Standards Alignment
- TEKS.117.302.02C primary
use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or imagination; - TEKS.117.302.02D primary
create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
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Lesson Overview
This Grade 9 art lesson focuses on helping students understand copyright and public domain concepts to appropriately use imagery as the main focal point in their original artwork. Students will learn how to work from images rather than direct observation or imagination while respecting legal and ethical guidelines. They will then create original artwork that communicates their own thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions, fostering creative expression and reflective thinking as outlined in TEKS Art Level I standards.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the difference between copyright-protected images and public domain images.
- Identify when and how to appropriately use imagery from copyright or public domain sources as the main focal point in original artwork.
- Create an original artwork using appropriated imagery that communicates personal thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions.
- Reflect on artistic choices regarding image selection, transformation, and meaning in their artwork.
Success Criteria
- Students can distinguish between copyright and public domain images.
- Students can select and use imagery appropriately as the main focal point in their artwork without infringing copyright.
- Students produce original artwork that clearly communicates their own ideas or feelings.
- Students articulate their artistic decisions and the role of appropriated imagery in their work.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have basic skills in creating artwork using various media and an introductory understanding of artistic expression and composition.
Key Vocabulary
- Copyright
- Public Domain
- Appropriation
- Original Artwork
- Focal Point
- Creative Expression
- Imagery
Materials and Resources
- Examples of artwork using appropriated imagery (print or digital)
- Access to a collection of images labeled as public domain and copyright-protected
- Art supplies (drawing paper, pencils, paints, digital art tools, etc.)
- Projector or screen for displaying images
- Reflection journals or paper
Teacher Preparation
- Prepare a short presentation explaining copyright and public domain concepts with examples.
- Gather visual examples of artworks that use appropriated imagery as the main focal point.
- Prepare a list or digital folder of public domain images for student use.
- Set up art materials and workspace for student creation.
- Prepare reflection prompts to guide student discussion.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Understanding Copyright and Public Domain
Copyright protects original works of authorship, including images, giving the creator exclusive rights to use and distribute their work for a limited time. Using copyrighted images without permission can infringe on these rights. Public domain images are those whose copyrights have expired or were never copyrighted, allowing anyone to use them freely. Understanding these distinctions helps artists legally and ethically appropriate imagery for their artwork.
Appropriation in Art
Appropriation involves taking existing images and using them in new artwork, often transforming or recontextualizing them. When appropriating imagery, artists must consider copyright laws and whether the image is in the public domain. Appropriated imagery can serve as the main focal point of original artwork if the artist adds new meaning or expression, ensuring the final work is original.
Creating Original Artwork from Images
Students will learn to select imagery from public domain or appropriately licensed sources and incorporate it as the main focal point in their artwork. They will transform or combine images with their own creative elements to communicate personal thoughts, feelings, or ideas. This process involves planning, sketching, and using various media to produce a unique piece that respects copyright while expressing originality.
Reflective Thinking and Artistic Choices
Reflecting on artistic choices helps students understand how their use of imagery affects the meaning and impact of their artwork. Students should consider why they chose certain images, how they altered or integrated them, and what personal message or impression they wish to communicate. This reflection fosters disciplined effort and progressive problem-solving skills in creative expression.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
Given two images, one labeled as copyrighted and one as public domain, which image can you use freely as the main focal point in your artwork without permission?
Explanation
You can use the public domain image freely because it is not protected by copyright and is available for anyone to use. Using the copyrighted image without permission would infringe on the creator's rights.
Answer Guide
The public domain image can be used freely as the main focal point in my artwork.
Worked Example 2
Scenario
If you use a public domain image as the main focal point in your artwork, what must you do to ensure your artwork is original?
Explanation
You must transform, combine, or add your own creative expression to the image so that the final artwork communicates your own thoughts, feelings, or ideas, making it an original piece rather than a direct copy.
Answer Guide
I must change or add to the public domain image to express my own ideas and make the artwork original.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Introduce the lesson by showing examples of artworks that use appropriated imagery as the main focal point. Explain the concepts of copyright and public domain with clear definitions and examples.
Student Activity
Observe the examples and discuss what they notice about the use of images. Share any prior knowledge or questions about copyright and public domain.
Explanation
This phase builds curiosity and sets the context for understanding how artists use existing images legally and creatively.
Examples
- Students identify images as central elements in the artworks.
- Students express some understanding or curiosity about copyright and public domain.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Present a short lesson on copyright and public domain, showing examples of images that are copyrighted and those in the public domain. Demonstrate how to find public domain images.
Student Activity
Practice identifying whether given images are copyrighted or in the public domain using provided resources.
Explanation
Students actively engage with the concepts by sorting images and learning to recognize legal usage rights.
Examples
- Students correctly classify images as copyrighted or public domain.
- Students understand the importance of respecting copyright.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Model planning an original artwork using a public domain image as the main focal point. Show how to transform or combine the image with original elements to communicate a personal idea.
Student Activity
Discuss the planning process and ask questions about how to make artwork original while using existing images.
Explanation
This phase clarifies how to apply copyright knowledge creatively and ethically in art-making.
Examples
- Students understand the need to add original expression to appropriated imagery.
- Students begin to form ideas for their own artwork.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Guide students as they create their own original artwork using a public domain or appropriately licensed image as the main focal point. Provide feedback on their artistic choices and copyright considerations.
Student Activity
Create original artwork incorporating appropriated imagery, applying learned concepts and techniques.
Explanation
Students apply their understanding in a hands-on creative process, reinforcing learning through practice.
Examples
- Students produce artwork that uses imagery appropriately and expresses personal ideas.
- Students demonstrate creative problem-solving in their compositions.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Facilitate a reflection session where students share their artwork and explain their use of imagery and artistic choices. Assess understanding through discussion and a short written reflection.
Student Activity
Present artwork, discuss the role of appropriated imagery, and reflect on the creative process and copyright understanding.
Explanation
Reflection consolidates learning and assesses students’ ability to communicate their artistic intent and respect for copyright.
Examples
- Students articulate their understanding of copyright and public domain.
- Students explain how their artwork is original despite using existing images.
Classroom Activity
Practice identifying whether given images are copyrighted or in the public domain using provided resources.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
What does 'public domain' mean in relation to images?
Teacher Answer Guide
Images that are free for anyone to use because their copyright has expired or they were never copyrighted.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
Why is it important to understand copyright when using images in your artwork?
Teacher Answer Guide
Because using copyrighted images without permission can violate legal rights, so understanding copyright helps you use images legally and ethically.
Guided Practice 3
Prompt
You find an image online that you want to use as the main focal point in your artwork. How do you determine if you can use it legally?
Teacher Answer Guide
Check if the image is labeled as public domain or has a license allowing use, or if you have permission from the copyright owner.
Guided Practice 4
Prompt
Explain how you can create original artwork using a public domain image as the main focal point.
Teacher Answer Guide
By transforming the image through changes in composition, style, or combining it with original elements to express your own ideas, making the artwork unique and original.
Guided Practice 5
Prompt
Describe how respecting copyright laws while appropriating imagery can influence your creative process and final artwork.
Teacher Answer Guide
Respecting copyright laws requires careful selection of images and encourages creativity to transform or reinterpret imagery, leading to original artwork that communicates personal meaning while honoring legal and ethical standards.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: What does 'public domain' mean in relation to images?
- Developing: Why is it important to understand copyright when using images in your artwork?
- Application: You find an image online that you want to use as the main focal point in your artwork. How do you determine if you can use it legally?
- Analysis: Explain how you can create original artwork using a public domain image as the main focal point.
- Challenge: Describe how respecting copyright laws while appropriating imagery can influence your creative process and final artwork.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. Public domain means images that are free for anyone to use because their copyright has expired or they were never copyrighted.
- 2. Because using copyrighted images without permission can violate legal rights, so understanding copyright helps you use images legally and ethically.
- 3. You check if the image is labeled as public domain or has a license allowing use, or if you have permission from the copyright owner.
- 4. By transforming the image through changes in composition, style, or combining it with original elements to express your own ideas, making the artwork unique and original.
- 5. Respecting copyright laws requires careful selection of images and encourages creativity to transform or reinterpret imagery, leading to original artwork that communicates personal meaning while honoring legal and ethical standards.
Guiding Questions
- What is the difference between copyright and public domain?
- Why must artists consider copyright when using images?
- How can you make artwork original when using existing images?
- What personal ideas do you want to express in your artwork?
Common Misconceptions
- All images found online are free to use in artwork.
- Using any image as the main focal point is allowed without considering copyright.
- Appropriated imagery means copying an image exactly without changes.
- Public domain images do not require any creative input to be used in artwork.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide clear examples and definitions of copyright and public domain. Offer guided practice with image classification. Allow use of teacher-curated public domain image collections.
English-Language Learner Support
Use visuals and simple language to explain copyright concepts. Provide bilingual glossaries for key vocabulary. Use examples and demonstrations to support understanding.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to research copyright laws and recent cases. Encourage exploration of fair use and transformative art concepts. Have students create digital artwork incorporating multiple appropriated images creatively.
Assessment
- Observe student participation in discussions about copyright and public domain.
- Check student ability to classify images correctly.
- Review planning sketches for use of appropriated imagery.
- Explain in your own words why it is important to understand copyright when using images in your artwork.
- Describe one way you can make artwork original when using an image from the public domain.
- Create an original artwork using a public domain image as the main focal point and write a reflection explaining your artistic choices and how you respected copyright.
Answer Guide
- What does 'public domain' mean in relation to images?
Answer: Images that are free for anyone to use because their copyright has expired or they were never copyrighted. - Why is it important to understand copyright when using images in your artwork?
Answer: Because using copyrighted images without permission can violate legal rights, so understanding copyright helps you use images legally and ethically. - You find an image online that you want to use as the main focal point in your artwork. How do you determine if you can use it legally?
Answer: Check if the image is labeled as public domain or has a license allowing use, or if you have permission from the copyright owner. - Explain how you can create original artwork using a public domain image as the main focal point.
Answer: By transforming the image through changes in composition, style, or combining it with original elements to express your own ideas, making the artwork unique and original. - Describe how respecting copyright laws while appropriating imagery can influence your creative process and final artwork.
Answer: Respecting copyright laws requires careful selection of images and encourages creativity to transform or reinterpret imagery, leading to original artwork that communicates personal meaning while honoring legal and ethical standards.
Real-Life Application
Encourage students to find images at home or online that are in the public domain and brainstorm ideas for creating original artwork using those images, discussing their findings with family members.
Homework or Home Connection
- Encourage students to find images at home or online that are in the public domain and brainstorm ideas for creating original artwork using those images, discussing their findings with family members.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students learned the difference between copyright and public domain and how to appropriately use imagery as the main focal point in their original artwork. They practiced selecting images legally, transforming them creatively, and communicating personal ideas through their art. Reflecting on their artistic choices helped deepen their understanding of ethical art-making and creative expression.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.