In this lesson, high school Studio Art I students will search, explore and evaluate a variety of resources that provide fine art images. Through a combination of analytical and collaborative activities in the SLMC, the students will make connections between literacy and its visual component. To be verbally literate, one must master the basic components of written language: the letters, words, spelling, grammar, and syntax. Similarly, visual literacy follows the same principles. Just as there are components and common meaning for the elements of verbal literacy, components and common meaning exist for the elements of visual literacy. Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, use, appreciate, and create images and video using both conventional and 21st century media in ways that advance thinking, decision-making, communication, and learning (Schrock). Students will be better able to determine relevant fine art images and be better information seekers as their visual literacy develops.

This lesson is intended for one class period, with time outside of class required for contributions to the wiki. This teacher-librarian taught lesson is part of an overall self-portraiture art unit presented by the art teacher. The unit will include having students research an artist�s development through self-portraiture by examining visual elements and conclude with the creation of a self-portrait that reflects their learning.

Instructional Goals: 

• Studio Art students will understand that visual images are information resources.
•  Studio Art students will be able to locate, explore, and analyze a variety of fine art resources.
• Students will be able to successfully identify images that are relevant to the information search from those images that are not.
• Studio Art students will understand that visual images, as information resources, should be used and cited appropriately.
• Studio Art students will understand how cooperative technology can contribute to greater classroom learning.

Learning Objectives:

• When asked, each Studio Art student will identify five different fine art image resources.
• Each Studio Art student will be able to perform a successful search for an image meeting specified criteria.
• Each Studio Art student will contribute a written evaluation of a fine art image resource to a classroom wiki.
• Studio Art students will work cooperatively in small groups to analyze a visual resource.
• Studio Art students will cooperatively present their analysis of a fine art image resource to the class.
• Each Studio Art student will demonstrate at least 80% mastery on an in-class practice quiz.

 Motivational Goals:

• Encourage Studio Art students’ confidence in their ability to locate and search for visual images that fulfill their information needs.
• Reinforce Studio Art students’ appreciation of visual images as a source of information.
• Promote the value of information literacy skills across the curriculum.
• Motivate student learning through the use of interactive forms of technology.

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Studio Art teacher