National Gallery of Art Walking Tour in 4K -- Washington, D.C.

⁣Lesson Plan: Exploring Masterpieces: A Captivating Walking Tour of the National Gallery of Art


Grade Level: K-12

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to appreciate and analyze various artworks from different periods through a virtual walking tour of the National Gallery of Art, and understand the importance of art in expressing ideas and emotions.

Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7: Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.9: Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance, including how they address related themes and concepts.

Materials:
- Access to the internet or library resources
- Paper and pencils

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by discussing the importance of art and its ability to convey emotions and ideas.
- Show images of famous artworks from different periods to spark students' interest.

2. Research and Discussion (15 minutes):
- Instruct students to research and find information about the National Gallery of Art, its history, and the significance of its collection.
- Encourage students to explore different art movements, artists, and notable works housed in the National Gallery of Art.
- Allow students to discuss their findings in small groups or pairs.

3. Virtual Walking Tour (15 minutes):
- Guide students through a virtual walking tour of the National Gallery of Art, using online resources or multimedia presentations.
- Highlight key artworks from various periods, discussing their artistic techniques, themes, and historical context.

4. Class Discussion (10 minutes):
- Lead a class discussion on the artworks explored during the virtual walking tour.
- Encourage students to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of experiencing art through different mediums, such as in-person visits versus virtual tours.
- Discuss the themes and concepts addressed in the artworks and how they relate to broader historical and literary significance.

5. Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes):
- Have students individually write a short paragraph reflecting on their favorite artwork from the National Gallery of Art and explaining why they found it meaningful or inspiring.
- Allow a few students to share their reflections with the class, if time permits.

Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.9

Enjoy a walking tour of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The Gallery's collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, medals, and decorative arts traces the development of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and the largest mobile created by Alexander Calder.