Submitted by: Todd Ritter
School: Henrico High School
Summary
This lesson centered on the concept of tolerance and uses Hitler’s Entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art) Exhibition as a springboard for understanding tolerance. In this exhibition, the Nazi regime targeted what they felt was “inferior” art by displaying these works in a disorderly manor as well as writing large inflammatory remarks around the paintings and sculptures. Many German artists were also banned from teaching or producing art all together. After studying this event, students were required to study two artists that were targeted by the Nazis as well as find a work from each artist. The students then submitted these works for a small virtual museum that attempted to restore the dignity of the art and the artist. Students created a group PowerPoint presentation that displayed their research on the artist and artworks that could be posted on the internet for others to view. This group presentation when compiled took the form of an art museum. By doing so, students gained a richer appreciation for the visual arts as well as gain an understanding of the intolerance of one group over another. Upon completion, students became more proficient with collaborative presentations and their uses in a non-linear format.
TIPC Ratings
This lesson falls in the approaching level of information fluency. Students were given a list of artists that were targeted by the Nazis. Students then selected two artists from which they were to research and create two collaborative slides for the “Degenerate Art” Restored Museum. Students designed the plan for their own research and were encouraged to seek out and share various types of valid resources. Further, through research, students were exposed to leading art museums and comprehensive art research sites exposing them to other artists who lived during that historical time period.
This lesson falls in the developing level of communication and collaboration. Students worked in groups to research the selected artist and create the museum entry for the artist. Students were also able to view their works side by side with classmates and were directly involved with the layout of each painting.
This lesson falls in the developing level of communication and collaboration. Each student researched and reflected on the work of his or her selected artist and analyzed why the art may have been banned under Hitler’s regime. Students discussed this in groups and class.
This lesson falls in the developing level of creativity and innovation. Students create original slides to assimilate into a larger predefined digital art museum.
