Lesson plan of Art: Ancient Persia

Objectives (5 - 10 minutes)

1. Historical Context: Students will be able to understand and contextualize Ancient Persia within the broader framework of world history. This includes identifying key events, such as the formation of the Persian Empire and its interactions with other empires and civilizations.

2. Appreciation for Persian Art: Students will be able to appreciate the art of Ancient Persia, understanding its aesthetic and symbolic dimensions. This includes analyzing different art forms, such as architecture, sculpture, painting, and the decorative arts.

3. Identification of Key Features of Persian Art: Students will be able to identify the distinctive characteristics of Persian art and how it differed from other contemporary artistic traditions. This includes analyzing elements such as the use of colour, geometric patterns, and human and animal figures.

   Secondary Objectives:

   • Develop Research Skills: Students will be encouraged to conduct independent research to supplement the material presented in class, thus enhancing their research and self-directed learning skills.

   • Foster Critical Thinking: Through the analysis and discussion of Persian art, students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, questioning and evaluating different interpretations and perspectives.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Prior Knowledge: Begin the lesson by briefly reviewing general art history, highlighting the key characteristics of ancient civilizations in the Middle East. This includes Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Greek art. This review is important so that students can make comparisons and contrasts with the art of Ancient Persia.

2. Essential Questions: Pose two essential questions to kick-off the lesson and engage students:

   • How can art reflect the culture and society of a particular historical period?
   • How can art be used as a tool to convey political and religious messages?

3. Contextualization: Emphasize the importance of art in Ancient Persia, highlighting that it was not merely a form of aesthetic expression, but also a powerful tool for communicating ideas, values, and beliefs. Furthermore, Persian art was influential on many other cultures, including Islamic and Western art.

4. Grabbing Students' Attention: To pique students' interest, share the following fun facts:

   • Ancient Persia was the first empire to adopt the use of coinage, and their coins were often decorated with images of kings and deities, providing a rich source of information about Persian art and culture.

   • Persian art is known for its ability to blend elements from different cultures and artistic traditions, resulting in a unique and distinctive aesthetic.

5. Introduction to the Topic: Finally, introduce the topic of the lesson - the art of Ancient Persia. Do this by showing an image or a replica of a Persian artwork, such as a tapestry, a mosaic, or a sculpture. Explain that throughout the lesson, students will explore different aspects of Persian art, including its forms, styles, techniques, and meanings.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: "Creating a Persian Mosaic" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Description: In this hands-on activity, students will be divided into groups and given a materials kit that includes small pieces of coloured paper, glue, scissors, and a cardboard base. They will be guided to create a mosaic inspired by Persian art, using the paper pieces to form geometric patterns and figures. Provide students with examples of Persian mosaics for inspiration.

   • Objective: This activity aims to allow students to experience creating art in the Persian style, developing their visual composition skills and aesthetic appreciation. Furthermore, by working in groups, students will also develop teamwork and communication skills.

   • Steps:

     1. Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.
     2. Distribute the materials kits to each group.
     3. Explain the activity instructions and objectives, emphasizing that they should draw inspiration from Persian art to create their mosaics.
     4. Allow students to work on their mosaics, circulating around the room to provide assistance and guidance as needed.
     5. At the end of the activity, ask each group to share their mosaic with the class, explaining what they attempted to portray and why they chose the specific patterns and colours.

2. Activity 2: "Decorating a Persian Vase" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Description: In this follow-up activity, students will continue in their groups and be given an unfired clay vase and acrylic paints. They will be guided to decorate the vase inspired by the art of Ancient Persia, incorporating elements such as geometric patterns, human or animal figures, and Persian script. Provide students with examples of Persian vases for inspiration.

   • Objective: This activity aims to give students the opportunity to experience creating art on a three-dimensional surface, while further developing their understanding and appreciation of Persian art. Additionally, the activity can also serve as an introduction to the art of ceramics, an important aspect of Persian culture.

   • Steps:

     1. Leading on from the previous activity, explain the activity instructions and objectives, providing examples of decorated Persian vases.
     2. Allow students to decorate their vases, circulating around the room to provide assistance and guidance as needed.
     3. At the end of the activity, ask each group to share their vase with the class, explaining what they attempted to portray and why they chose the specific patterns, colours, and figures.

Debrief (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes)

   • Description: Bring the class together and facilitate a group discussion. Each group should share their conclusions and reflections on the activities they completed. Each group will have a maximum of 2 minutes to present their ideas.

   • Objective: This step aims to solidify student learning by allowing students to share what they have learned with their peers. Additionally, the group discussion can also help to identify different perspectives and encourage critical thinking.

   • Steps:

     1. Ask each group to select a spokesperson to present their ideas.
     2. Each group will have a maximum of 2 minutes to present. Strictly monitor the time to ensure that all groups have an equal amount of time.
     3. As the groups present, take notes on key ideas and questions that arise.

2. Connecting to Theory (3 - 4 minutes)

   • Description: Following the group discussion, briefly recap the activities, highlighting how they connect to the theory presented at the beginning of the lesson. For example, discuss how the mosaics and vases that the students created reflect the characteristics of Persian art, such as the use of colours, geometric patterns, and human and animal figures.

   • Objective: This step aims to consolidate student learning by reinforcing the connection between practice and theory. Furthermore, by explaining how the activities relate to the theory, it can also clear up any misconceptions or doubts that students may have.

   • Steps:

     1. Briefly recap the activities, highlighting the key points and learning outcomes.
     2. Then, discuss how the activities connect to the theory, using concrete examples from the students' work.

3. Individual Reflection (4 - 5 minutes)

   • Description: Finally, ask students to individually reflect on what they have learned throughout the lesson. Pose questions such as: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions do you still have?" Have students jot down their answers on a piece of paper.

   • Objective: This step aims to encourage students to reflect on their own learning, identifying what they found most valuable and what they still need to learn. Additionally, the students' responses can also provide valuable feedback to the teacher about the effectiveness of the lesson and any areas that may need reinforcement in future lessons.

   • Steps:

     1. Pose the reflection questions, explaining that students should jot down their answers on a piece of paper.
     2. Give students 2-3 minutes to reflect and write down their responses.
     3. Ensure that all students have finished writing before moving on.

Conclusion (5 - 8 minutes)

1. Summary and Recap (2 - 3 minutes)

   • Description: Summarize the main points covered during the lesson, reiterating the importance of art in Ancient Persia and the distinctive elements of its art and architecture.
   • Objective: This step aims to solidify the knowledge gained by the students, reinforcing the understanding of key concepts and ideas.
   • Steps:
     1. Briefly review the main topics discussed during the lesson, highlighting the most important elements of Persian art.
     2. Recap the hands-on activities conducted and how they provided the students with a deeper and more concrete experience of the topic.

2. Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes)

   • Description: Explain how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. Emphasize how the hands-on activity of creating mosaics and decorating vases allowed the students to apply the theoretical knowledge in a concrete and meaningful way.
   • Objective: This step aims to reinforce the importance of the interconnectedness between theory and practice, and how the application of knowledge can lead to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the subject matter.
   • Steps:
     1. Briefly explain how the theory was applied during the hands-on activities.
     2. Highlight how the practical application of knowledge helped the students to better understand Persian art.

3. Extension Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • Description: Suggest additional study materials for students who are interested in delving deeper into the topic of Persian art. This could include books, documentaries, museum websites, and online art galleries that feature collections of Ancient Persian art.
   • Objective: This step aims to encourage independent learning by providing the students with additional resources to explore the topic at their own pace and depth.
   • Steps:
     1. List the suggested materials, highlighting which aspects of Persian art they cover and why they are recommended.
     2. Encourage the students to explore these materials in their own time, and to bring any questions or discoveries to future class discussions.

4. Topic Relevance (1 minute)

   • Description: Finally, explain the relevance of Persian art in a contemporary context. Highlight how the art and culture of Ancient Persia has influenced, and continues to influence, contemporary art and culture.
   • Objective: This step aims to show students that what they have learned in class has relevance and practical applications in the real world, thus encouraging a continued interest in the topic.
   • Steps:
     1. Mention a few examples of how Persian art has influenced contemporary art and culture, such as in architecture, fashion, or digital art.
     2. Encourage students to reflect on how the art of Ancient Persia relates to the world around them, and to bring any observations or insights to future class discussions.