Jenny Evans
Ba, Ma, MSc, EdD
Introducing International Dot Day
This was my very first lesson in a British Primary school, year six (5th graders), September 2012.
We read Ish by Peter Reynolds and began working on one individual dot, a picture created by dots (pointilism) and a group picture of dots. Ideas were captured in a sketchbook prior to project artwork. A subject specific art for art sake lesson is very different for them. Art is typically incorporated into their project oriented curriculum. This lesson focused on building confidence rather than mastering a skill, but still met art standards for England.
Standards for this age group
Pupils should be taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
Pupils should be taught:
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to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
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to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
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about great artists, architects and designers in history
A complete list of standards for all age groups can be found HERE.
Abstract Expressionism
A second art for art's sake class, as the class was struggling getting along, preparing to leave primary school and go to secondary school, friends would be seperated, etc.
We started by looking at expressionism, how art can explain a feeling rather than an object. The students were given 45 min to create an artwork of either a happy memory or their current emotion. In their sketchbooks they experimented with different mediums (pencil, marker, crayons, pastel) to sort out which would best capture their expression. At the bottom of the page they were to write out the meaning, which was hidden (by a fold) for others to sort out the feeling/emotion by the artist.
The teacher also participated.