Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Recognize the Basic Elements of Islamic Art: The students should be able to identify the core elements of Islamic art, such as calligraphy, geometric patterns, and intricate designs. They should understand that Islamic art often avoids depicting human figures and instead focuses on decorative and spiritual elements.

2. Appreciate the Diversity of Islamic Art: The students should become aware that Islamic art encompasses a variety of artistic expressions from different periods and regions. This will help them understand that, despite having a common religious and cultural foundation, Islamic art can be diverse and multifaceted.

3. Develop Artistic Vocabulary: The students should learn the basic terminology related to Islamic art. This vocabulary will enable them to describe and analyze Islamic art pieces accurately and in detail.

   Sub-objectives:

   • Develop Critical Thinking: By examining and discussing Islamic art, the students will cultivate their critical thinking skills. They will learn to form their own opinions about art and to express them in a reasoned and respectful manner.

   • Cultivate Cultural Awareness: Through studying Islamic art, the students will gain insights into Islamic culture, history, and values. This awareness will contribute to their overall cultural literacy and foster respect for diversity.

Introduction (7 - 10 minutes)

• Review of Prior Knowledge: The teacher reminds students of previous lessons on different art forms and cultures. They should recall basic art concepts, such as patterns, symmetry, and symbolism, as these will be important in understanding Islamic art. The teacher also reminds students about the importance of respect and openness when discussing different cultures and religions. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Problem Situations: The teacher presents two hypothetical situations to the students:

  1. Imagine being an art curator who has just received a collection of Islamic art. How would you describe and categorize these artworks for an exhibition?

  2. Suppose you are an artist inspired by Islamic art. How would you incorporate elements of Islamic art into your work while being respectful of its religious and cultural significance?

  These scenarios introduce students to the practical applications of the knowledge they will gain from the lesson. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Real-World Context: The teacher explains that Islamic art is not just part of history, but it is also a living tradition that continues to influence contemporary design, fashion, architecture, and other fields. By studying Islamic art, students will gain a deeper understanding of a major world culture, which is a valuable skill in our increasingly global society. (1 - 2 minutes)

• Engaging Introduction: To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two fascinating facts about Islamic art:

  1. Story of Calligraphy: The teacher tells the story of how calligraphy became a major art form in Islam. When the Quran was first written down, calligraphers developed beautiful scripts to honor the holy text. Over time, these scripts became an art form in their own right, adorning mosques and palaces across the Islamic world.

  2. The Complexity of Geometric Design: The teacher shows a picture of an intricate geometric pattern from an Islamic tile and asks the students to guess how many different shapes they can see. Then, the teacher reveals that this design is based on just one basic shape repeated and rotated in different ways. This introduces the students to the complexity and creativity of Islamic geometric design. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development

Pre-Class Activities (15 - 20 minutes)

1. Reading: Understanding the Essence of Islamic Art: The teacher will provide an article for students to read at home. This article should explain the basic themes of Islamic art, such as the use of calligraphy, geometric patterns, and elaborate designs. It must also emphasize the avoidance of human figures in Islamic art focusing on spiritual and decorative elements. (5 - 7 minutes)

2. Video Lesson: Exploring Diversity: The teacher selects a documentary or short video lesson that explores the diversity of Islamic Art. This video should provide examples from different time periods and regions, highlighting the wide range of artistic expression within Islamic art. Students are instructed to note down any questions or observations they might have while watching. (10 - 13 minutes)

In-Class Activities (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: The Curator's Challenge (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher divides students into small groups of no more than 5 people.

2. The teacher presents each group with images of a set of diverse Islamic art pieces. This set should contain examples of calligraphy, geometric design, and other decorative arts from various periods and regions.

3. Each team becomes temporary "curators" of their set of artworks. Their task is:

   • Identify integral components of each art piece, drawing from what they learned from their pre-class activities.

   • Categorize the artworks based on period, region, or type of art (calligraphy, geometric design, etc.)

   • Discuss and decide how they would present the artworks in an exhibition, considering the order of display, and write an informative description for visitors that explains the categorization and the main features of each piece.

4. After the groups finish, they present their curated collection and their reasoning behind their categorization and presentation decisions to the rest of the class.

Activity 2: Creating a Modern Islamic Art Piece (10 - 13 minutes)

1. The groups are instructed to remain together for the next activity.

2. The teacher provides each group with art supplies: paper, pens, pencils, rulers, and colored markers. The teacher explains that the students will now become artists and their task is to create a piece of modern art inspired by Islamic art.

3. The students must focus on incorporating Islamic art elements, such as geometric patterns and calligraphy, into their work. They should also consider how they can express a modern theme or message through their artwork.

4. The activity encourages students to respectfully engage with Islamic cultural elements and apply them creatively. This process should foster dialogue within teams about the appropriate use of cultural symbolisms in art.

5. When the teams finish, each one presents their art piece explaining the Islamic elements they incorporated, why they chose them, and what modern theme or message they aimed to express through their work.

By the end of the development stage, students are expected to have a firmer understanding and appreciation of Islamic art, as well as honing their abilities to work in teams and apply their knowledge creatively.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

• Group Discussion: The teacher requests each group to present their conclusions from the activities. Each group is given up to 3 minutes to share their curated collections and their modern Islamic art piece. They should also share their thoughts on the process and the decisions they made during the activities. (4 - 5 minutes)

• Connecting Theory and Practice: After all groups have presented, the teacher facilitates a discussion on how the group activities connect with the theoretical knowledge they acquired from the pre-class activities. The teacher points out how the students applied their understanding of Islamic art's core elements in curating the art pieces and creating their own artwork. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Reflection: The teacher then asks the students to reflect on the knowledge gained and their own experiences during the lesson. They are encouraged to think about answers to the following questions:

  1. What was the most important concept learned today?
  2. What questions remain unanswered?

  The students should write down their reflections in their notebooks. This reflection will help students solidify their understanding of the material and identify any areas where they may need further clarification. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Closing Remarks: The teacher concludes the lesson by reiterating the importance of understanding and appreciating different cultures' art forms, in this case, Islamic art. The teacher also appreciates the students' active participation and encourages them to continue exploring more about Islamic art in their own time. (1 minute)

This feedback stage fosters an atmosphere for students to share, discuss, and reflect on their learning experiences. It enables them to appreciate their achievements and identify areas for further exploration and understanding.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

• Recap of the Lesson: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, recapping the core elements of Islamic art, such as calligraphy, geometric patterns, and the avoidance of human figures, and its focus on spiritual and decorative elements. The teacher also emphasizes the diversity of Islamic art, with different expressions from different periods and regions. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications: The teacher explains how the lesson connected theoretical knowledge, practical application, and real-world relevance. Students learned about the principles of Islamic art through reading and watching a video. They then applied this knowledge in practical activities: curating a collection of Islamic art and creating their own Islamic-inspired art piece. These activities helped students understand how knowledge of art can be applied in real-world situations, such as curating an art exhibition or creating their own art. (1 - 2 minutes)

• Additional Materials: The teacher suggests additional resources for students who are interested in learning more about Islamic art. These could include recommendations for websites, books, documentaries, virtual museum tours, and local exhibitions featuring Islamic art. The teacher reminds the students to continue exploring and learning about Islamic art, and encourages them to share any interesting resources they find with the rest of the class. (1 - 2 minutes)

• Relevance of the Topic: Finally, the teacher discusses the importance of understanding and appreciating Islamic art in everyday life. They explain how Islamic art's influence can be seen in many places, from architecture and interior design to fashion and graphic design. The teacher emphasizes that studying Islamic art not only enriches students' artistic knowledge but also fosters cultural awareness and respect for diversity. This awareness is essential in our increasingly global society, where understanding and appreciating different cultures is a valuable skill. (1 minute)

This concluding stage provides students with a summary of the lesson, connects the theoretical knowledge with practical applications, and emphasizes the importance of Islamic art in everyday life. It also encourages students to continue learning about Islamic art outside the classroom.