Think Critically about Art using Digital Discussions. Students develop critical thinking skills by engaging with artistic works and in describing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating works of self and others.

Tracking Self-Assessment Over Time. Students use interactive digital tools to document progress over time. A common rubric can be used for self-assessment and reflection, based on teacher-established criteria and/or personal learning goals set by the student.

When world events suddenly shift our perspective and present overwhelming concerns, thinking like an artist can offer a way to creatively reflect on and process our days. Use the art, videos, and ideas in this lesson concept to help students explore ways to visually articulate their experiences by considering the colors, objects, and materials they encounter throughout their days.

Smarthistory is a free resource developed for art and art history instructors full of academic essays and videos. This lesson guides students through synthesizing materials in Smarthistory to create short video presentations on artist techniques, art movements, artists, and artist statements. The products can become a classroom video library resource for students by students that builds over time.

Artists throughout time have come to their work with stories to tell, concepts to explore, and puzzles to work out. By taking time to look at a work of art with a curious and investigative eye, students can activate creative thinking to imagine and expand on the story it presents. Use this interactive exercise to guide students as they examine a work by Roslyn Drexler, creatively document the ideas it presents to them, and consider how their thoughts connect with the artist's own ideas and intentions.

Artworks can offer an opportunity to consider creativity in places and times that may be different from our own. Spending time to look carefully at the form, imagery, texture, and patterns of a work of art can help students consider and become curious about the materials and techniques, artistic conventions, and cultural contexts of unfamiliar objects. Use this interactive exercise to guide students as they examine an Ancient American work of art, document the ideas it presents to them, and consider how their thoughts connect with what we know about the artist's own ideas and intentions.

Art is often about making ideas and beliefs visible. For centuries, religions across the globe have used images to represent complex and abstract ideas about humankind's place in the cosmos. Students can use this interactive exercise to spend thoughtful time with a religious work of art and become curious about the way art can help communicate sacred and profound ideas.

Art objects made and used in the past can offer clues to the ideas and attitudes that may have been prevalent at the time of their creation. Spending time to thoughtfully examine and explain their own ideas about such an object encourages students to become curious and open lines of inquiry about historical context. This interactive exercise guides students as they document their thinking about an 18th century American artwork.

We can look at art to analyze and interpret the ideas at play; we can also use art as a prompt for creativity; but these two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Use this simple creative writing exercise to help students collaboratively use creative thinking in tandem with critical thinking as they make meaning from an abstract artwork.

This activity activates prior knowledge while developing insight into historical perspectives. Use this activity to help students broaden their horizons and explore diverse ideas.

In this Thematic Exploration, students will explore the different ways artists represent individuals in portraits. They will learn to gather clues about the time period in which the portrait was created, the lives of the subjects, and the thoughts of the artists.

Using portraits from the VMFA's collection, students will explore the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of portraiture. Guiding questions are woven throughout the activity, alongside a close examination of seven different portraits from a variety of different eras and cultures. Students are encouraged to observe, interpret, analyze, and reflect thoughtfully in each step. This activity also includes summative reflection questions to wrap up the conversation, as well as an optional "Create Your Own Portrait" activity.