Becoming An Artist

Becoming an Artist | 1st-3rd grade | (6) 1 hour  sessions | virtual or in-person 

In 6 – 1 hour  sessions, students will learn how to use lines to create movement; make patterns to emphasize textures; understand the relationship between color and emotions; and transform unlikely materials into a culminating art piece that utilizes all four learned themes. Teaching artists will use games and curriculum integration such as math and language comprehension to solidify understanding. Students will learn new vocabulary to create, verbalize and analyze the material and their own artistic ideas while collaborating in conversations.

Lesson 1 | Lines 

• Theme: How lines are used as an expressive tool in art 
• Medium: Yarn line drawings
• Goal: Students will be introduced to the most basic element of art- lines and how lines can help determine motion, direction and energy. 
• Integration: Speaking and listening 

Lesson 2 | Patterns and Texture 

• Theme: How pattern and texture add to the look and feel of artwork. ● Medium: Clay 
• Goal: Students will learn to see patterns in art and nature and how to use texture to add feeling to art. They will use math concepts to identify and create AB, AAB and ABC patterns. 
• Integration: Math 

Lesson 3 | Colorful Emotion 

• Theme: How art conveys emotions 
• Medium: Monochrome magazine collage 
• Goal: Students will understand that color in art can communicate how the artist is feeling. 
• Curriculum Integration: Adjectives

Lesson 4 | Trash?! Nope, it’s art. 

• Theme: Using students’ imagination to see how unlikely materials can be transformed into art. 
• Medium: Toilet paper roll sculptures
• Goal: Students will learn what it means to throw something away and how items destined for the trash can be reimagined into something else. 
• Integration: Science 

Lesson 5 | Culminating Project 

• Theme: Self portraits 
• Medium: Mixed media 
• Goal: Students will use the four learned design elements to create their self portrait 
• Integration: Speaking and listening 

Lesson 6 | Gallery Opening 

• Theme: I am an artist, you are an artist!
• Goal: Students will learn how to write an artist statement and talk about the What, How and Why when communicating their artwork. 
• Integration: Speaking and listening