Printing Press mural in Evolution of the Book series, John W. Alexander. 
About this image
Lesson Plan
The Evolution of the Book: Introducing Students to Visual Analysis
Lesson Overview | Preparation | Procedure | Evaluation
Overview
Students will develop visual literacy skills by analyzing the images from John White Alexander’s mural in the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress, while learning about the history of the Library of Congress. Then, students will further their skills by using tools of art and design to analyze other images from the Library’s extensive online collections.
Objectives
After completing this unit students will be able to:
- Analyze a visual resource
- Extract meaning from images
- Use graphic organizers to record observations and thoughts
Time Required
Two 50-minute class periods
Recommended Grade Level
Grades 4-8
Topics
Architecture, Landscape
Government, Law
Era
Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900
Standards
McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks
Historical Understanding
- Standard 2. Understands the historical perspective
Language Arts
- Standard 9. Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media
Visual Arts
- Standard 4. Understands the visual arts in relation to history and culture
Credits
Nancy Kupferman, The Robert F. Wagner Jr. Secondary School for the Arts and Technology, Long Island City, New York, 2008