# 8th Grade Art Lesson Plan: Art History (Modern and Contemporary)
### Lesson Overview:
The aim of this lesson is to introduce students to the developments, significant movements, and key figures in modern and contemporary art. Students will explore how historical events, culture, and technology have influenced art from the late 19th century to the present day. They will also get an opportunity to create their own artwork inspired by these periods.
### Lesson Duration:
2 weeks (5 classes, 45 minutes each)
### Learning Objectives:
1. Understand key movements in modern and contemporary art.
2. Identify significant artists and their contributions.
3. Analyze how historical and cultural contexts influenced art.
4. Create an artwork inspired by modern or contemporary art movements.
### Standards Met:
- National Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
- Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
- Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
### Materials Needed:
- PowerPoint or digital slides for presentation
- Internet-enabled devices for research
- Art supplies (e.g., paper, paint, brushes, pencils, markers)
- Handouts on key art movements and artists
- Projector and screen for visual examples
### Lesson Plan:
#### Day 1: Introduction to Modern Art (45 minutes)
- **Warm-Up (10 minutes):**
- Begin with a discussion on what students already know about modern art. Use a K-W-L chart (Know, Want to know, Learned).
- **Lecture & Discussion (20 minutes):**
- Present a slideshow covering key movements like Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.
- Introduce famous artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock.
- Discuss how the historical context (e.g., World Wars, Industrial Revolution) influenced these movements.
- **Activity (15 minutes):**
- Students will create a timeline including major movements and artists.
#### Day 2: Deep Dive into Key Movements (45 minutes)
- **Warm-Up (5 minutes):**
- Quick quiz on the previous day's lesson.
- **Group Activity (30 minutes):**
- Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a specific art movement to research (e.g., Cubism, Surrealism).
- Each group creates a poster highlighting key characteristics, prominent artists, and representative works.
- **Presentation (10 minutes):**
- Groups present their findings to the class.
#### Day 3: Contemporary Art (45 minutes)
- **Warm-Up (5 minutes):**
- Show images of contemporary artworks and ask students to describe what they see.
- **Lecture & Discussion (20 minutes):**
- Introduce contemporary art movements such as Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Digital Art.
- Discuss artists like Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Banksy, and Damien Hirst.
- Explore how technology and modern issues (e.g., social media, climate change) influence contemporary art.
- **Activity (20 minutes):**
- Students will research a contemporary artist of their choice and prepare a short presentation on their works.
#### Day 4: Creating Inspired Artworks (45 minutes)
- **Warm-Up (5 minutes):**
- Show a short video clip of an artist creating a contemporary artwork.
- **Project Introduction (10 minutes):**
- Explain the art project: Students will create their own piece inspired by a modern or contemporary movement covered in class.
- Provide guidelines and expectations for the project.
- **Art Creation (30 minutes):**
- Students begin working on their art projects, utilizing various materials and techniques.
#### Day 5: Completing and Presenting Artworks (45 minutes)
- **Warm-Up (5 minutes):**
- Discuss the importance of critique and positive feedback in art.
- **Art Creation (15 minutes):**
- Students complete their artworks.
- **Gallery Walk (20 minutes):**
- Arrange the classroom as a gallery. Students display their artworks and walk around to view each other's pieces.
- **Reflection & Discussion (5 minutes):**
- Students share their reflections on the process and their finished works.
- Discuss what they learned about modern and contemporary art.
### Assessment:
- Participation in group activities and discussions.
- Quality and creativity of the final artwork.
- Presentation and understanding of the chosen art movement and artist.
- Reflection and ability to connect historical and cultural contexts with artistic styles.
### Extensions:
- Organize a visit to a local museum or virtual tour of a modern art gallery.
- Invite a contemporary artist for a guest lecture or live demonstration.
- Encourage students to create a digital portfolio of their work.