Welcome grade 6 art elective students! This page serves as a convenient at-a-glance summary of our coursework every week for you and your parents. To see more about this course, go back to the Home Page and scroll down to Art Exploratory.
Although you are primarily accessing and completing your art assignments in our art room, it's important that you review this website for my updated weekly postings and agendas below. I will also be introducing a Canvas home page with all my useful art links.
Here is my Newsletter that I handed out (link below) so that students know exactly how we are communicating in and out of the art room this year. You should check out your daily agendas even while you are in-person learning as your useful pacing and reference guide👍
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UlDKQrsgwVJKzFh0dpNNVVMXWlxkmzr6xBjt2yyBG30/edit?usp=sharing
To turn in your major projects for a grade, you will be uploading a quality photo, your title and an artist statement to your Artsonia Portfolio. We will go over this process in class. Your digital Artsonia portfolio is one of the best take-aways from your art elective since it will travel with you through high school graduation!
Parents: Want to see your child's artwork? Your children have a digital portfolio that they will keep up during our art class this quarter! Want to purchase gifts showcasing your child's artwork? Please view my Artsonia newsletter on the home page for details. Did you know that 20% of all keepsake purchases are donated to our art program for more art supplies? For more information, go to artsonia.com/parents
Inform your parents about Artsonia so they can sign up and see all the great work you're doing in Art once your portfolio is established. Parents: See my Artsonia Newsletter on the Home Page of this website! Parents may see more at artsonia.com/parents OR students may go to their account via artsonia.com/class to log in and add parent email(s). Ask me for our school code if you need it.
Getting to Know You
Day 1 - 2
Expectations: Welcome to the Art Room
Introductions and Protocols
Your Introductory Assignment:
Navigating the Art Elective Website First Assignment: Bookmark this Art Elective Website Link
Read the following Art Newsletter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UlDKQrsgwVJKzFh0dpNNVVMXWlxkmzr6xBjt2yyBG30/edit?usp=sharing
Our Process
Navigating Art Elective Website and Turning In Assignments
Day 2 - Portfolios!
Getting to Know You
Artsonia assignment! Add your name to my roster after a week or two.
Add your account (first, last name) in grade 6 to create your account.
https://www.artsonia.com/class
Use Artsonia school code MPWB-FZSC.
Instructions for Artsonia:
Title Your title to any of your artworks is your choice. It should be relevant to your solution to the project. It can be what I named the project in class but I encourage you to think of a title that is creative, relatable and appropriate.
Artist statement Your artist statement for any of your artworks in Artsonia is an opportunity for you to reveal to viewers your insights -- maybe write about your idea, what media you used (like paint, colored pencils, clay, paper mache, pen & ink, etc.), what were any challenges you may have encountered, what did you think of your final product, would you do anything differently, and did you like the project overall?
Your project grade
I will be grading your final art product and process based on the project objectives, your originality, planning, craftsmanship, use of time in class and your artist statement. Reflecting on your project in your artist statement is such an important part of the design process that I count it 20%. So complementing your artwork with an artist statement in Artsonia is not only a convenient way for me to add credit to your overall score, but it also serves to support your piece in your overall portfolio -- something that you will be able to carry with you on into high school.
artsonia.com/class Artsonia School Access Code: MPWB-FZSC
Day 3
Intro to Applying Colors and Fills
Day 4 Intro to 6th-Grade Creativity Project
Day 5 Continue 6th-Grade Creativity Project
Creativity Project
This is a fun activity that I usually spend a week or so on to allow students to come up with unique illustrations/compositions based on these random lines. The instructions are on the back of the template. I permit students to orient their page in any direction, but they cannot adjust the line placements. They can use the grid in their solution although that is not necessarily encouraged. This is a great conversation starter at the beginning of the art elective about, “Where do ideas come from?” Not one student artist would ever come up with this project solution without this required line challenge!
Students may shade and add colored pencil to create entertaining and interesting solutions, but they must incorporate all of the lines in their final product. Some students come up with one complete drawing, or scene, using all the lines, while others use the lines to complete a collection of drawings based on a theme. You may view past student examples.
This is a Test of Your Creativity
Please plan to spend up to 5 days on brainstorming ideas, designing, carefully drawing your solution, adding color using colored pencils or markers, and refining. Thus, don't expect to complete this assignment by the end of this week! Take your time, have fun, be unique in your solutions, and refine - remember how we practiced your coloring in solids and gradients!
Materials and Instructions:
1. Place the template grid underneath a clean white sheet of printer paper and trace in pencil only the lines and shapes within the grid (not the grid itself).
2. Brainstorm ideas and themes so you may use all these existing lines and shapes as part of a new creative drawing.!
3. Use your pencil to connect and add to the existing lines and shapes to transform your piece into an original and unique artwork. See examples in links below.
4. All 9 must be used to create one unified image. I don't mind if you rotate the entire template, but do not rotate or change the location of the individual lines and shapes within the grid/page.
Grading is based on creativity and originality, elaboration, effort and craftsmanship - so refine!! Color fills need to be neat and clean:)
Examples:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z4UCtbNlS5_iRQr1KrP-3uOHuM8dJHP8/view?usp=sharing
The Creativity Test Template that you can also acquire in the art room:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G7J2XQzT4abobHcFXDH5O2WXjTJZKtFx/view?usp=sharing
Day 1 - 3
Begin working on your Creativity Project this week - due next Monday, July 22.
Creativity Project
This is a fun activity that I usually spend a week or so on to allow students to come up with unique illustrations/compositions based on these random lines. The instructions are on the back of the template. I permit students to orient their page in any direction, but they cannot adjust the line placements. They can use the grid in their solution although that is not necessarily encouraged. This is a great conversation starter at the beginning of the art elective about, “Where do ideas come from?” Not one student artist would ever come up with this project solution without this required line challenge!
Students may shade and add colored pencil to create entertaining and interesting solutions, but they must incorporate all of the lines in their final product. Some students come up with one complete drawing, or scene, using all the lines, while others use the lines to complete a collection of drawings based on a theme. You may view past student examples.
This is a Test of Your Creativity
Please plan to spend up to 5 days on brainstorming ideas, designing, carefully drawing your solution, adding color using colored pencils or markers, and refining. Thus, don't expect to complete this assignment by the end of this week! Take your time, have fun, be unique in your solutions, and refine - remember how we practiced your coloring in solids and gradients!
Materials and Instructions:
1. Place the template grid underneath a clean white sheet of printer paper and trace in pencil only the lines and shapes within the grid (not the grid itself).
2. Brainstorm ideas and themes so you may use all these existing lines and shapes as part of a new creative drawing.!
3. Use your pencil to connect and add to the existing lines and shapes to transform your piece into an original and unique artwork. See examples in links below.
4. All 9 must be used to create one unified image. I don't mind if you rotate the entire template, but do not rotate or change the location of the individual lines and shapes within the grid/page.
Grading is based on creativity and originality, elaboration, effort and craftsmanship - so refine!! Color fills need to be neat and clean:)
Examples:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z4UCtbNlS5_iRQr1KrP-3uOHuM8dJHP8/view?usp=sharing
The Creativity Test Template that you can also acquire in the art room:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G7J2XQzT4abobHcFXDH5O2WXjTJZKtFx/view?usp=sharing
Complete your final project so you may post on Monday to your portfolio. You might wish to post an in-progress photo as you work this week:)
Finished? Try your hand at creating a nice optical illusion drawing for your portfolio.
Day 5
Intro to Optical Illusions Presentation
Mrs. Barlow hosts a really cool class discussion and presentation on Marketing, Design and Op Art!
Day 1 - 5
Intro to Perspective
What is Perspective in Art? Can you draw a one-point perspective? Watch Harold and the Purple Crayon on Wednesday.
Let's discuss our next project: Cubes in Space Perspective Project. Creating a one-point perspective step-by-step! View the step-by-step video, posted on Canvas and begin your drawing(s) for an independent grade.
View my Cubes In Space Demo if you are home sick or need to make up work:
Day 5
Work on your Cubes in Space Perspective Project.
Due Date: Tuesday, July 30
Day 1 - 8
Toon Me Project!
Solving Visual Problems
Students pick a photograph, divide it in half, and them "cartoon" the other side!
Day 1 - 5 Complete Toon-Me Project, work on Creativity Project or Mini-Zines
Track 4 Elective will be working on Creativity Projects.
Track 2 will be working on Mini-Zines.
Post to your Artsonia portfolio using our school code MPWB-FZSC.
Instructions for Artsonia:
Title Your title to any of your artworks is your choice. It should be relevant to your solution to the project. It can be what I named the project in class but I encourage you to think of a title that is creative, relatable and appropriate.
Artist statement Your artist statement for any of your artworks in Artsonia is an opportunity for you to reveal to viewers your insights -- maybe write about your idea, what media you used (like paint, colored pencils, clay, paper mache, pen & ink, etc.), what were any challenges you may have encountered, what did you think of your final product, would you do anything differently, and did you like the project overall?
Your project grade
I will be grading your final art product and process based on the project objectives, your originality, planning, craftsmanship, use of time in class and your artist statement. Reflecting on your project in your artist statement is such an important part of the design process that I count it 20%. So complementing your artwork with an artist statement in Artsonia is not only a convenient way for me to add credit to your overall score, but it also serves to support your piece in your overall portfolio -- something that you will be able to carry with you on into high school.
artsonia.com/class Artsonia School Access Code: MPWB-FZSC
Day 1 - 8
Graphic Design Weeks
Solving Visual Problems
Metamorphosis Image Flip
Please take a project sheet and put your name on it. You will turn these in with all your work attached. If you are ready for a FINAL paper, produce your project with colored pencils and/or markers.
Objectives: With the flip of a flap, viewers interact with your artwork. Simply fold a third or your piece of paper from right to left to create a flap. Complete an illustration on front of your project that crosses completely over the flap. Then, develop a new image underneath the flap that makes good use of the existing, remaining visual. For example, as the viewer opens the flap, an image is revealed that is completely unexpected. Planning is important as you want to capitalize on a viewer’s element of surprise. These will be laminated since the viewer is encouraged to interact with the piece as it hangs.
(See examples displayed on the board.)
In submitting your final project, make sure to paperclip your idea sketches for maximum credit.
Reflection
Answer the reflection questions below in complete sentences and paperclip your original sketches and the best of your metamorphosis project for grading. Make sure your project is exhibit-quality. As you explain and reflect, rate yourself from 1-5 in the blank (1: needs improvement and 5: perfect solution)
1. How strong is your clever concept? Do you believe most of your viewers at this school will understand your choice of subjects?
2. How did you use all of the elements of art to convey your idea graphically? (space, color, texture) Did you use your time wisely in class every day this week?
3. How original is your concept? Did others think of this idea too?
4. How clean and neat is your finished artwork? Did you take your time to refine your drawings? What could you have done differently to make it more effective?
Introduction in the Art Room to the:
Aboriginal Dot Painting Project
Students learn about the Australian Aboriginal Tribes and their use of dot paintings in storytelling before creating their own. We apply paints to cardboard since it represents tree bark -- the material the original artists used in this primitive but rich cultural artform.
Pencil in your design, considering subjects like animals, landscapes, topography maps, and other abstract interpretations of traditional Aboriginal-Inspired Culture OR a more modern-day take:) Concentric circles are very representational of this type of art. Spheres and organic, soft shapes are common. You may research your subjects on your laptop!
Sectioning off spaces on your cardboard, begin applying solid paint using the paintbrush. You may wish to leave some cardboard areas showing through since it represents how the original artists might have painted on tree bark.
Allow solid surfaces to dry overnight.
To begin your dots, use the end of the paintbrush handle, dipping carefully into paint colors you prefer, and leaving a raised "dot" on the surface. Create patterns! You may mix really nice shades and tints of all kinds of colors. Remember, these tribes used brilliant hues as well as earth tones.
Refine, refine , refine. The more dots you add, the more impressive your artwork.
Applying understanding of art history and media processes
Working on your Aboriginal Dot Painting Project
Post to your portfolio, along with an artist statement by Monday, July 29. Your statement should be typed into Artsonia along with a title for full credit:)
Let's frame and tag your artworks for exhibiting in our lobby space to showcase our 6th-grade art students' projects.
Criteria for Grading:
Craftsmanship
Clever Idea
Exciting/Interesting Composition
Challenging to You
Mounting your Work
Day 1
Complete Aboriginal Dot Paintings and Post to your Portfolio
Intro to Pen and Ink
Begin your Pen & Ink Zentangle Meditation practice sheets. See example on the board.
Day 2 - 5
Continue your Pen & Ink Zentangle Meditation practice sheets. Hold onto these sheets -- I want to see them as I might enter them as a grade if it helps you!
Choose your favorite zentangles from your practice sheet to help you begin your Meditation Tile Project.
Reference your planning sheet! It is nice to post your planning sheets along with your finished Meditation Tile Project in your portfolio. This shows your range of skills in planning, drawing and implementing your ideas well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TXdx0dqlVY
View the excellent examples of Meditation Tile Projects on the board as examples of the craftsmanship I am looking for. This tile should take you at least 3 days to complete in pen. Begin using pen right away, trusting yourself to produce intricate patterns and filling in areas as well. Return these nice pens everyday so you can use them daily in class. Do not take this tile home - work only in class.
Post your finished Meditation Tile Project in your portfolio. Don't forget your artist statement.
Use Artsonia school code MPWB-FZSC.
Instructions for Artsonia:
Title Your title to any of your artworks is your choice. It should be relevant to your solution to the project. It can be what I named the project in class but I encourage you to think of a title that is creative, relatable and appropriate.
Artist statement Your artist statement for any of your artworks in Artsonia is an opportunity for you to reveal to viewers your insights -- maybe write about your idea, what media you used (like paint, colored pencils, clay, paper mache, pen & ink, etc.), what were any challenges you may have encountered, what did you think of your final product, would you do anything differently, and did you like the project overall?
Your project grade
I will be grading your final art product and process based on the project objectives, your originality, planning, craftsmanship, use of time in class and your artist statement. Reflecting on your project in your artist statement is such an important part of the design process that I count it 20%. So complementing your artwork with an artist statement in Artsonia is not only a convenient way for me to add credit to your overall score, but it also serves to support your piece in your overall portfolio -- something that you will be able to carry with you on into high school.
Day 1 - 5
Intro to Weaving. Some students have a chance to research the craft of weaving while others complete their previous project. However, all are able to view examples of flat and circular weavings. Choices include how and if to incorporate reverse and interlocking weaving, color combinations, patterns and much more...
Terms we will learn for the Weaving Project:
Loom, Weft and Warp Threads, Reverse and Interlocking Techniques, Tapestry, Shuttle.
Day 1
Intro to Paper Mache
Today is set aside to plan what your mask will look like. Please create several different mask options, but make sure to add color to at least one -- the one you wish to create! This needs to be a refined drawing and will be graded as an independent grade based on how finished it looks.
What is the Paper Mache Mask Project?
Begin brainstorming your project idea. Here is the presentation we go over in class:
Intro to Paper Mache Mask
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_HfkV_sZTvQ0Lb6u1RsFJ7dOTTLHVkyi/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=102120825247985150050&rtpof=true&sd=true
Objectives for Mask Project:
Show your range of talents with media and art techniques.
Explore your interests and reveal your personal experiences.
Take this opportunity to be clever in solving this problem.
3) You may choose a theme (characters, scenes, people/portraits, book covers, master studies, animals, travel/places) to create your mask.
4) You may be clever in what you decide to do within the confines of this format! You can paint a master study on the mask like a blank canvas, decide to create a collage using magazines, or simply design you best mask -- adding on different materials like yarn, beads, cardboard features, etc!
You are graded on: Good use of class time (using all the days to refine your idea and finished product), craftsmanship, creative idea/unique, effort, and written artist statement (revealing much about yourself and your artistic process).
Day 2 - 5
Building Your Paper Mache Mask Project
Day 1
Continue Building Paper Mache Mask this week, and prime by Wednesday.
Objectives for Mask Project:
Show your range of talents with media and art techniques.
Explore your interests and reveal your personal experiences.
Take this opportunity to be clever in solving this problem.
3) You may choose a theme (characters, scenes, people/portraits, book covers, master studies, animals, travel/places) to create your mask.
4) You may be clever in what you decide to do within the confines of this format! You can paint a master study on the mask like a blank canvas, decide to create a collage using magazines, or simply design you best mask -- adding on different materials like yarn, beads, cardboard features, etc!
You are graded on: Good use of class time (using all the days to refine your idea and finished product), craftsmanship, creative idea/unique, effort, and written artist statement (revealing much about yourself and your artistic process).
Day 4 - 5
Begin Painting Your Paper Mache Mask Project
Day 1
Continue Painting your Paper Mache Mask and complete it this week:)
Objectives for Mask Project:
Show your range of talents with media and art techniques.
Explore your interests and reveal your personal experiences.
Take this opportunity to be clever in solving this problem.
3) You may choose a theme (characters, scenes, people/portraits, book covers, master studies, animals, travel/places) to create your mask.
4) You may be clever in what you decide to do within the confines of this format! You can paint a master study on the mask like a blank canvas, decide to create a collage using magazines, or simply design you best mask -- adding on different materials like yarn, beads, cardboard features, etc!
You are graded on: Good use of class time (using all the days to refine your idea and finished product), craftsmanship, creative idea/unique, effort, and written artist statement (revealing much about yourself and your artistic process).
Day 3
Intro to Weaving!
Break from Masks. Creating our Looms on Wednesday.
Day 4 - 5
Complete and post any Mask Projects.
Continue Weaving Projects
Day 1 - 5
Continue Weaving and complete it this week:)
Continue Weaving Projects
Complete Weaving Project.
Intro to End-Of-Terms Quiz: Study Guide
Day 1
End-Of-Terms Quiz
Day 1 - 5
Complete and post your Weaving and Meditation Projects by Friday at the end of course.
Thanks for all of your hard work this quarter in Art Elective!