CREATIVE COMMONS
LESSON PLAN
I. Lesson Number, Grade Levels, Title, and Duration:
Lesson Number 4, Grades 11-12, Creative Commons, 2 class periods
II. Lesson Rationale: Copyright regulations are fairly complex and can be confusing for students as well as
teachers, especially when trying to determine what circumstances are considered “fair use” according to
copyright law when appropriating elements of preexisting works into derivative works. Using preexisting works
that are under creative commons licensing can alleviate much of this confusion though there are several different
licenses that have unique requirements for use in derivative work.
III. Key Concepts:
Ethical behavior, appropriation, attribution, copyright, creative commons, derivative, fair use, infringement,
commercial vs. noncommercial, licensing, modification, share alike
IV. Essential Question:
What is appropriation?
How can ethical behaviors be ensured during art-making activities that utilize appropriated images?
Who controls the uses of images and why?
How has the concept of ownership of intellectual property evolved over time?
V. Lesson Objectives:
The student will be able to compare and contrast copyright and creative commons through discussion.
The student will be able to determine between copyrighted and creative commons works in the selection of
preexisting artworks to be incorporated in student artwork.
The student will be able to compare and contrast different creative commons licenses through discussion and in
the selection, download, and referencing of preexisting artworks to be incorporated in student artwork.
VI. Specific Art Content:
Appropriation, originality, derivation
VII. Resources & Materials for Teacher:
Computer, Internet access, classroom screen, speakers, http://analogdigitalart.weebly.com/lesson-4-creative-
commons.html
Copyright Clearance Center. (2010 September 24). Copyright basics [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/Uiq42O6rhW4
Creative Commons. (2014). Best practices for attribution. Retrieved from
https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Best_practices_for_attribution
Ellison, K. (2013, April 19). 5 famous copyright infringement cases (and what you can learn) [Web log post].
Retrieved from https://99designs.com/blog/tips/5-famous-copyright-infringement-cases/
Jenkins, K. (2011). Copyright infringement in fine arts classes: A brief educational overview for students and
instructors. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/KcJenkins/copyright-infringement-in-art-classes-
62630171
Monlux, M. (2009). Avoiding copyright infringement: When has an artist infringed. Retrieved from
https://graphicartistsguild.org/tools_resources/avoiding-copyright-infringement
Peter Caggia _ Staff - SalemMS. (2015 November 2). Searching Google images with a creative commons
license filter [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9hR9Gokc4E
Philinthecircle. (2014 May 10). Appropriation defined - from goodbye-art academy [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RojhelQovI
Ultimate YouTube Resource. (2013 November 25). What is creative commons? [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j7ZSEt-ME0
VIII. Resources & Materials for Students:
Computer, Internet access, Google Images, vocabulary list: attribution, appropriation, copyright, creative
commons, derivative, fair use, infringement, commercial, noncommercial, licensing, modification, share alike
IX. Instruction and Its Sequencing:
1st Day of the Lesson:
Introduction/Motivation:
Ask students if/when they have copied all or part of artworks for assignments or their own personal work
and the context for doing so. Ask them what they know about copyright and creative commons. Write their
answers on the board.
Guided Practice/Demonstration (see http://analogdigitalart.weebly.com/copyright--creative-
commons.html for resources)
Give a brief summary of famous cases of copyright infringement.
Show students videos on copyright and Creative Commons as well as slide show on copyright infringement
in art classes.
Discussion
Ask students for their opinions about copying others’ work and about protecting or sharing their own.
Write those answers on the board.
Ask them for ideas on how to appropriate imagery in an ethical way.
Classroom Management Procedures
The teacher will establish clear classroom routines and procedures.
Closure
Show students the video on searching Google Images for creative commons images. Tell students they will
perform a search for creative commons images in the next class for use in a digital artwork based on the unit
theme. Have students brainstorm/sketch in sketchbooks the type(s) of imagery they anticipate appropriating
for use in the digital artwork.
2nd Day of the Lesson:
Introduction/Motivation:
Guided Practice/Demonstration
Students will be led through the initial stages of setting parameters for an advanced image
search on Google Images for images listed under usage rights other than “not filtered by
license” through the “search tools” option.
Show how to select the different usage rights options in the search tools on Google Images. Go
through each to show how the results change depending on search parameters.
Stress that students will need to find images that are licensed for modification—two options,
commercial and noncommercial.
Choose a demo image for use and show students how to “Visit Page” to see the original online
source for reference.
Show students how to find the image creator’s information for attribution as well as any other
information required by the creative commons license.
Demonstrate how and where students should download and store selected images.
Take the students through documenting the image, source, and creator as a reference in a word
processing application, such as MSWord.
Independent Practice
Students will find and download 3-5 creative commons images licensed for modification to a folder on
the computer or storage device for use in a future project connected to the unit theme and essential
questions raised in Lesson 1.
In a Word document (or other word processing program), the student will explain for each image
downloaded which Creative Commons license was used, the original online source will be referenced
by website name and URL, and the original creator attributed as well as any other information required
by the Creative Commons license.
Formative Evaluation
The teacher will check with each student as they work to see that their selected images are licensed for
modification and that the student is documenting the required image information.
Classroom Management Procedures
The teacher will establish clear classroom routines and procedures.
Closure
As a class, have students report their experiences through discussion. Ask students about the benefits of
using creative commons images and what limitations or challenges are encountered by using creative
commons. Remind students they will use their downloaded images in the next lesson.
X. Summative Assessment and Evaluation:
Students will download at least 3-5 images with creative commons licensing that allows modification from
Google Images searches, save those files in a folder on the computer or a storage device, and create a
document that references the type of license, the online source, and the image creator.
Exemplary Satisfactory Emerging
Creative Commons All images downloaded Most images downloaded Few images downloaded
images fall within creative fall within creative fall within creative
commons licensing that commons licensing that commons licensing that
allows modification allows modification allows modification
References All downloaded images Most downloaded images Few downloaded images
referenced with original referenced with original referenced with original
creator and original creator and original creator and original
source site source site source site
Quantity 5 or more images 3-4 images downloaded Fewer than 3 downloaded
downloaded that meet that meet criteria that meet criteria
criteria
XI. Interdisciplinary Connections:
Technology, literature, music
XII. References & Resources:
Copyright Clearance Center. (2010 September 24). Copyright basics [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/Uiq42O6rhW4
Creative Commons. (2014). Best practices for attribution. Retrieved from
https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Best_practices_for_attribution
Creative Commons. (n.d.). About the licenses. Retrieved from https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
Ellison, K. (2013, April 19). 5 famous copyright infringement cases (and what you can learn) [Web log post].
Retrieved from https://99designs.com/blog/tips/5-famous-copyright-infringement-cases/
Ferriter, B. (2010). Teaching students about the creative commons. Retrieved from
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/6443
Jenkins, K. (2011). Copyright infringement in fine arts classes: A brief educational overview for students and
instructors. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/KcJenkins/copyright-infringement-in-art-classes-
62630171
Monlux, M. (2009). Avoiding copyright infringement: When has an artist infringed. Retrieved from
https://graphicartistsguild.org/tools_resources/avoiding-copyright-infringement
Peter Caggia _ Staff - SalemMS. (2015 November 2). Searching Google images with a creative commons
license filter [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9hR9Gokc4E
Philinthecircle. (2014 May 10). Appropriation defined - from goodbye-art academy [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RojhelQovI
TEDx Talks. (2012 October 5). Copyright and the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction: Eric
Doeringer at TEDxChelsea [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=731m0zsbm_w
Ultimate YouTube Resource. (2013 November 25). What is creative commons? [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j7ZSEt-ME0
XIII. Art TEKS covered in this lesson, indicated in * bold
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter117/ch117c.html
§117.304. Art, Level III
§117.305. Art, Level IV
(c) Knowledge and skills covered in this lesson, indicated in * bold
(1) Foundations: observation and perception. The student develops and expands visual literacy skills using
critical thinking, imagination, and the senses to observe and explore the world by learning about,
understanding, and applying the elements of art, principles of design, and expressive qualities. The student
uses what the student sees, knows, and has experienced as sources for examining, understanding, and
creating original artwork.
(2) Creative expression. The student communicates ideas through original artwork using a variety of media
with appropriate skills. The student expresses thoughts and ideas creatively while challenging the
imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined effort and progressive problem-
solving skills.
*(3) Historical and cultural relevance. The student demonstrates an understanding of art history and
culture by analyzing artistic styles, historical periods, and a variety of cultures. The student develops global
awareness and respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures.
* (4) Critical evaluation and response. The student responds to and analyzes the artworks of self and
others, contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned
evaluations.
XIV. National Art Standards
Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
*see PDF at
http://www.nationalartsstandards.org/sites/default/files/Visual%20Arts%20at%20a%20Glance%20-
%20new%20copyright%20info.pdf
This work is created by Adetty Pérez de Miles & Kevin Jenkins and licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
