Visual Arts
Visual arts classes introduce students to the key skills, concepts, and studio art disciplines that are basic to the development of their creative expression and visual literacy. In the elementary years, the focus is on exploration and experimentation. In the middle school years students learn the essential skills of each art discipline. The high school provides a foundation in classical and modern methods of drawing, painting, graphic design, and sculpture which gives students the insights and abilities to undertake more advanced works in these areas of concentration and build their portfolios. From K-12, Visual Arts emphasizes the following intellectual skills:
·  Methods, Materials, and Techniques
·  Elements and Principles of Design
·  Observation & Abstraction
·  Critical Response & Exhibiting
·  Stylistic Influence and Expression
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY DESCRIPTION:
Photography is a visual arts elective that offers the secondary student an opportunity to study and develop a life-long skill. The content of this class includes a historical overview from the origins of photography to contemporary photographers. The mechanics of the camera, negative and print development are an essential portion of the curriculum. Simple alternative printing methods and techniques are also included in this broad overview of black and white photography.
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY Units:
1.  Introduction to Photographic Processes and History
2.  Basic Camera Function and Photographic Techniques
3.  People in Photography
4.  Alternative Photographic Processes & Final Series Development
Subject: B & W PHOTO / Grade: 10-12th Grade / Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/25 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Introduction to Photographic Processes and History
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will understand and utilize basic photographic tools and darkroom chemistry while following proper darkroom etiquette and safety measures. The history of photography will be covered, discussing advancements made, materials used and the historical and social impact photography has had on society.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
·  Understand the functions of a basic pinhole camera.
·  Understand the function of chemicals and the process of developing a negative & photogram.
·  Identify the enlarger anatomy.
·  Create imagery in the darkroom without the use of a camera.
·  Build a pinhole camera and capture a negative image.
·  Create a positive image from a negative image.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit:
Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions: To create a great photograph you need expensive equipment.
Concepts/Content:
·  Pinhole Photography
·  Types of Cameras
·  Basic Darkroom Chemistry & Techniques
·  The Enlarger
·  Photograms / Competencies/Skills:
·  Understand the history of photography.
·  Use basic photographic tools and materials.
·  Understand function of each chemical in developing process.
·  Follow darkroom etiquette and safety.
·  Identify enlarger anatomy. / Description of Activities:
·  History of photography lecture.
·  Build a pinhole camera and take a negative image.
·  Create a positive from negative image.
·  Create a photogram.
Assessments:
Projects: Summative Create a camera device that reflects light onto photosensitive material to create a negative image and reverse the print through the development process.
Interdisciplinary Connections: Chemistry, Photojournalism: Wars, Birth of Motion Pictures/Muybridge / Additional Resources: History of Photography PowerPoint, Photography: The Definitive Visual History
Man Ray
Subject: B & W PHOTO / Grade: 10-12th Grade / Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Basic Camera Function and Photographic Techniques
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will use the basic tools available on their camera to photograph specific imagery with intent.
Comprehension of the darkroom, equipment and chemistry will allow students to develop film and create contact sheets and enlargements.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
·  Understand and utilize the functions of a camera.
·  Understand and utilize aperture and shutter speed settings to capture properly exposed photographs.
·  Shoot film that follows compositional rules such as framing and rule of thirds.
·  Understand and perform the steps to develop film.
·  Utilize darkroom equipment to create contact sheets and enlargements.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions: Shooting on the automatic setting is the smartest choice…. The picture will be in focus and exposed properly, but you lose control of depth of field, blurring or freezing motion and the mood of the composition.
Concepts/Content:
·  Anatomy & Settings/Functions of Camera
·  Film Developing
·  Contact Sheets/Test Strips
·  Negative enlarging
·  Composition Rules & Framing / Competencies/Skills:
·  Use the basic tools available in their camera.
·  Understand/Utilize film developing steps.
·  Enlarge images.
·  Utilize darkroom tools and equipment.
·  Understand effective framing of photos following composition rules & framing. / Description of Activities:
·  Shooting & developing a roll of film.
·  Create a test strip & contact sheet for their film roll.
·  Create enlargements of photos.
·  Notebook Maintenance
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create 3 enlargements from a developed roll of film that are in focus, show a range of values, and use compositional rules.
Interdisciplinary Connections: / Additional Resources: Ansel Adams
Subject: B & W PHOTO / Grade: 10-12th Grade / Suggested Timeline: 4 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: People in Photography
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will study the history of portraiture and its impact on the arts, along with an array of famous portrait photographers. Discussions on composing, cropping, and lighting in portrait imagery will guide students while shooting their film.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
·  Use different lighting effects while shooting their film.
·  Understand and utilize cropping techniques to frame the human figure.
·  Use posing techniques and viewpoints to add to their compositions.
·  Understand legal factors in portrait photography.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions:
Digital photography produces stronger outcomes than film photography.
Concepts/Content:
·  Famous Portrait Photographers
·  History of Portraiture
·  Composition Rules in Portraiture
·  Lighting / Competencies/Skills:
·  Gain knowledge on famous portrait photographers, their impact and style.
·  Understand how to crop and frame the human figure.
·  Gain posing techniques and viewpoints.
·  Grasp how to capture an individual’s personality on film. / Description of Activities:
·  Shooting a roll of film based on portraiture including:
o  close-up, mid-range and full figure shots
o  candid shots
o  non-facial portraiture
o  lighting effects
·  Developing film & creating enlargements.
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create 5 enlargements, using the range of easel sizes with clean borders that represent the film requirements. [candid, different ranges, lighting, etc.]
Interdisciplinary Connections: / Additional Resources: Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Steve McCurry, Jimmy Nelson, Mark Seliger, Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus, Yusuf Karsh
Subject: B & W PHOTO / Grade: 10-12th Grade / Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Alternative Photographic Processes & Final Series Development
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will utilize photography as a creative tool and learn how to think in terms of an individual artistic statement. Storyline development will guide students to develop a coherent photographic series and alternative presentations will be explored for displaying photographs.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
·  Understand and utilize the enlarger to create alternative outcomes.
·  Utilize masking and overlay techniques.
·  Develop a storyline and coherent photographic series.
·  Create alternative presentations for photographs.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions:
Digital technology [image editing software] is required to achieve altered/manipulated effects in photography.
Concepts/Content:
·  Photographic techniques [in and outside of the darkroom]
·  Themed photography & presentation. / Competencies/Skills:
·  Understand & utilize various alternative processes: solarization, colorization, enlarger manipulation, and masking & overlay techniques.
·  Develop a coherent photographic series. / Description of Activities:
·  Shooting/enlarging a roll of film that contains subject matter/textures to achieve specific alternative processes.
·  Creating alternative presentations for themed photography.
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create two alternative process enlargements utilizing any of the film rolls shot during class. [Size and presentation of images should be based on the subject matter]
Create a themed series of photographs that tells a story.
Interdisciplinary Connections: Photojournalism: The Magnificent Eleven [Robert Capa] WWII Tony Vaccaro / Additional Resources: Jerry Uelsmann