My classes are familiar with Do-Now activities. I use the activity frequently at the beginning of class, as students enter the classroom, I’ll have a visual projected onto the wall or handouts of a visual or written information with a few questions. The Do-Now helps students get focused relating to the subject of what is being taught in class for that block. Selecting a visual or a couple to compare and contrast can present students to the idea of looking at Modern Art and then following up with a post assessment at the end of the unit that asks students to describe their opinion objectively, after learning the cultural connections influencing the art, is an effective way to see learning gain. Presenting the same essential question in the pre and post assessments is the easiest way to discover how much information and what kind of information students have acquired, retained and are applying. Discussion is important so having students collaborate in groups contributes to a more vibrant style of inquiry, but independent work is important too and the balance of both keep the long unit engaging. Technique practices on the formal elements and principles to be explored using the painting medium are assigned to relate directly to the art examples included in the unit as students try their own ideas that will relate to expressing their subject. Time and direction to keep organized is integral, as students are being presented with so much information, they will need to keep notes on ideas to research information on their subject and the teacher can assign a daily point system to help students stay accountable and organized. Presenting videos can be tricky as students will be working in collaborative groups, analyzing handouts of cultural material that relates to the artwork so they can answer essential questions. There wouldn’t be enough time to thoroughly analyze all five modern art works and Rockwell’s but students should be familiar with all six to the extent of making observations. Narrow down the overall selections and have students focus on two abstracts that they can answer two to four essential questions about. Accommodate students who need the modifications to answering one or two questions on one abstract. The size of the final work is flexible and depends on your school’s supply of materials. If paints are not available, having students find imagery and text for content from magazines can be put together in a collage style and supplemented with drawing. Look at Post-Modern artists for ideas. For Post Assessment use the same work of art from the first day and have students respond. Look for answers that do or do not respond to a deeper connection that tries to develop an understanding for influence, intention and impact.
