7th GRADE ART SYLLABUS
Ann Dunbar, Amy Camber
[email protected], [email protected]
2013-2014
____________________________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The seventh grade art program celebrates individuality while challenging students to solve problems with creativity and joy. Throughout the year, students work in a supportive environment where they learn to share ideas, take risks, and express themselves to their fullest potential. From drawing and painting to sculpture and printmaking, seventh graders continue to build technical and conceptual skills in a variety of media.
Increasing students’ awareness of their place within the global community is emphasized through the ongoing study of social justice issues, “folk” and “outsider” art, as well as non-traditional approaches to art-making from around the globe. Finally, each project is presented as it relates to contemporary artists and/or movements in art history. As a result, students learn ways to critically analyze images, thus increasing their knowledge of the diverse and ever-changing visual world that surrounds them.
____________________________________________________________________________________
7th GRADE CLASS PROJECTS
(Subject to change or cancellation based on scheduling and student interest)
1. SYMBOL MURAL
We will begin this project looking at the work of Bernard Williams, a contemporary artist who combines individually crafted symbols to create large-scale murals that tell stories. After thinking of their own lives as a story, students will choose one event/memory/moment and create a Williams-inspired symbol that represents this part of their personal history. After sharing their work, student symbols are displayed side by side as a permanent installation for the remainder of the school year.
2. GOLDEN MASKS
This project plays on the history on New Mexico and encourages students to consider "What is golden about you?" After discussing the various purposes of masks, students will design a mask that represents something special (but often hidden) about themselves. Drawing inspiration from masks made around the world, as well as the unique bead mosaics of artist Liza Lou, students will construct 3-dimensional masks from recycled cardboard. They will then experiment with texture as they “mosaic” the surface of their cardboard base with place-specific materials: dried beans and gatherings from the bosque. Students will finish with a coating of gold paint.
3. PRINTMAKING
a) Students will learn about the utilitarian and socially conscious history of printmaking, culminating in a visit to Estampas de la Raza at the Albuquerque Museum, an exhibit of prints chronicling the Latino experience in the United States.
b) Using materials found in the bosque (plants, trash, etc), students will create multi-layered monoprints using a press.
c) After looking at block prints and woodcuts from around the world, students will create a linoleum block print using at least three different colors. In this project, students will learn how to use a brayer, how to roll ink onto their block, and how to register their prints.
4. DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Each Fall, the 7th grade spearheads the massive, all-middle school Día de los Muertos altar and celebration. While construction and design of the altar changes each year, all students are invited to make a work of art that remembers someone who has passed away. In the past, students have honored relatives, pets, and even whole groups of people such as those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami in Japan.
5. PUBLIC ART
For the past three years, 7th graders have created the first major works of student public art on the Bosque campus. While the past two projects have been mosaic murals, the form of this years’ piece is yet unknown. In addition to helping determine what our new public work will be, students will also be responsible for writing the proposal for its creation, conducting meetings with the administrative and facilities staff, as well as choosing and proposing potential locations for its placement.
6. DRAWING AND SHADING
Students will learn to shade two parallel lines to create the illusion of a three-dimensional pipe. Using both pencils and ink, they will learn shading techniques of blending and cross-hatching.
7. LANDSCAPE PAINTING
Students will look at the different ways painters use brushstrokes and color to capture landscapes. When the fall colors are in full glory, students will look at the Bosque and paint their own small landscapes.
8. STILL LIFE PAINTINGS
In this longtime favorite, students will learn various methods of shading with paint as they create a large, realistic still life painting. While attention to composition and balance will be emphasized, students will also be encouraged to experiment and nurture a sense of freedom and creativity within the medium. Finished paintings are framed and always fantastic!
9. T-SHIRT STENCILS
After studying the history of street art and graffiti, students will learn how to create a stencil for their own t-shirt design. These designs, whether in words or images, must address an issue about which each student feels passionately. After printing their designs using the stencil and screenprinting ink, all students will wear their t-shirts to morning meeting for an all-school presentation.
10. ART CARS!
Students will begin by watching and discussing “Wild Wheels” by Harrod Blank, a documentary on the art car movement in the United States. Afterwards, students will sketch and then construct an art car using foam core, paint, and non-traditional decorations.
11. PERSPECTIVE
Students will review one and two-point perspective, including the basics of horizon lines and vanishing points. After choosing a subject matter, students will complete a perspective drawing, incorporating shading and compositional skills.
12. THE FAKE FOOD PROJECT
Consistently one of the most popular projects of the year, students will choose a meal to construct from recycled materials. Students paint their “food,” silverware and beverage (also required) as realistically as possible. Their work is then mounted on a cardboard placemat and displayed as a giant banquet complete with fake candelabras.
____________________________________________________________________________________
METHODS OF EVALUATION
Because it is highly subjective and because we believe strongly that there is no right or wrong way to complete a project, art can be a very challenging subject to grade. With this in mind, top grades are earned by students who participate in class discussions and who demonstrate focus in class, creativity and risk-taking in projects, and respect for their peers and the classroom environment as a whole.
Because we assign very limited amount of homework, use of class time is the most important factor in the grading process. Therefore, if a student misses class, he or she must arrange a time (usually during an Activity Block) to complete missing work.
____________________________________________________________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS
We strongly believe in using recycled materials - any donated supplies are welcome!
Feel free to contact either of us with questions or concerns.
Ann Dunbar, Amy Camber
[email protected], [email protected]
2013-2014
____________________________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The seventh grade art program celebrates individuality while challenging students to solve problems with creativity and joy. Throughout the year, students work in a supportive environment where they learn to share ideas, take risks, and express themselves to their fullest potential. From drawing and painting to sculpture and printmaking, seventh graders continue to build technical and conceptual skills in a variety of media.
Increasing students’ awareness of their place within the global community is emphasized through the ongoing study of social justice issues, “folk” and “outsider” art, as well as non-traditional approaches to art-making from around the globe. Finally, each project is presented as it relates to contemporary artists and/or movements in art history. As a result, students learn ways to critically analyze images, thus increasing their knowledge of the diverse and ever-changing visual world that surrounds them.
____________________________________________________________________________________
7th GRADE CLASS PROJECTS
(Subject to change or cancellation based on scheduling and student interest)
1. SYMBOL MURAL
We will begin this project looking at the work of Bernard Williams, a contemporary artist who combines individually crafted symbols to create large-scale murals that tell stories. After thinking of their own lives as a story, students will choose one event/memory/moment and create a Williams-inspired symbol that represents this part of their personal history. After sharing their work, student symbols are displayed side by side as a permanent installation for the remainder of the school year.
2. GOLDEN MASKS
This project plays on the history on New Mexico and encourages students to consider "What is golden about you?" After discussing the various purposes of masks, students will design a mask that represents something special (but often hidden) about themselves. Drawing inspiration from masks made around the world, as well as the unique bead mosaics of artist Liza Lou, students will construct 3-dimensional masks from recycled cardboard. They will then experiment with texture as they “mosaic” the surface of their cardboard base with place-specific materials: dried beans and gatherings from the bosque. Students will finish with a coating of gold paint.
3. PRINTMAKING
a) Students will learn about the utilitarian and socially conscious history of printmaking, culminating in a visit to Estampas de la Raza at the Albuquerque Museum, an exhibit of prints chronicling the Latino experience in the United States.
b) Using materials found in the bosque (plants, trash, etc), students will create multi-layered monoprints using a press.
c) After looking at block prints and woodcuts from around the world, students will create a linoleum block print using at least three different colors. In this project, students will learn how to use a brayer, how to roll ink onto their block, and how to register their prints.
4. DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Each Fall, the 7th grade spearheads the massive, all-middle school Día de los Muertos altar and celebration. While construction and design of the altar changes each year, all students are invited to make a work of art that remembers someone who has passed away. In the past, students have honored relatives, pets, and even whole groups of people such as those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami in Japan.
5. PUBLIC ART
For the past three years, 7th graders have created the first major works of student public art on the Bosque campus. While the past two projects have been mosaic murals, the form of this years’ piece is yet unknown. In addition to helping determine what our new public work will be, students will also be responsible for writing the proposal for its creation, conducting meetings with the administrative and facilities staff, as well as choosing and proposing potential locations for its placement.
6. DRAWING AND SHADING
Students will learn to shade two parallel lines to create the illusion of a three-dimensional pipe. Using both pencils and ink, they will learn shading techniques of blending and cross-hatching.
7. LANDSCAPE PAINTING
Students will look at the different ways painters use brushstrokes and color to capture landscapes. When the fall colors are in full glory, students will look at the Bosque and paint their own small landscapes.
8. STILL LIFE PAINTINGS
In this longtime favorite, students will learn various methods of shading with paint as they create a large, realistic still life painting. While attention to composition and balance will be emphasized, students will also be encouraged to experiment and nurture a sense of freedom and creativity within the medium. Finished paintings are framed and always fantastic!
9. T-SHIRT STENCILS
After studying the history of street art and graffiti, students will learn how to create a stencil for their own t-shirt design. These designs, whether in words or images, must address an issue about which each student feels passionately. After printing their designs using the stencil and screenprinting ink, all students will wear their t-shirts to morning meeting for an all-school presentation.
10. ART CARS!
Students will begin by watching and discussing “Wild Wheels” by Harrod Blank, a documentary on the art car movement in the United States. Afterwards, students will sketch and then construct an art car using foam core, paint, and non-traditional decorations.
11. PERSPECTIVE
Students will review one and two-point perspective, including the basics of horizon lines and vanishing points. After choosing a subject matter, students will complete a perspective drawing, incorporating shading and compositional skills.
12. THE FAKE FOOD PROJECT
Consistently one of the most popular projects of the year, students will choose a meal to construct from recycled materials. Students paint their “food,” silverware and beverage (also required) as realistically as possible. Their work is then mounted on a cardboard placemat and displayed as a giant banquet complete with fake candelabras.
____________________________________________________________________________________
METHODS OF EVALUATION
Because it is highly subjective and because we believe strongly that there is no right or wrong way to complete a project, art can be a very challenging subject to grade. With this in mind, top grades are earned by students who participate in class discussions and who demonstrate focus in class, creativity and risk-taking in projects, and respect for their peers and the classroom environment as a whole.
Because we assign very limited amount of homework, use of class time is the most important factor in the grading process. Therefore, if a student misses class, he or she must arrange a time (usually during an Activity Block) to complete missing work.
____________________________________________________________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS
We strongly believe in using recycled materials - any donated supplies are welcome!
Feel free to contact either of us with questions or concerns.