Art History, Edgar Degas: Lesson & Activity Elementary, Middle, High School Art

Art history is an incredibly important part of any art class. Create a well-balanced visual art class for elementary art, middle school art, and high school art classes by setting aside time every week to teach your students about important artists such as Edgar Degas.

This lesson focuses on the artist, Edgar Degas, his life, his style in impressionism, realism, and contemporary art, and his influence on modern art. Two presentations and activities are included for younger grades or adapted students and for middle and high school students.

Put a fun spin on it by presenting it as a way for them to travel around the world and learn about other cultures. They can earn stamps for their journals, similar to an actual passport, by learning about the artwork in different time periods and places.

All in all this resource includes:

➣Lesson plan (including big idea, essential questions, objectives, national art standards, Australian art standards, supplies, and step by step instructions on implementing the assignment)

➣Edgar Degas art presentation (for adapted and younger grades)

➣Artist information sheet and two quick art activities

➣Degas presentation (for middle and high school students)

➣Edgar Degas art history travel journal packet

➣Art history analysis explanation sheet

➣Project checklist

This art history lesson can be completed in class or for the students to review at home. Step-by-step instructions are included that can be followed by the teacher or a student in an independent, distance learning, or virtual learning situation.

Colour versions of the handouts are also included.

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