Curated OER
Notes Unit 1: Art Fundamentals
Here is a guide for your middle schoolers to use while you are providing a lecture on the basics of art. They use this worksheet to aid them as they take notes on the purpose of art, art elements, properties of art, and art principles....
Curated OER
Play a Painting
Students examine music and art together and see the distinctive elements of each form. It can also demonstrate how their characteristics are interrelated. They create musical interpretations of two works of art.
Curated OER
Around the Bend
Students examine the art elements of the Inca "Large Jug." For this visual art lesson, students identify the colors, pattern, and shape of the Inca "Large Jug." Students then draw a design on a flat and curved surface and discuss the...
Curated OER
Identify the Element of Line
Learners explore the element of "line." In this beginning art lesson, students listen to the book Harold and the Purple Crayon, then describe the types of lines Harold drew. Learners identify straight lines, jagged lines, curvy lines,...
Curated OER
Mysteries of the Past-An Artistic Expedition
Students explore expression in artwork. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students travel to ancient Egypt to examine abstract art of the Nile River valley through several hands-on activities.
Curated OER
Walking the Line
Students participate in activities that engage all learning styles (such as picture walks, tracing lines, movement/theatre technique) as an introduction to the art element of line and its importance to art.
Curated OER
Recycling With Art
Students create works of art from recyclable materials. In this visual arts lesson, students investigate works of art created from recyclable materials. Students choose an emotion to convey and then create an art piece from materials...
Curated OER
Walk into the Desert, A Line and Wash Landscape
Students discuss a landscape art print and its composition. They create a landscape underdrawing with foreground, middleground and background as well as repeated elements for rhythm. They add a watercolor wash and lights/darks for...
Curated OER
How to "read" a painting
Students follow a structured method of critiquing an art work to discover its substance and meaning. They apply four distinct steps to critique a painting which are: describe, analyze, interpret, and judgment.
Curated OER
Letter from the Chateau
Students write a friendly letter based on their observations of a painting by Poussin.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Art Critiques Made Easy
A tipsheet giving ideas on how to encourage students to think and speak critically about visual arts, music, dance, and even literature.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Art, Design, and Visual Thinking
Use the left-hand toolbar of this site to investigate an online textbook for the language of design. It provides visual examples and explanations of line, form, color, color psychology, texture, balance, proportion and many more...
Goshen College
Some Ideas About Composition and Design
Starts with explaining visual elements, goes through design principles, balance, visual effects, and more. Teaching tips included too.
Palomar Community College District
Palomar College: 2 D Design Notes: Design and Composition: Color
Every aspect of working with color in visual art can be found on this page. Comprehensive information ranging from value to color interaction.
Other
Arts Connect Ed Playground Make It
Eight fun on-line art activities where young artists get to create, color, and design.
University of South Florida
No Strings Attached: Geometric Figures
Students will prove their knowledge of geometric shape by capturing photographs of examples within their environment.
Other
Mondrimat
This interactive program is designed to let you experiment with the elements of art and create an original work inspired by Piet Mondrian. All you need to do is read the simple directions and start clicking!
Other
Guidance Communications: The Alphabet of Art
A site dedicated to providing vocabulary for the elements of visual design. Includes a visual notation system for describing both the elements and attributes of art.
Other
Dayton Art Institute: An American Painting
American painter Charles Sheeler uses simple shapes to create his painting "Stacks in Celebration." See if you can find the shapes and then follow the lesson plan to create a similar painting of your own.