River Valley School District Curriculum Template

Course name: Art

Credit(s) or Grade Level: 7th grade Art

Academic Standards: https://www.nationalartsstandards.org/

Prerequisite(s): 6th grade Art

Course Description:

This 9 week course provides 7th grade artists an opportunity to explore 2D and 3D forms in visual art. Students will explore art through drawing, printmaking, origami, and ceramics.

Units:

Duration:

Essential Learning/Outcomes:

Sketchbook Cover Design

1 week

• Explore repetition of line and shape through creating a pattern sketchbook cover design
• Assemble sketchbook to use as a brainstorm space for the quarter

Radial Paper Relief

2 weeks

• Explore contemporary applications of origami
• Explore radial design through found object assemblages
• Learn 5 basic origami techniques and apply to a radial paper relief design
• Use a variety of colors and folds in a radial composition

Gratitude Printmaking

2 weeks

• Explore ideas of gratitude and thankfulness by examining contemporary artist practice
• Design a font style of a word of gratitude
• Demonstrate understanding of positive and negative space
• Demonstrate understanding of relief printing
• Experiment with the printing process by using ink to print on paper and fabric
• Collaboratively design a printed banner to be displayed in the school

Clay Slab Vessel

2 weeks

• Demonstrate understanding of pinch pot, coil, and slab construction
• Use slab construction to build a vessel that has containment purpose
• Explore ideas of belonging for objects of meaning
• Explore glazing to create vibrant color, and a waterproof/food safe seal to the clay

Optical Illusion Drawing

2 weeks

• Explore 2D vs 3D
• Build understanding of optical illusions used in public art through studying contemporary artists  
• Create a drawing that uses pattern to form an optical illusion by turning circles into spheres