In a lesson, appreciation is an aim strictly speaking, not a method. It involves aspects of knowledge, skills and attitudinal change.

"Appreciation" refers both to the ability to enjoy and the ability to evaluate an aesthetic experience (in music, literature, painting etc.). Enjoyment implies some degree of understanding; the experience is both intellectual and emotional. Understanding is necessary to evaluation, which is an intellectual process,

 Much of a teacher's success in such a lesson depends on their own appreciation, and the sensitivity of their teaching personality - knowing when to intrude and when to withdraw, when to influence a learner's thinking, and when to allow the learner to express his or her thoughts freely. When a learner's impressions are sought they should be respected as personal, and at all times sincerity and integrity should be encouraged.

 SPECIFIC AIMS: In a lesson aiming at appreciation the teacher may pursue any of the following aims or combination of aims:

A. To provide pupils with opportunity to enjoy an aesthetic experience. or

B. To widen pupils' understanding of the experience, perhaps including understanding of technique or

C. To lead to evaluation.

METHODS : A lesson aiming at appreciation often is based on the Study and, or Reasoning Methods although in some lessons other methods such as Explanation, Practice, or Narrative might be better suited to the SpecificAim.

A lesson involving Aim A (To provide pupils with opportunity to enjoy an aesthetic experience) might have the following steps:

 Step 1. Preparation for experience. For example , relating the coming experience to a convention or setting.

Step 2. The experience

Step 3. (Optional) Reaction to the experience. There may be:-

• A period for reflection,
• A minimum of comment or explanation by the teacher.
• Any form of expression such as spontaneous comment, mime, dramatization, drawing, music, composition.

Step 4. (Optional) Reaction to the experience.

Step 1. Preparation for experience. For example, relating the coming experience to a convention or setting.

Step 2. The experience.

Step 3. Discussion.

• There may or may not be a period of reflection.
• According to Specific Aims B or C.
• Efforts at evaluation will be greatly assisted by opportunities to compare and contrast.

Step 4. Renewed experience. This may be omitted or it may arise out of, or be associated with Step 3.