Unit 2: Stories: Symbols & Styles

Overview: In this captivating art unit, 3rd-grade students will uncover the fascinating world of storytelling through art, discovering how symbols and styles can bring narratives to life. Through engaging activities, they will learn to decode symbols, explore various artistic styles, and create their own narrative artworks. This unit will ignite their creativity while deepening their understanding of the visual language used to convey stories.

Key Concepts:

• Symbols: Students will understand the power of symbols in storytelling, exploring how these visual elements can represent ideas, emotions, and themes in art.

• Artistic Styles: Students will be introduced to different artistic styles, such as realism, abstract, and impressionism. They'll learn how artists use these styles to convey their messages.

• Narrative Expression: Students will discover how to use art to tell stories, using a combination of symbols, styles, and creativity to communicate their ideas effectively.

Activities:

• Symbolic Stories: Students will choose a simple symbol (e.g., a heart, a star, a key) and create an artwork that tells a story using that symbol as the central element.

• Style Exploration: Students will explore various artistic styles by studying famous artworks from different periods. They'll then create their own artworks inspired by the styles they've learned.

• Character Creations: Students will design and illustrate characters from their favorite stories, adding unique symbols and elements that represent each character's traits and personality.

• Story in a Frame: Students will create a narrative artwork that fits within a given frame (literal or metaphorical), encouraging them to think about composition and storytelling within constraints.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, students will:

• Understand the concept of symbols and how they can be used in art to convey meaning.

• Recognize different artistic styles and their impact on storytelling.

• Develop storytelling skills through visual art, using symbols and styles.

• Gain appreciation for the narrative aspect of art and its ability to communicate ideas and emotions.

• Enhance their creative thinking and expression.

Prepare to dive into the world of stories, symbols, and artistic styles, as we explore the rich language of visual narratives, unlocking the magic of Unit 2: Stories: Symbols & Styles!

Tessellations