6th Grade Art History Lesson on Impressionism

6th Grade Georgia Performance Standards in the Visual Arts: VA6CU.1 Discovers how the creative process relates to art history. a. Recognizes the unique contributions of past and present artists, art periods, and movements. b. Identifies and analyzes images which showcase universal themes, symbols, and ideas from diverse past and present cultures. c. Uses a variety of resources (including technology) to investigate artists and artwork from many cultures and time periods as a source of inspiration and in the development of ones own vision. VA6PR.1 Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes. a. Produces original two-dimensional artworks using a variety of media (e.g., pencils, markers, pastels, water-based paint, printmaking materials, collage material, photographic materials, and electronic media). VA6C.2 Develops fluency in visual communication. a. Reads, writes, listens to, responds to, speaks about and views information related to art (e.g., reading across the curriculum). b. Integrates information and skills from art into other areas of knowledge and academic disciplines, (e.g., math, reading, English Language Arts, social studies, science, performing arts, physical education, technology, connections, and other programs within and beyond the middle school environment), using art to enhance other areas of learning. VA6AR.3 Reflects and expands and expands use of visual language throughout the artistic process.

a. Writes a personal reflection about a work of art in a journal, essay, or other written response that captures the felt meaning of a work of art. b. Reflects upon meaning conveyed by principles of design and elements of art discussing how these contribute to the merit of a work of art. c. Uses technology and/or visual organizers during the reflection process. Activities: Day 1: Begin class with an introduction to Impressionism and Post Impressionism (use PowerPoint presentation). Next, with a partner students will begin to research one artist from this time period. Students should choose from the following list: Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, or Georges Seurat. A variety of art history textbooks will be available for students to use. Students should take notes on the artists career, style, preferred mediums, and preferred subject matter. Technology Option: Students may use their own devices including tablets and phones to research the artists. The laptop cart will also be available for any groups that would like to use them. Suggested free apps are Impressionism HD and Art HD. Students can also visit the following websites www.artchive.com and www.smarthistory.kahnacademy.org. Day 2: Today each student will create an individual work of art inspired by the artist they researched during the previous class. Students should take into consideration the subject matter and artistic mediums preferred by their artist. For example a student who researched Mary Cassatt would know that she painted many scenes of mothers and children and that she primarily used oil paints and chalk pastels. When this student is planning their artwork they should choose a similar subject matter and media such as a chalk pastel drawing of their family. The student should not directly copy one of the artists paintings. A variety of art supplies including different types of paint and pastels will be available for students to use during class. Technology Option: Students may choose to create their artwork using technology. Students can use tablets and a variety of drawing and painting apps such as SketchBookX or iPastels to create their artwork. Student may also use the Paint program on the laptops to create their artwork. Day 3: Students should continue to work on their artwork. If students finish early, the can create a second work of art using a different medium. (If they used a tablet of their first work of art they could use paint for their second). Day 4: When their artwork is complete students will rejoin their partner and work together to create a visual presentation about the artist they studied and the artwork they created inspired by that artist. The visual presentation should include images of the artists artwork, information

about the artist, images of the students own personal artwork and a written description/reflection on their artwork. Students may create posters or banners using supplies in the art room (including old art calendars). Students may also print small images from the teacher computer and color printer. Technology Option: Students may create presentations using tablets or lap tops from the lap top cart. Possible presentation programs include PowerPoint, Prezi, or Educreations. Students should be sure to include images of their own artwork in their presentation. A digital camera will be available for students using the laptops. Day 5: Students will complete their presentations and then present them to the class.