Springfield College

Lesson Plan Template

Teacher: Amanda Howell
Subject: Visual Arts
Title of Lesson: Surreal Landscapes

Date: --Grade Level: 5

Lesson Length: 40 min

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary: The students will brainstorm 3 different settings and
compose a thumbnail sketch of a surreal landscape. Then in more detail the
students will draw out on canvas paper their surreal landscape and paint.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
1.3 use appropriate vocabulary
2.1 Color in wet media
2.6 Space and Composition
2.13 Use of color, line, texture and shape
3.3 Create work from memory or imagination
3.9 Explore the abstraction of ideas and representations,
3.10 Create original piece of work that portrays Ideas
Lesson Objectives: The students will be able to.. Define
surrealism and create a surreal art piece through the juxtaposition and/or
distortion of a landscape or an object(s)in the landscape.
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
Hand out, Sketch paper, pencils, erasers, cups, water, Brushes, Paper Towel,
Newspapers,
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas: The students will understand that
Surrealism is the combination of reality and subconscious/dream/fantasy. It
can be achieved through distortion and juxtaposition.
Concepts:
Surrealism
Juxtaposition
Distortion
Essential Questions:
What items can we combine to create a surreal image?
Where might we see surrealism?
Why is this form of expression important?
Content
Factual Content: The surrealist movement was inspired by the idea that the
unconscious mind could ignite the imagination. Through symbolism of objects
by use of distortion and juxtaposition, surrealists provide clues as to what they
might be thinking or feeling.

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Lesson Plan Template
Vocabulary:
Tier 1: portrait, landscape, background.
Tier 2: Surrealism, distortion, foreground, middle-ground
Tier 3: Juxtaposition
Critical Thinking Skills (Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening)
Students will recall and list different settings as possible options. They will
choose one and determine how to manipulate the landscape or objects in the
scenery to sketch a surreal landscape thumbnail. Students will then develop
their final image on canvas paper, first in pencil, then in paint. Students will be
able to support their ideas through critique and class discussion after
completion.
Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative,
Informal/Formal)
Completion of a surreal landscape painting, which includes foreground, middle
ground, and background, either juxtaposition and distortion of the landscape
itself, or an object(s) in the landscape. Participation in critique and discussion.
Supporting evidence of why their image is surreal.

Action/Instructional Procedures
Procedures:
Did anyone have a really weird dream last night? Want to tell us about it? Anyone else?
What about these dreams make them seem so real? How do we know they arent real?
Juxtaposition! Distortion!
Think of a setting. Could come from a dream, a family vacation, or everyday life.
What could you add or change to make it surreal?
List three settings; select one and determine how to change it or what to add to make it surreal.
Sketch thumbnail of surreal image including:
Horizon line
Foreground,

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Lesson Plan Template

middle ground,
background!
(Recap definitions of thumbnail sketch, foreground, middle ground, and background)

Draw on canvas paper (in pencil)

Teacher gives Demo on painting techniques
Sponge
Dry brush
Wet on wet blending
Layers
Back to front
Students paint their surreal landscapes

Reflection on Lesson
a. The Lesson Plan:

b. Teaching Skills:

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Template

c. The Students: