Assignment 4

Lesson: Ekphrastic Expression
Objective: Students will respond to artwork through writing.
Background:  This will be the first time that my second grade students have written in this manner.  Because this is the first time, I will not expect them respond in any specific way.  Their writing will reflect whatever they want it to be because of the artwork.
Lesson format: I will display 3 pieces of artwork.  Students will choose one to look at and study for 30 seconds.  Then they will think about any part of the artwork that they find interesting for another 30 seconds. This could be anything from the colors used, action within the piece, what it makes them think about, etc.  At the end of the time they will then begin to write.  For this first lesson, there shouldn't be a time limit.  Some students will most likely write more or less than others.  When everyone is finished, those students willing to share, will.

For more advanced students this lesson could be used to teach a specific concept or skill, provide more practice, or informal assessment.  For example, verbs, adjectives, or more specifically feeling or sound words (for younger students) might be the directive. Students could work in pairs or small groups to arrange written phrases to create poems.  Still again, the artwork could be used to practice writing describing words or even verbal communication for those students with more specific needs.