8th Grade Art

This unit is an introduction to the Elements of Art - the building blocks for creating any work of art, as well as the Principles of Design - the ways that artists use the elements to plan strong compositions. Students will first learn the vocabulary relevant to the Elements and Principles, allowing them to use a common language to communicate with each other and provide a way for viewers to interpret and understand what they're seeing. Students will learn how the Elements of Art and Principles of Design are essential in providing structure and framework, and be able to apply their knowledge to analyze a variety of artworks. Knowledge of the Elements and Principles will set students up for the course overall, as together they are the foundations to creating, presenting, responding, and connecting in the field of art. At the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the Elements and Principles by using them in combination to create their own mixed media artwork inspired by the abstract style of Wassily Kandinsky.

In Unit 1, students will: 

1. Experiment with new materials, methods, and approaches to making works of art 

2. Use the vocabulary of the Elements of Art and Principles of Art to describe and analyze a variety of artworks

3. Apply various mixed media techniques such as ink pen line techniques, watercolour basics, colour blending, and texture to create a compositionally balanced and interesting Kandinsky-inspired artwork which demonstrates understanding of all 7 Elements of Art and several Principles of Design

4. Give constructive and encouraging feedback to peers

5. Apply teacher and peer feedback to improve my artistic technique

6. Analyze their artwork using the Elements of Art and Principles of Design through a written or oral analysis

Students will explore the medium of pencil sketching, building foundational drawing skills that will allow them to record the world around them, develop and communicate ideas, and express themselves. After practicing the basic steps of sketching, students will dive into a sketch project inspired by the concept of time capsules where they capture an item of personal significance to them that represents their middle school years. Throughout the process, students develop skills and knowledge of the sketching process, learning about tools like the grid method, and techniques like hatching and crosshatching to create value and 3-dimensionality. Extending beyond technical skills, students also embrace sketching as a form of personal artistic expression by working within a unifying theme of nostalgia. 

In Unit 2, students will: 

1. Learn about sketching and its value as a skill in both the arts and other areas such as design, architecture, and engineering.

2. Gain confidence with sketching by following the steps of the sketching process from basic shapes to final details

3. Make use of tools such as the grid transfer method and a crosshatching AI filter to understand how to visualize value through hatching; Learn drawing skills and techniques such as composition basics, the grid transfer method, capturing shapes with accurate proportions, and adding value and shading using various pencil grades

4. Practice giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve artistic technique

5. Create a sketch that captures an object of their choice as means of personal expression

6. Construct an artist statement that reflects on their art making process and how their sketch expresses their time as a middle school student

After making artworks, what is the best way to present them to viewers? How do museums and galleries choose artwork for display? How do galleries themselves influence viewers' experience of artworks? In this unit, students will explore curation and consider the creative process that exists not only in making works of art but also in preparing them for display. Students will first learn about the components of an exhibition and various display considerations, such as artwork arrangement and presentation, lighting, and audience engagement approaches. In small groups, they will analyze galleries, looking not just at the artworks themselves but rather how their presentation comes together to enhance viewers' appreciation and understanding of the work. Then, students will apply their knowledge of the curatorial process by imagining their own original exhibition with works chosen from online galleries, asking themselves what kinds of stories and perspectives these artworks might share when presented side-by-side. The highlight of this unit is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in collaboratively curating a theme-based exhibition of their own artworks for display in the Middle School Lounge, creating a gallery experience for an audience of our CDS Middle School community. This unit is designed to focus on the Broad Learning Category of Presenting, supplementing students' education alongside creating artworks of their own.

In Unit 3, students will: 

1. Define curation and learn about the components of an exhibition

2. In small groups, collaboratively analyze a online "pocket gallery" (provided by Google Arts and Culture), identifying its components and considering how curatorial aspects impact viewers.

3. Independently select artistic work under a unifying theme of their choice, develop an exhibition plan for these works presented together, and explain how their curatorial decisions influence visitors’ ideas and experiences

4. As a class, collaboratively prepare and present an exhibition of their own artworks for display in the Middle School Lounge