MIDDLE SCHOOL ART SYLLABUS

6th GRADE: Each quarter of the semester includes 1-2 tests followed by a project after each test. Each project incorporates concepts from the corresponding test.

Grades are determined by:

  • Tests/Projects40%
  • Daily Work/Quizzes40%
  • Exams20%

Focus: Basics of drawing with the elements of design

  • Basics of drawing include Gesture Line drawing, Contour Line drawing, Shading, and Color
  • Elements of Design include Line, Shape, Form, Space, Color, Texture, and Value

Introduction: Students create nametags.

Line: Lecture for test

  • Gesture Line
  • Contour Line
  • Calligraphic Lines
  • Implied Lines
  • Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal, Curved, and Zigzag lines as static or active
  • How lines show emotion
  • How lines control eye movement
  • Value
  • Hatching, Cross-Hatching, Stippling, and Shading

Review

Line Test

Maze Project: Students create a maze as described in the rubric, incorporating the concepts and skills from the lecture. Allow time as needed.

Shape, Form, Space: Lecture for test

  • Silhouettes
  • Geometric/Freeform Shapes
  • Forms
  • Geometric/Freeform Forms
  • Positive/Negative Space
  • Sculpture
  • Relief: High and Low (bas) relief
  • Freestanding

Review

Shape, Form, Shape Test

Positive/Negative Space Project: Students create a drawing as described in the rubric, incorporating concepts and skills from the lecture. Allow time as needed.

Illusion of Depth: Lecture for Test

  • Illusion of Depth/Illusion of Form
  • Chiaroscuro
  • Picture Plane
  • Foreground, Middle-Ground, Background
  • 6 techniques for creating the illusion of depth
  • Overlapping, size, placement, detail, color, converging lines

Illusion of Depth Test

Shading Practice: Counts as daily work. Allow time as needed.

Value Scale: Counts as daily work.

Create an Alien Animal Project: Students create 2 drawings of an alien animal as described in the rubric. This project may also be used as a final exam.

If time allows at the end of the semester, students will render their creatures in Sculpee clay. Depending upon time, this may be counted as daily work, a project, or extra credit.

Timeline:

Grading Period 1

  • Weeks 1 and 2: Name tags/ Notes on Line/ Review for test
  • Week 3: Test on Line/ Test corrections and retest
  • Week 4: Art Critique/ Explain “Maze” project rubric/ Begin sketches
  • Weeks 5-6: Work onand complete Maze Project
  • Week 7: Project Critique (if time allows)
  • Week 8: Notes of Shape, Form, Space/ Review
  • Week 9: Test on Shape, Form, Space/ Test corrections and retest

Grading Period 2

  • Week 1: Explain “Positive-Negative Space” project rubric/ Begin Sketches
  • Weeks 2-3: Work on and complete Positive-Negative Space project
  • Week 4: Project Critique (if time allows)
  • Week 5: Notes on the Illusion of Depth/ Review for test
  • Week 6: Test/ Test correction and retest/ Shading practices
  • Week 7: Explain “Create an Alien Animal” project rubric/ Begin sketches and research
  • Weeks 8-9: Work on project drawings (2)
  • The animal in its environment
  • 2 views of the animal