Contemporary Art and Literature Lesson Plan

Name: Aldo Ricci Date(s) or Days of Lesson: 10/04/21

Student Learning Objective(s)/Target(s) and Related Assessment(s):

Learning Target: I understand the current state of world art and literature. This means that I can
draw connections between contemporary writing/art to the works that have preceded them and
see how we’ve arrived to where we are today.

Language Objective: I can write a reflection in class detailing my findings over the course of
the week and articulate how the progression of art and literature has unfolded.

Standard(s): Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended
definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the
audience’s knowledge of the topic. (CCSS: W.9-10.2b)

Materials/Resources:
● Writing utensil
● Paper
● Computer and mini lesson for teacher, internet access for student assignment
● Resources to refer to for the reflective paper

Learning Activities:

Initiation: At the beginning of the period, a brief recap/share out will take place where we
discuss as a full class the things that we’ve uncovered throughout the week regarding the history
of art and literature. Then students will complete a quick write reflecting on what we discussed
as a class and what connections they are beginning to draw between the two mediums. Their
thoughts could include things such as tone, context, intended purpose, etc. (20 Minutes)

Lesson Development: Following the introductory discussion and quick write, I will lead a mini
lesson that focuses exclusively on contemporary art. This will provide a brief timeline that
details eras of recent contemporary art, as well as some of the most notable figures that have
helped to form the scene as it is today. In addition to this, the mini lesson will also begin
introducing the ways in which art and literature have been used hand in hand in recent years.
Following the mini lesson, students have to write a 1-2 page reflective paper where they think
about what they learned the past week, look into contemporary art/literature combos that interest
them, and make suggestions as to where our studies in the following week could go. (60
Minutes)
Closure: After completing their papers, students will share their findings from their research, and
what potential interests they have when it comes to the following week’s studies. In addition to
this, homework will be assigned to reinforce the primary ideas of the lesson in which students
are tasked with bringing in a book cover that shows the interconnectedness of literature and art.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical copy, but students just need to understand the content
of the book in order to explain the context of the cover to the class in the following day’s share
out. (10 Minutes)

Individuals Needing Differentiated Instruction:

Content Process Product Environment
Modificatio For the 1-2 page
ns: reflection students
will complete, a list
of art/literature
combos that are
relatively easy to
understand can be
provided in order to
give students a guide
for this part because
it’s likely going to be
the most challenging
Extensions: For the 1-2 page
reflection that
students are writing,
those who want to
further their research
can focus less on the
reflective aspect and
more on the research
of art/literature
combos. When doing
this they can also
focus on more
abstract art/literature
combos.
 Reflection (HANDOUT)
So far in this course we’ve looked at a lot of the historical context
surrounding art and literature. In order to maintain focus moving
forward, it’s important to think critically about what we’ve learned
thus far and how it’s changed the way we look at these two forms
of expression. In a 1-2 page reflection, write freely on what you’ve
noticed, how you’ve processed the new information, and any
thoughts that have arisen for you over the course of the semester.