Painting Lesson Plans

Learners discuss the subject and meaning of examples of visual art. They analyze various paintings found on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website, answer discussion questions, complete online interactive activities, and write an essay.

Students examine the idea of artistic movements in the visual arts. They explore various websites, compare/contrast paintings, complete a chart, and write an essay.

Students differentiate the various genres in the visual arts, particularly in Western painting. They view and discuss, in small groups, paintings published on the National Galleries website. Then each student individually identifies genres of paintings in an online exercise.

Through analyzing the elements of a symphony for rhythm, patterns, color, and texture, middle schoolers apply the elements of music to visual art. Learners discuss poetry and art, and write a reflection showing the similarities of these forms.

Students discuss art and read Matthew's Dream.  In this visual arts lesson, students recognize that there are different styles of art, each with its own techniques.  Students use simple techniques to understand art. Students work at stations to complete a style of art.

Explore rhythm, patterns, color and texture in art and poetry. In this poetry lesson, students perform a class symphony and note the elements they experience. Students work in small groups to create a visual art piece that relates the elements discussed.

Eighth graders create a visual art project about obesity. In this art instructional activity, 8th graders explain the importance of eating healthy and exercise. They document their eating habits in their journal and analyze it.

Students create a Mexican yarn painting. For this visual arts lesson, students discuss the culture of Mexico and identify Huichol yarn paintings. Students construct their own yarn painting.

Students explore the use of propaganda in art. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze events from the American Revolution or Westward Expansion as they view artwork and read narrative accounts. Students explain how the artwork symbolically illustrates American ideals.

Students explore the life and painting style of African American artist Horace Pippin by looking carefully at its parts, then create a "secret number" painting for a classroom counting book.