TEAM: Year 2
Lesson Plan Template
Teacher:
Kimberly Varner
Grade level: 5th
Date of lesson plan: April/May 2012
School name: Walt Disney Magnet
Subject: Art/Literature
Lesson Plan title and Summary: Illuminated Manuscripts and
Applying Thinking Skills
Focus Art Work
Title "Zal Climbing to Rudaba"
Date 1580/1590
Artist Shiraz Fars
Accession Number
Supplemental Artwork: "Saint George Slaying the Dragon", Book of Hours
"Saint George Killing the Dragon", Bernardo Martorell, 1400/35
Big Idea(s): How do artists use images to tell a story?
Objectives
Students will:
 Observe and Describe an Illuminated Manuscript page
 Compare and Contrast two paintings with similar themes
 Reflect and Respond to prompts about their personality
 Create an illuminated manuscript initial in watercolor
Activities/Procedure
1. Examine painting number one: "Zal Climbing the Rudaba". Record the name
of the artist, the title, the year, the medium, and the location of the painting. Answer the
prompt: What do you see? Discuss.
2. Pass out second and third painting. Students will use a Venn Diagram to list
similarities and differences between "Saint George Slaying the Dragon" manuscript page
and the painting "Saint George Killing the Dragon" by Bernardo Martorell. Discuss.
3. Students will make a list of five characteristics that describe their personality.
4. Students will make a list of three images that reflect their personality.
5. Students will look at two examples of Illuminated manuscript initials completed by
students. Students will use the images and personality characteristics to draw an
illuminated manuscript Initial utilizing either their first or last initial.
6. Students sketch will be transferred to watercolor paper and painted using watercolor paints.
Standards Addressed:
Standard
Descriptor
National Art Standard Number 1: Given a primary medium, convey ideas with evident artistic intent.
National Art Standard Number 5: Analyze how the arts shape and reflect ideas, issues, or themes in a particular
culture or historical period.
National Art Standard Number 5: Formulate questions about an artwork based on descriptions of formal
elements.
Student Assessment (attach)
Name: ________________________________________ Room ____
OBSERVE/DESCRIBE
Examine painting number one. Identify the credit line information.
Artist:
Title:
Year:
Medium:
Location:
What do you see?
COMPARE/CONTRAST
Identify the similarities and differences in the two paintings.
St. George Slaying the Dragon (detail), Book of Hours, in Latin, Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1450, illuminated
by Master of Jean Chevrot. The Morgan Library & Museum; MS M.421, fol. 23v.
Saint George killing the dragon, by Martorell, 1430-1435, Art Institute of Chicago
REFLECT/RESPOND
Make a list of five characteristics that describe your personality.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
List three images that reflect your personality.
1.
2.
3.
Look at two examples of an illuminated initial. On the back, select either your first initial or last initial
and create an illustrated letter using your images that reflect your personality.