Art Movements

Once we wrap up our study of the elements of art, we move into a broad and sweeping study of different art movements. This is often the most exciting part of the semester for the students! They have “graduated” from notes and activities into week after week of hands on learning, making and creating.

I work very hard to contain each movement to a single week. This consistency mirrors our practice from the first elements of art unit and helps kids learn time management. We start each week on Monday with a short intro lesson on the movement, an overview of their assignment, and a chance for them to test it out in their sketchbooks. I find that kids will tell me pretty consistently that they can’t do this (no matter what this is), and I always respond by telling them their sketchbook is a place for practicing new skills. Their sketchbook grades are based on them trying, not succeeding!

Tuesday-Friday are creation days. I find that once students start working at their own pace it doesn’t work to try to stop everyone to give new instructions. I keep a very basic step by step on the board while they are working each day so that they can reference back to that if they aren’t sure what they should be doing.