**Lesson Plan: Creative Expression and Critique**
**Grade:** 4th
**Subject:** Art
**Duration:** 60 Minutes
**Objective:**
1. Students will explore different mediums and techniques for creative expression.
2. Students will learn to articulate constructive feedback and critique their own and peers' artwork.
**Materials:**
- Assorted colored pencils, crayons, and markers
- Watercolor paints and brushes
- Construction paper and white drawing paper
- Scissors and glue
- Art smocks/aprons
- Pencils and erasers
- Examples of famous artworks for critique (printouts or digital presentation)
- Reflection sheets for critiques
**Lesson Outline:**
**Introduction (10 Minutes)**
1. **Greeting and Warm-Up:**
- Welcome the students and explain the day's goals.
- Quick discussion: Ask students about their favorite way to create art and why they enjoy it.
**Instruction (15 Minutes)**
2. **Exploring Mediums and Techniques:**
- Show samples of different art mediums (pencils, paints, markers) and explain how each one works.
- Demonstrate a few basic techniques for each medium (e.g., shading with pencils, blending with watercolors).
**Activity (20 Minutes)**
3. **Creative Expression Project:**
- Students choose one or more mediums they want to work with.
- Prompt: Create an artwork that represents a place you love or a dream you have.
- Walk around to provide guidance, encouragement, and technical advice.
**Discussion and Critique (10 Minutes)**
4. **Art Critique Session:**
- Review how to give positive and constructive feedback using "TAG" (Tell something you like, Ask a question, Give a suggestion).
- Showcase some famous artworks and discuss as a class using the TAG method.
**Peer Critique (10 Minutes)**
5. **Partner Sharing:**
- Students pair up and share their artwork with each other.
- Each student must use the TAG method to give feedback to their partner.
- Encourage students to reflect on the feedback received and how it might influence their future artworks.
**Conclusion (5 Minutes)**
6. **Reflection:**
- Gather students and ask them to share one piece of feedback they received and how it helped their understanding of their own artwork.
- Summarize the key points of the lesson: the importance of creative expression and how to give and receive constructive feedback.
**Assessment:**
- Observe participation and engagement during the activity and critique sessions.
- Review completed reflection sheets to assess understanding of the critique process and technical vocabulary.
**Extension:**
- Assign students a mini-project to create another artwork using a medium or technique they found challenging today.
- Encourage them to keep a journal of ideas for future art projects and reflect on what techniques they would like to master.
**Notes:**
- Adapt the lesson for any students with special needs by providing alternative tools or one-on-one help.
- Use a timer for each segment to keep the lesson on track and ensure all activities are completed.