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January 7, 2016 5 Comments

3 Creative Ways to Teach Gothic Architecture

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When I was in high school, my awesome art history teacher (shout out to Mr. Biggers!) did one of the most fun Gothic Architecture lessons. I will NEVER forget what a flying buttress is thanks to his creative teaching. Read on for this activity and more ways to teach Gothic Architecture in an engaging way!

The Art Curator for Kids - 3 Creative Ways to Teach Gothic Architecture Lessons

Compare and Contrast Romanesque and Gothic

The Art Curator for Kids - Compare and Contrast Romanesque and Gothic Architecture Lessons

I usually teach Romanesque Architecture and Gothic Architecture together. Putting a Romanesque Cathedral next to a Gothic one highlights the main characteristics of each style, and the subtle differences train the students to really look closely and see the conventions for themselves. I have students compare multiple perspectives of the exteriors as well as interiors.

Flying Buttress Kinesthetic Activity

The Art Curator for Kids - Gothic Architecture Lessons Flying Buttress Kinesthetic Activity

Mr. Biggers had the whole class get up and pretend to be one big Gothic Cathedral together! First, have two rows of students be the walls with their arms up to be the vaults. Have them push out with their hands and discuss what happens with their body when they push against the other student across from them. When both sides are pushing it puts a lot of pressure on their bodies to stay upright.

Then, have other students in the class be the buttresses. Try both regular buttresses and flying buttresses and compare what impact they have on the stability and structure of your human Gothic Cathedral! This helps students understand the engineering behind the height of these amazing buildings!

Gothic Architecture Writing Reflections

The Art Curator for Kids - Gothic Architecture Lessons Interior
Reims Cathedral

Have students imagine entering a Gothic Cathedral for the first time and write about how they would feel entering the space. Then, have them discuss what choices the Gothic architects made to create that feeling in the visitors.

Gothic Architecture Lesson Downloads

To download a PowerPoint and printable worksheet for this lesson, join The Curated Connections Library!

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This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

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Filed Under: Art and Artists

 

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Reader Interactions

5 Comments

  1. Joanne

    January 12, 2016 at 8:27 pm

    Is the Goth Architecture going to be available on Teachers Pay Teachers?

    I love your e-mails and FB posts. I teach Honors Humanities (Greeks-Middle Ages) and have found many of your links and lessons very informative. My kids enjoy them!

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      January 15, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      I’ll put it on my to do list! I haven’t been putting much up there lately, just on the membership site. It may take me a few weeks to get it up with the course starting this week!

      Cindy

      Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      January 15, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Oh and thank you! I’m so happy your students have enjoyed the lessons. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  2. Joanna

    April 26, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    I’m still having a hard time imagine practically how the rest of the class can be buttresses and flying buttresses lol. How did you all do it without it becomes inappropriate ?

    Reply to this comment
  3. Laurel

    April 21, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    I am having big trouble visualizing the regular buttress positions of the kids. Could you either photograph the positions or draw an example. Flying buttress I can visualize easily.
    Thank you,
    Laurel

    Reply to this comment

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