Eighth Grade and Project Examples

UNIT 1: PROBLEMS IN AESTHETICS AND CRITICISM

Using a variety of techniques, including games, debate, discussion, videos, etc., we will delve deeply into questions of aesthetics and criticism. The class may visit working artists in their studios or play "Token Response" in an art gallery. Final project: students will write poetry based upon selected artworks.

UNIT 2: FIGURE DRAWING

Students will study proportions and be introduced to gesture drawing. Using each other as models, they will practice a variety of drawing styles. Final project: a figural work in the student's choice of medium and style.

UNIT 3: COMMERCIAL ART

We will discuss the concepts of form and function in good design and "commercial" versus "fine" arts. Final project: students will design "Swatch" style watches.

REMAINING UNITS

PROJECTS IN EIGHTH GRADE SHOULD ALLOW STUDENTS A WIDE LATITUDE IN CHOICE OF STYLE AND MEDIA. PROJECTS WHICH HAVE BEEN DONE SUCCESSFULLY INCLUDE: WORKING FROM A STILL LIFE SET-UP; REINTERPRETING A "MASTERPIECE", DOING A FREE SCULPTURE; BASING A WORK UPON AN IMAGE SEEN THROUGH A GLASS BLOCK; CREATING A MASK, AND INDEPENDENT STUDY. STUDENTS SHOULD FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THEIR PERSONAL STYLES.

INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT:

STUDENTS WILL VISIT A GALLERY OR ART FAIR AND SELECT A WORK OF ART THAT INTERESTS THEM.  THEY WILL CONTACT THE ARTIST AND GET THE ANSWERS TO A LIST OF QUESTIONS PROVIDED BY THE TEACHER.  THE STUDENT WILL DISCUSS THE INTERVIEW IN AN INFORMAL CLASSROOM PRESENTATION.

MUSICAL INTERPRETATION OF ART PROJECTS: STUDENT ARE ASKED TO DO FREE DRAWINGS ON LARGE MUSIC MANUSCRIPT PAPER. BEN PRINCE, A GRADUATE OF THE OBERLIN CONSERVATORY WITH A MAJOR IN MUSIC COMPOSITION, SPENDS A PERIOD WITH EACH CLASS IMPROVISING MUSIC BASED UPON THE STUDENTS' ART. HE DISCUSSES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMPROVISATION AND COMPOSITION AND TOUCHES UPON TONE, COLOR, TEXTURE, PATTERN, ETC. THIS CLASS IS SUBJECT TO MR. PRINCE'S AVAILABILITY. IN THE EVENT HE CANNOT VISIT, THE LESSON MAY BE MODIFIED IN ONE OF SEVERAL WAYS.

	This is an example of the "Swatch" watch project.
	Independent work
	Reinterpret a masterpiece
	Reinterpret a masterpiece
	Reinterpret a masterpiece
	Independent study