### Lesson Plan: Art History – Movements and Influential Artists
**Grade:** 5th
**Subject:** Art
**Duration:** 1 Hour
**Objective:**
Students will gain a basic understanding of major art movements and influential artists, recognizing their significance and contributions to the art world.
**Materials Needed:**
- Projector and computer with internet access
- PowerPoint presentation or similar visual aid
- Printed images of famous artworks from each movement
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, crayons, paper)
- Worksheets for note-taking and reflection
**Standards Met:**
- Understanding of historical context in art (Visual Arts Standards)
- Development of critical thinking and visual analysis skills (Common Core Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies)
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**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Warm-up Activity:**
- Begin with a brief discussion. Ask students, "What is art?" and "Who can name an artist they know?" Write their responses on the board.
- Explain that today’s lesson will focus on learning about different art movements and some artists who were influential in those movements.
**Presentation (20 minutes):**
1. **Introduce Major Art Movements:**
- Use the projector to display a PowerPoint presentation highlighting major art movements:
1. **Renaissance:** Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo
2. **Baroque:** Caravaggio, Rembrandt
3. **Impressionism:** Claude Monet, Edgar Degas
4. **Post-Impressionism:** Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne
5. **Cubism:** Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque
6. **Surrealism:** Salvador Dalí, René Magritte
- Briefly explain key characteristics of each movement and show an example artwork for each.
2. **Discuss Influential Artists:**
- Highlight one or two influential artists from each movement.
- Share interesting facts about their lives, styles, and contributions to the art world.
**Activity (20 minutes):**
1. **Art History Mapping:**
- Distribute worksheets that include a timeline with blank spaces.
- Have students fill in key art movements and associated artists using the information from the presentation.
- Encourage students to draw a small illustration or symbol that represents each movement or artist.
2. **Hands-on Art Creation:**
- Provide students with art supplies.
- Ask them to create a small piece of artwork inspired by one of the movements discussed. They can choose their favorite and use the distinctive style or techniques of that movement.
**Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. **Reflection and Discussion:**
- Ask students to share their artwork and explain which art movement inspired them and why they chose it.
- Engage in a brief discussion about what they found interesting or surprising about the different art movements and artists.
2. **Q&A Session:**
- Allow time for any questions from students about the artists, the movements, or their artworks.
**Assessment:**
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Completed timeline worksheets.
- The effort and creativity put into their art creation inspired by a chosen movement.
**Extension/Homework:**
- As homework, students can research another artist from one of the movements discussed and write a short paragraph about their contributions to art.
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**Notes for Teachers:**
- Ensure all materials and technology are set up before the lesson begins.
- Adapt the lesson according to the time available and the specific interests of the students.
- Feel free to add more movements or artists if time permits.