Secondary Lessons
Cut-Out Animations
Course: Digital Animation
Media: iPad, Procreate Dreams
Student animators created cut-out style digital animations using Procreate Dreams, a new animation software.Â
1.) Remove backgrounds from images
Students research images and use Procreate to remove the backgrounds.
2.) Use keyframes to animate
Students use Procreate Dreams to add keyframes and use performance mode to animate their images.
Finished Student Work
Clay Houses
Grade Level: 7th
Media: Drawing, Painting, Ceramic Sculpture
Seventh grade artists created miniature houses inspired by a fantasy creature or a favorite pop culture character. They engaged in discourse about contemporary and historical ceramicists. A focus was kept on functionality, organic vs geometric forms, and craftsmanship in the artwork. Students had the opportunity to discuss each other’s work and reflect on their own process.
1.) Intro & Ideation
Students learn about contemporary and historical ceramicists in a presentation.
They plan their ideas by complete a provided planning sheet to sketch house designs.
presentation on ceramic artists & introduction to project
2.) Planning
Students create paper templates to layout their structure’s walls.
They learn how to use a clay slab roller, creating sheets of clay to cut out shapes.
3.) Building
Students assemble their clay slabs and sculpt additional architectural elements.
4.) Painting
Students use acrylic paint to add color and finishing touches to their sculpture.
Finished Student Work
Animal Portraits
Grade Level: 8th
Media: Drawing, Painting
Student artists created realistic animal portraits with abstract patterened backgrounds. They learned about the history of animals in art and looked at contemporary animal painters. Students learned how to mix acrylic paint, use a drawing grid system, and prepare a canvas board.
1.) Intro & Ideation
Students learned about artists and looked at realistic animal paintings in a presentation.
Using chromebooks, students researched animals they were interested in and drew thumbnail sketches.
presentation on wildlife artists & introduction to project
2.) Preparing Background
Students learn about color theory and choose a color scheme for their abstract background.
An in-progress critique helps students decide what choices to make next.
Students use rulers and a pre-measured mat to draw a grid and sketch out their animals.
3.) Painting
Students use printed references to paint their animals.
They are shown how to work in layers to create depth & detail.
A formative Tell-Ask-Give peer critique helps students make improvements.
Finished Student Work
Food Illustrations
Grade Level: 6th
Media: Watercolor, Pen
Student Artists illustrated their favorite food and created a fun background. They learned about contemporary food painters and experimented with different watercolor techniques.Â
1.) Intro & Ideation
Students participated in a presentation about realistic food paintings. They made connections to their own cultural traditions.
Chromebooks were used to research images and they made four thumbnail sketches.
presentation on artists, cultural connections, & introduction to project
Students had to use at least 3 watercolor techinques in their artwork
2.) Painting
Students used watercolor paint and watercolor pencils to add color to their drawings.
They used tape and masking fluid to add an interesting background; pen outlining was added for details.Â
Finished Student Work
Art Cars
Course: Studio in Art
Media: Colored Pencil, Paper Folding
High school artists created their own three-dimensional paper cars. They learned about the different types of rhythm and created motifs and patterns based around a theme of their choice.
1.) Planning
Students chose a theme and drew symbols related to their theme on planning worksheets.
2.) Tracing & Cutting
Students choose a car template, trace, and cut it out with scissors.
3.) Drawing
Students designed paper car template to use 6 symbols and 3 unique patterns with rhythm.
4.) Colored Pencil
Students use colored pencil to shade their designs
Finished Student Work
Fused Glass Tiles
Grade Level: 6th
Media: Fused Glass
Student artists created fused glass tiles made from recycled glass. They learned how to safely score, cut, and store pieces of glass. Pattern and repetition are key elements in the student designs.
Scoring & Cutting
Students use glass running pliers, grozer pliers, and glass cutters to make small glass pieces.
Finished Student Work
