Exploring Georgia O'Keeffe

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces 7th-grade students to the life and art of Georgia O'Keeffe, focusing on understanding her artistic style and historical significance. Students will develop critical thinking and analytical skills by examining O'Keeffe’s artwork and creating their own inspired pieces. The lesson closely follows Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with emphasis on reading comprehension, writing, and speaking/listening skills within an art context.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Describe key facts about Georgia O’Keeffe’s life and artistic contributions.
• Analyze artistic elements and themes in O’Keeffe’s work.
• Create original artwork inspired by O’Keeffe’s style.
• Communicate ideas clearly through a brief presentation and written reflection.

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Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) — Grade 7

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly and inferences drawn from the text (biography reading).
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.3: Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (understanding biography and historical context).
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4: Present claims and findings clearly, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics and texts.

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Materials Needed

• Printed or projected biography excerpt on Georgia O’Keeffe (1 page)
• High-quality images of 3–4 of O’Keeffe’s paintings (e.g., “Red Canna,” “Black Iris III,” “Sky Above Clouds”)
• Drawing and coloring supplies: markers, colored pencils, paper (letter size)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Student journals or writing paper

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction + Hook (10 minutes)

• Hook: Begin by showing a dramatic close-up image of one of O’Keeffe’s flower paintings and asking students what they notice, inviting sensory and emotional observations.
• Explain briefly who Georgia O’Keeffe was — a pioneering American modernist artist known for magnifying natural forms such as flowers, bones, and landscapes.
• Distribute or project the biography excerpt and read aloud together. Use think-pair-share strategy to highlight important points about her life and art.

2. Guided Exploration: Art Analysis (15 minutes)

• Show 3–4 key O’Keeffe paintings. For each:
  • Guide students in discussing use of color, shape, and composition.
  • Ask: How do these paintings make you feel? What story or mood do you think O’Keeffe is conveying?
• Introduce basic art vocabulary (e.g., abstraction, magnification, contrast) and relate to the paintings.
• Students jot down observations in their journals, supporting opinions with evidence from the images (ties to CCSS.RI.7.1).

3. Creative Project: Inspired Artwork (20 minutes)

• Explain that students will create their own artwork inspired by O’Keeffe’s technique of magnifying parts of nature (flowers, leaves, or personal objects).
• Encourage experimentation with color, form, and close-up perspectives.
• Circulate to support and ask reflective questions to deepen their creative process.

4. Presentation & Reflection (10 minutes)

• Students pair up to present their artwork briefly—describe their subject, artistic choices, and connection to O’Keeffe. (Aligns with CCSS.SL.7.4).
• Then write a short paragraph in their journals explaining their inspiration and what they learned about Georgia O’Keeffe and art. (Aligns with CCSS.W.7.2)

5. Closing + Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Ask one closing question on the board: “How did Georgia O’Keeffe’s unique view of nature influence art?”
• Students write a 1–2 sentence “exit ticket” response to check understanding before leaving (informal assessment).

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Assessment

• Informal assessment through participation in discussions and presentations.
• Student journal entries analyzing artwork and explaining creation process.
• Exit tickets assessing comprehension of O’Keeffe’s influence and style.

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Differentiation and Extensions

• For Students Needing Support: Provide vocabulary word banks, visual sentence starters, and one-on-one assistance during the project.
• For Advanced Students: Encourage them to research another O’Keeffe painting not covered and compare it to their own work in a written or oral explanation.

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Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, reflect on student engagement, the effectiveness of biography discussion in deepening understanding, and how well students connected their creative work to O’Keeffe’s style. Plan any needed adjustments to scaffold or enrich future lessons on modern artists.

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This innovative lesson plan balances art appreciation, literacy skills, and creative expression within a structured Common Core framework to inspire curiosity about a foundational American artist.