**
1. **Individual Analysis:**
- Provide students with a new artwork to critique independently.
- Students will write a brief analysis in their notebooks, using the guided questions.
**Closure (5 minutes):**
1. **Review:**
- Recap the key points of art critique: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.
- Encourage a few students to share their independent analysis if time allows.
**Assessment:**
- Participation in group discussions.
- Completion of the written analysis in notebooks.
- Observation of students' ability to articulate their thoughts and engage in discussions.
**Extension Activity:**
- Assign students to bring a piece of art from home or find one online to share with the class for a critique in the next lesson.
By the end of the lesson, students should feel more comfortable with discussing and analyzing artworks constructively, using a structured approach.