LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Pre-Visit

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Pre-Visit is the first lesson of a three-part unit integrating math, writing and visual arts. In this discovery learning activity, students look at and compare two works of art. The paintings are quite different, but they contain many examples of geometric shapes. Students then complete a comment sheet, explaining what is similar and different about the works of art. This lesson can be used alone or used to prepare students for an art museum visit.

A lesson plan for grade 2 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Mathematics

By Loretta Hopper

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Learning outcomes

The student will make connections through the use of visual images, written language and technology. The student will discover and explain that most of the works of art contain geometric shapes.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

20 minutes

Materials/resources

  • pencil for each student
  • make a copy of “comment sheet” for each student (Open comment sheet and print).
  • practice running the PowerPoint presentation virtual tour-geometry.

Technology resources

color monitor with access to the Internet

Pre-activities

  • students will need to know how to run a PowerPoint presentation.
  • students will need to know how to complete the Comment Sheet (Open Comment Sheet and print).

Activities

This lesson is designed as a discovery learning activity, along with preparing students for an Ackland Art Museum visit, or a visit to a local art museum, or a virtual tour of the Ackland Art Museum.

Teacher instruction:

  1. The teacher will open the prepared PowerPoint presentation of three slides with two paintings on each slide. Open virtual tour-geometry and demonstrate how to run the PowerPoint presentation.
  2. The teacher will copy a Comment Sheet for each student to complete (open Comment Sheet and print).
  3. The teacher will explain how to complete the Comment Sheet. This sheet directs students to write about what is similar or different between two paintings.
  4. The Comment Sheet will be completed while the PowerPoint presentation is running.
  5. The teacher will assign two or three students to a computer to run the PowerPoint presentation.

Classroom activity:

  1. Each student will independently complete the Comment Sheet.
  2. After all the students complete the activity, the teacher will run the PowerPoint presentation and students will have an opportunity to share their comments.
  3. During the sharing activity, the teacher will guide the students to a realization that most of the paintings contain geometric shapes. The students will have an opportunity to locate and identify the geometric figures.
  4. The teacher will collect and assess the Comment Sheet, using a prepared rubric (open Assessment Rubric).

Assessment

  • check the “Comment Sheet” to determine if the student has completed the task.
  • complete the “Assessment Rubric” on each student (open Assessment Rubric).

Supplemental information

This lesson is the first part of a three-part unit focusing on geometry, improving observation and writing skills, and developing critical thinking skills. The other two lessons can be found in the LEARN NC lesson plan database as:
Geometry and Art: Art Museum Visit
Geometry and Art: Art Museum Post-Visit

Attachments:

Related websites

Ackland Art Museum:
http://www.ackland.org/

Useful Art Terms:
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/study/g_art_elements.html

If you need PowerPoint player use this link:
http://www.learnnc.org/topics/edtech/freeware.html#office

Comments

This lesson was presented as part of a geometry center. The students worked in pairs and independently completed the comment sheet. These students have been to the Ackland Art Museum five times and have developed good observation skills.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Visual Arts Education (2001)

Grade 2

  • Goal 3: The learner will organize the components of a work into a cohesive whole through knowledge of organizational principles of design and art elements.
    • Objective 3.05: Identify center of interest (emphasis) in a composition.
  • Goal 6: The learner will reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others.
    • Objective 6.05: Discuss artwork using the design principles of repetition, emphasis, and movement.

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 2

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.01: Recognize, discuss and use the features/functions of computing devices (e.g., creating, retrieving, saving, printing data). Strand - Societal/Ethical Issues

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 2

  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Connect and compare information within and across selections (fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama) to experience and knowledge.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.08: Write structured, informative presentations and narratives when given help with organization.

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 2

  • Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will perform simple transformations.