Lesson Plan

• Describe at least three social or cultural factors that can influence a painting.
• Analyse a selected artwork by identifying subject matter, setting, colour palette and linking these to its historical context.
• Evaluate how an artist’s background and intended audience shape visual choices.
• Communicate findings using appropriate art terminology in oral and written formats.

• Projector and screen for image slideshow
• Digital images of selected paintings (USB or online links)
• Printed analysis worksheets / checklist
• Research handouts with a list of paintings
• Laptops or tablets for online research
• Art supplies – paints, brushes, mixed‑media materials for creative response
• Whiteboard and markers

Show a rapid slideshow of three iconic works that sparked social change and ask, “What social issue might this image be addressing?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of visual elements from earlier lessons. Explain that today they will identify and evaluate the social and cultural forces behind artworks, using a clear analysis checklist as their success criteria.

1. Do‑now (5'): View three images and write one word describing the possible social issue each reflects.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Introduce key social & cultural factors (historical events, religion, class, politics, technology, globalisation) with examples.
3. Contextual Research (15'): Students choose a painting from the handout, research its background, and complete the analysis worksheet.
4. Comparative Analysis (10'): In pairs, compare two paintings from different cultures that share a theme, discussing how cultural values shape visual representation.
5. Creative Response Planning (10'): Sketch a small mixed‑media piece that addresses a contemporary issue (e.g., climate change) and write a brief artist statement linking the work to the issue.
6. Gallery Walk & Peer Feedback (10'): Display sketches; peers provide feedback using the assessment checklist.
7. Whole‑class Debrief (5'): Recap how social and cultural contexts influence artistic choices and check understanding against the objectives.

Summarise the ways social and cultural contexts shape artistic decisions, highlighting examples from today’s activities. For the exit ticket, each student writes one factor that influenced their own creative piece. Homework: research a current news story and draft a brief proposal for an artwork that responds to it, noting the social/cultural angle.