Choose which areas of Gothic art you will address. The Gothic art movement included a number of branches of art, so you will need to choose on which to focus. This decision will also depend on the number of sessions you teach and the amount of time allotted to each session. One approach is the survey, in which you address several elements in general. The second is a specific approach, in which you explore one or two areas in detail.
Develop an audio and visual component. Gothic art should be viewed as well as discussed. Images, videos or models are useful ways to demonstrate the principles of Gothic art, such as buttresses in architecture or religious imagery in paintings. Choose significant and representative pieces, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, for architecture, or Hieronymus Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights," for painting, and provide commentary to demonstrate trends within both art forms and the Gothic period as a whole.
Plan a trip, if you are able to take your students on a field trip to view Gothic pieces. This supplements the audio and visual element of your course or class. Many museums feature Gothic works. In some cities, especially in Europe, Gothic art and influence can be seen in many buildings and statues. While on the trip, assign students a project, such as identifying art pieces or choosing their favorite architecture and commenting on them.
Assign creative projects. Teaching Gothic art effectively requires capturing the attention and imagination of the student. If assigning an essay, require a creative angle in the assignment, such as an interview with an expert or some personal reflection by the student on the significance of the movement. For younger students, a hands-on approach may be best by assigning them a group diorama or statue-making project in the Gothic style.