FINAL UNIT

Communication in Art

Stage 1 – Desired Results

Established Goal(s)/Content Standard(s):

§117.202(c)(4)(A) create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary; & (B) analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;

§117.202(c)(2)(A) create original artworks based on direct observations, original sources, personal experiences, and the community;



Understanding (s)

Students will understand that:

  • What are the big ideas? Artists are Communicators
  • Art can make a statement, tell a story, or communicate ideas and feelings.

Essential Question(s):

  • How do artists communicate through their artwork?


Student objectives (outcomes):

Students will be able to:

  • Take an idea and create a plan, including choice of material, the execute their artistic vision
  • Write an artist statement
  • Engage in art critique and criticism.


Vocabulary: Inspiration, Communication, Medium/Media, Mixed Media, Artist Statement, Criticism, Critique


Materials: Students choose from the following: crayons, colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, watercolor, collage, cardboard, materials they can bring from home

Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence

Performance Task(s):

  • Task 1: Formal: Written Art Criticism of an artwork. Students will complete the step by step guide to analyze a famous work of art.
    • (B) analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;


  • Task 2: Formal: Written Artist Statement. Students will compose a written artist statement to express their artistic ideas and explain the choices they made in their work.
    • §117.202(c)(4)(A) create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary

  • Task 3: Summative: Students create works of art to communicate their own ideas. Project will be graded according to the rubric. (See below)
    • §117.202(c)(2)(A) create original artworks based on direct observations, original sources, personal experiences, and the community;


Other Evidence:

  • Inspiration activity: Students Choose one of two activities to generate the story or statement they want to communicate in their project.
  • Sketchbook plan of final project design
  • Write self-critique
  • They participate in formal presentations of their finished work and a group critique.

Stage 3 – Learning Plan

Learning Activities:

  • Day 1: DOKs: identify, describe, analyze, evaluate
    • Art Criticism Performance Task: Begin with whole class discussion of an artwork on the board. Teacher models and guides students through the art criticism process. Then each table group is given a different poster to use for their individual written art criticisms.
  • Day 2: DOKs: Generate, discuss
    • Presentation on art as a form of communication with group discussion
    • Introduction of the Project
    • Students generate ideas for their work by completing the Inspiration exercise
  • Day 3: DOKs: Plan, sketch
    • Demonstration: Teacher models the media available for students to use along with examples of artworks created with the media.
    • Students use their inspiration from the day before to create a plan for their final project.
  • Day 4: DOKs: plan, sketch
    • Students continue their plans and sketches, testing different media as needed
  • Day 5-14: DOKs: Create, revise
    • Students take two weeks of classes to work on their big final projects, revising and seeking feedback as needed
  • Day 15: DOKs: Compose, explain
    • Introduction of Artist Statement with examples
    • Students compose their own artist statement using the guide to express their ideas and explain artistic choices.
  • Day 16-17: DOKs: critique, describe, evaluate
    • Students complete a self-critique in their sketchbooks using a “Critique Sandwich” model
    • Students take turns presenting their final artwork to their table groups, reading their artist statements.
    • Artworks are displayed on the tables and students move around the room, leaving quick critiques on a sheet next to the project.
    • Artworks are graded according to the rubric


Instructions: Objectives:

1. Compose statement/story 1. Utilize elements in symbolic ways

2. Sketch plan 2. Demonstrate understanding of principles

3. Create Artwork according to plan 3. Establish balance in composition

4. Materials choice supports statement