Middle (Grades 6-8)

Aesthetic Perception-- Students recognize and use the visual arts as a form of communication

Creating and Expressing--Students know and apply elements of art, principles of design, and sensory and expressive features of visual arts.

Tools and Technique--Students know and apply appropriate use of visual arts materials, tools, techniques, and processes. 

History and Culture--Students relate the visual arts to various historical and cultural traditions. 

Evaluation--Students analyze and evaluate the characteristics, merits, and meaning of works of art. 

Using their own artwork or work of others, write a statement that explains how the artist's feelings are displayed visually.

Create a work of art based upon an interpretation of a sensory experience.

Create works of art inspired by spoken and written stories and poems

Develop ideas for works of art by conducting research and making preliminary sketches or models

Identify the role of the artist in mass media

Use brainstorming as a means to generate ideas for works of art. 

Recognize and apply the Principles of Design:  Contrast, Rhythm(regular, random, alternating) Repetition, Pattern (simple and complex) Proportion (size relationships, exaggeration) Balance (symmetry and asymmetry, radial) Emphasis (focal point) Variety

Recognize and apply the Elements of Art

Create a figurative sculpture using paper mache, clay, wire, etc. in an additive method

Create a composition using linear perspective

Utilizing positive and negative space, create a linoleum print

Create a sculpture piece using a subtractive technique

Create a composition using atmospheric perspective

Use a computer and peripherals to manipulate and create artwork

Identify unique features of particular art styles and movements

Observe and discuss the use of indigenous materials in various art forms used in other cultures

Examine and discuss artwork created as a social comment or to protest social conditions

Identify major works of art by diverse groups of people (e.g. women, ethnic cultures, or outsider art)

Identify art as a record of time, place, and people

Predict outcomes if the elements of design or the materials were altered in a particular work of art

Apply the four steps of art criticism: 

Develop and describe personal reasons for valuing works

Lines (straight, curved, zigzag, wavy, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, spiral, horizon, contour, broken, thick and thin) 

Shape (geometric or organic) 

Color (primary, secondary, neutral, complementary, warm and cool, color wheel, hue, opaque, transparent)

Form ( three dimensional, organic or geometric; simple or complex)

Texture ( visual and tactile, rough, smooth, hard, soft)

Values (light, medium and dark) 

Space (actual and implied, overlapping, positive and negative, empty and full, close and far, point of view, foreground, middle-ground, and background, composition)

Describe the work

Analyze the work in terms of elements and design principles

Interpret the work in terms of ideas and emotions

Judge the work and its success both technically and either in communicating an idea, an emotion, or fulfilling a practical purpose