Geometry and art: Art museum pre-visit

This lesson is the first 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 and English Language Arts

By Loretta Hopper

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Related pages

• Greenville Museum of Art: Permanent exhibits include 19th and 20th century art, North Carolina art and an impressive collection of Jugtown pottery.
• Ackland Art Museum: Features online versions of art museum's exhibits and permanent collection, field trip guidelines and activities, lesson plans, and in-depth institutional background.
• Hiddenite Center: See gemstones and minerals, a restored historic home, a gallery of art work and folk art, and a doll museum at Hiddenite Center.

Related topics

• Learn more about arts and fine art.

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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
• copy of Comment Sheet for each student.
• practice running the PowerPoint presentation Virtual Tour: Geometry.

Technology resources

• overhead projector and computer to show PowerPoint presentation to entire class

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.

1. The teacher will open the prepared PowerPoint presentation of three slides with two paintings on each slide.
2. 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.
3. The Comment Sheet will be completed independently while the PowerPoint presentation is running.
4. After all the students complete the activity, the teacher will run the PowerPoint presentation again and students will have an opportunity to share their comments.
5. 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.

Assessment

• check the Comment Sheet to determine if the student has completed the task.
• complete the Assessment Rubric for each student.

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

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.