Unit Description: In the "People & Places: Seeing Details & Action" unit, 1st-grade artists will embark on an exciting visual exploration of the world around them, focusing on the intricate details of people and places in action. This unit is thoughtfully designed to nurture observation skills, encourage attention to detail, and capture the liveliness of everyday scenes. Through hands-on activities, dynamic projects, and interactive discussions, students will develop their artistic skills while depicting the stories and movements that fill their surroundings.

Unit Objectives: By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• Observe and identify important details in people and places.

• Understand the concept of action and how it can be portrayed in artwork.

• Explore different artistic techniques to represent people and places in action.

• Participate in hands-on activities that encourage creative expression through dynamic scenes.

• Create artworks that capture the essence of people and places in action.

Key Concepts:

• Observation: Closely looking at subjects to capture their details and movements.

• Action: The motion and activity present in scenes.

Assessment: Assessment in this unit will focus on:

• Active participation in class discussions and activities.

• Completion of art projects that demonstrate an understanding of observation, action, and artistic techniques.

• Application of observational and artistic skills in individual artworks.

• Creativity and effort displayed in the artistic process.

Week-by-Week Breakdown:

Week 1-2: Noticing Details in People and Places

• Introduction to the importance of observing details in people and places.

• Discussion of how artists use details to create engaging artwork.

• Hands-on activities where students practice observing and sketching details in everyday scenes.

Week 3-4: Capturing Action

• Introduction to the concept of action and motion in artwork.

• Exploration of artworks that effectively portray movement and action.

• Students create collaborative projects that depict scenes in action.

Week 5-6: Creating Dynamic Artworks

• Introduction to various artistic techniques, such as gesture drawing and quick sketches.

• Discussion on how students can use these techniques to capture dynamic scenes.

• Students create individual artworks that depict people and places in action.

Culminating Activity: People & Places Art Exhibition The unit culminates in a People & Places Art Exhibition where students proudly display their individual artworks. This exhibition provides an opportunity for students to showcase their understanding of observation, action, and artistic creativity to peers and families.

Integration with Other Subjects:

• Language Arts: Students can write short descriptions or stories about the scenes they've depicted in their artworks.

• Physical Education: Discussions about action align with physical education lessons on movement and coordination.

• Social Studies: Depicting people and places connects with social studies objectives about communities and environments.

Through the "People & Places: Seeing Details & Action" unit, 1st-grade students will develop their ability to observe and capture the dynamic scenes of everyday life. This unit fosters creativity, observation skills, and an appreciation for the stories and actions that unfold around them.

Unit 3 

First grade art students will investigate how people and places play a role in the creation of art. Students will experiment with overlapping in space, identifying the horizon line, and working with positive and negative space. Students will also investigate different 3D forms and how artists create using spheres, cubes, pyramids, cones and cylinders.