Overview

This 5-day unit introduces 7th-grade students to the life, artistic style, and significance of Georgia O’Keeffe, a pioneering American modernist artist. Students will engage in visual analysis, historical context, and creative projects inspired by her unique approach to form and color. The unit uses Kagan cooperative learning structures, scaffolded instruction (“I do, We do, You do”), and high-yield exit tickets to maximize engagement and mastery.

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Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Alignment

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.7: Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.1 (Art crossover – Geometry in Art): Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including understanding proportions and symmetry.

Kentucky Visual Arts Standards

• VA:Cr1.1.7 (Creating): Demonstrate persistence and understanding of artistic materials and tools to create artworks inspired by the study of wilderness and nature.
• VA:Re8.1.7 (Responding): Analyze the relationship between Georgia O’Keeffe’s artworks and the culture or context in which they were made.
• VA:Pr6.1.7 (Presenting): Develop art presentations that explain personal interpretations informed by research on O’Keeffe’s life and techniques.

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Day 1: Introduction to Georgia O’Keeffe

Purpose

Students will learn who Georgia O’Keeffe was, contextualize her work within American Modernism, and analyze common themes in her art.

Materials

• Projector and computer for slideshow
• Printouts of O’Keeffe’s artworks
• Chart paper and markers

Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1
• VA:Re8.1.7

Agenda

Time	Activity	Description	Structure
10 min	Hook: Visual Gallery Walk	Students view large images of O’Keeffe’s works displayed around the room silently	Kagan RoundRobin
10 min	I Do: Mini-Lecture	Teacher presents overview of O’Keeffe’s biography, style, and key themes (close-ups of flowers, landscapes, abstraction)	Direct Instruction
15 min	We Do: Guided Analysis	Whole class analyzes one painting using a “See-Think-Wonder” routine	Think-Pair-Share
20 min	You Do: Small Group Discussion	In groups of 4, students discuss which themes or colors they notice in O’Keeffe’s work and why this might matter	Kagan Quartet
5 min	Exit Ticket	One word or phrase that describes how O’Keeffe’s art makes you feel and why (posted on a class word wall)	Individual reflection

Accountability

Exit tickets collected for quick informal assessment.

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Day 2: Form and Color in O’Keeffe’s Flowers

Purpose

Explore how O’Keeffe uses shape, form, and color to evoke emotion and focus on detail in her flower paintings.

Materials

• Colored pencils and drawing paper
• Printouts of flower paintings
• “I Do, We Do, You Do” graphic organizer

Standards

• VA:Cr1.1.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2

Agenda

Time	Activity	Description	Structure
10 min	I Do: Model Drawing Techniques	Teacher demonstrates sketching a simplified flower focusing on contour and shading	Direct Instruction
15 min	We Do: Collaborative Sketch	Partners sketch a flower together, discussing color choices and contour lines	Kagan Pair-Share
25 min	You Do: Independent Drawing	Students create their own detailed flower drawing inspired by O’Keeffe	Individual Work
10 min	Exit Ticket	Write one sentence describing how color changes the mood of a flower painting	Individual reflection

Accountability

Collect drawings; review exit tickets for understanding of color mood.

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Day 3: Abstraction and Scale

Purpose

Understand abstraction and the use of scale in O’Keeffe’s paintings to emphasize details of natural subjects.

Materials

• Examples of O’Keeffe’s enlarged flower paintings
• Grid paper and rulers
• Large poster boards for final project

Standards

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.1 (geometry and scale)
• VA:Cr1.1.7

Agenda

Time	Activity	Description	Structure
10 min	I Do: Mini-Lesson on Scale & Abstraction	Teacher explains how O’Keeffe enlarged her subjects and simplified forms	Direct Instruction
15 min	We Do: Grid Drawing	Class creates a grid over a photo of a flower and practices scaling it up on a poster-sized grid	Kagan Think-Pair-Share
25 min	You Do: Create Abstract Flower	Students work in pairs to design an abstract enlargement of a flower on poster board	Kagan Peer Coaching
10 min	Exit Ticket	List one new thing you learned about abstraction and scale today	Individual reflection

Accountability

Poster drafts assessed for understanding of scaling and abstraction.

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Day 4: Cultural Context and Artistic Impact

Purpose

Analyze how O’Keeffe’s geography, culture, and time influenced her art and legacy.

Materials

• Text excerpts on O’Keeffe’s New Mexico period
• Video clip showing landscapes of the Southwest
• Discussion questions

Standards

• VA:Re8.1.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1

Agenda

Time	Activity	Description	Structure
10 min	I Do: Context Presentation	Teacher narrates O’Keeffe’s shift to New Mexico and how its environment shaped her work	Direct Instruction
10 min	Watch Video Clip	Students view a 5-minute video showcasing New Mexico’s landscapes and culture	Whole group viewing
15 min	We Do: Collaborative Text Analysis	In groups, students analyze text excerpts and list cultural influences evident in O’Keeffe’s art	Kagan Jigsaw
20 min	You Do: Write Response	Write a brief paragraph explaining how place influenced O’Keeffe’s art	Individual writing
5 min	Exit Ticket	Share one fact about O’Keeffe’s life that surprised you	Individual reflection

Accountability

Written paragraphs checked for connection of culture to art.

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Day 5: Personal Project & Presentation

Purpose

Encourage creativity by combining learned techniques to create and present O’Keeffe-inspired original artworks.

Materials

• Various art supplies: watercolors, colored pencils, pastels, charcoal
• Presentation rubric
• Peer feedback forms

Standards

• VA:Cr1.1.7
• VA:Pr6.1.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1

Agenda

Time	Activity	Description	Structure
15 min	You Do: Create Artwork	Students create an original artwork inspired by O’Keeffe’s style (flower, landscape, abstraction)	Individual Work
25 min	We Do: Peer Critique	Students exchange artworks in small groups and provide constructive feedback using prompts	Kagan Mix-Pair
15 min	I Do / Present	Volunteers share their artwork explaining inspiration and technique; teacher models presentation skills	Class Presentations
5 min	Exit Ticket	Write one new skill or idea you want to keep using after today	Individual Reflection

Accountability

Use presentation rubric and peer feedback forms for formative assessment.

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Teacher Notes for Kagan Structures

• RoundRobin: During gallery walk on Day 1, each student quickly shares one thing they notice.
• Think-Pair-Share: Used frequently to scaffold discussion and critical thinking.
• Quartet/Jigsaw: Groups assigned different passages or artworks to analyze and then teach peers.
• Peer Coaching & Mix-Pair: Especially useful Day 3 & 5 to encourage dialogue and reflection.

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Assessment Strategy

• Daily exit tickets for formative assessment.
• Final artwork project assessed with rubric focusing on creativity, technique, and understanding of O’Keeffe’s themes.
• Participation in discussions and peer reviews.
• Written paragraph on Day 4 assessing ability to connect art to cultural context.

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WOW Factor Suggestion for Teachers

Invite students to participate in a simulated “virtual gallery opening,” where they invite family members or other classes via video call to present their O’Keeffe-inspired art and share what they’ve learned. This extends the lesson beyond the classroom, integrates communication skills, and elevates student pride in their work.

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This comprehensive lesson plan blends art analysis, creative practice, and cross-curricular literacy and math standards—engaging 7th graders in deeper understanding of a major American artist through scaffolded and collaborative learning.