My High School Art Lesson Plans
(also suitable for Middle School)
Level 1
Hi, I'm a high school teacher and artist. I was fortunate enough to be able to teach one year of the subject I'm most passionate about---art, before I was transferred to other disciplines, currently Algebra and Geometry. Below are the lesson plans that I created for my high school art level 1 students during the 2003-2004 semester. Teachers --- feel free to use them as a resource in your classroom.
You may also find some ideas for your class by perusing My Artwork.
Click on each link to view the document in Microsoft Word. Some documents are in jpeg format because parts were created by hand. You can also see larger views of the student artwork by clicking on each thumbnail. All lessons are presented in the order in which they were taught. Not all lessons of each unit are present on these pages. My lessons also sometimes accompany reading material found in the book, Art Talk, by Rosalind Ragans.
If you find anything useful on my site, I'd be very appreciative of your Paypal donation! Just click below---even a dollar would be helpful!
Unit 1: Graphite and Values
This project involved the creation of an enlarged drawing of a pre-existing picture chosen by the student. At least four values of graphite were required.
Symmetrical Frog Completion Exercise
Grid Drawing and Values Project Sheet
Grid Drawing Box Size Determination Flow Chart
Grid Drawing and Values Assessment Sheet
Student Artwork:
Unit 2: Colored Pencil and Emphasis
This project involved the creation of a colored pencil drawing that demonstrated an area of emphasis using one of the five methods discussed in class.
Colored Pencil Values Practice Worksheet
Emphasis Sketches Project Sheet
Emphasis Sketches Assessment Sheet
Emphasis Drawing in Colored Pencil Project Sheet
Emphasis Drawing in Colored Pencil Assessment Sheet
Student Artwork:
Unit 3: Pattern, Rhythm and Movement
Pattern, Rhythm and Movement Reading Questions
Student Artwork:
Unit 4: Oil Pastel
Through the use of a solvent-moistened Q-tip like a paint brush, working in oil pastels acts as a bridge to acrylic painting.
Unit 5: Acrylic Painting using a Color Scheme
For the final project, students were required to use one of the six color schemes discussed in class to create an acrylic painting on gesso-covered paper.
Introduction to Acrylics Handout --- discussed as a group during class
Acrylic Painting Quiz --- must pass in order to use supplies
Acrylic Painting Values Practice Handout
Color Schemes Reading Questions
Complementary Colors Project Sheet
Color Scheme Acrylic Painting Project Sheet
Preparing Gesso-covered Paper Instructional Sheet
Color Scheme Acrylic Painting Assessment Sheet
Student Artwork:
Unit 6: Clay
Introduction to Clay Reading Text
Introduction to Clay Reading Questions
Student Artwork:
Extra Credit: Oregami (Origami) Polyhedron Project
This project involved the creation of basic units, which could then be assembled in different ways to create a variety of 3-D paper sculptures. The larger ones pictured require the assembly of 12 units. I learned how to make these from a student in one of my geometry classes. The students loved them so much that they were teaching their friends who didn't have an art class. Soon they were all over the school! My student assistant, pictured below, helped me hang them all around the room. It looked awesome.
Here is a website that shows how to create and assemble the units: http://nuwen.net/poly.html
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