MIDDLE SCHOOL
Self portrait
Grade: 8th • Number of periods: 4 • Materials: phone with camera, printer, paper, crayons, rubbing plates, watercolors, brushes, acetate envelopes, sharpies, acrylic paint.
Description: In this mixed media lesson, students rethink the idea of the selfie and analyze different sides of their personalities to reflect on their own identity. They expand knowledge of color theory, including opposite and analogous colors. Students plan and execute a project that involves multiple steps, including creating a separate background and a portrait painting on a piece of clear acetate.
Documents that changed america
Grade: 7th • Number of periods: 4 • Materials: Computer for research, paper, chisel calligraphy pens or brush markers, pencils, erasers, rulers.
Description: This 7th grade lesson integrates social studies curriculum. Students analyze historical documents such as the Constitution and make connections to today’s social issues. They experiment using brush markers or chisel pens in order to create their own calligraphy style and alphabet. Finally, they create their own amendment document, proposing a 28th amendment to the Constitution.
Studio art - Chalk Study
Grade: 8th • Number of periods: 2 • Materials: paper, pencils, chalk, objects and visual references.
Description: An exercise on foundations of art, students train their eyes to observe objects closely, and to notice negative space, positive space, contour and shape. After a warm up, students draw objects from observation, focusing on the contours and shapes. Students practice drawing with chalk and experiment with blending techniques. Students discuss the medium and the elements of art that they find on their work.
mechanical toy
Grade: 6th • Number of periods: 3 • Materials: paper, pencils, chalk, objects and visual references.
Description: In this STEAM lesson, students will explore simple mechanisms and understand how forces such as tension and compression work by creating a mechanical flip toy. They will discover how they can incorporate movement and kinetics to their art as a different expressive medium.
