Levels 5 - 10
Although my background is in Secondary Teaching, the literacy and visual arts abilities of my Year 7 class required me to develop resources targeted at a Vic Curric. 5–6 level, in order to meet students at their point of need. Similarly at years 9 - 10, but as this is an elective subject at this stage, students Vic Curric levels trend to more closely match the year level they are actually in.
Students research different festivals and cultures around the world and bring in their own interests to create an idea for a plaster mask.
Students look back at the history of Pop Art, and artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, as inspiration for creating their own pop artwork. They consider how best to visually represent the literary concept of an onomatopoeia!
In this unit, students follow each stage of the design process to create their own design for block printing. Considering traditional methods of printing, and the basics of using the sewing machine, students work towards creating their own cushion cover.
As a mini introduction to VCE art, students choose an artist that is interesting to them, to create a mini research project. Students are introduced to the idea of 'responding' to artists and artworks.
Students are introduced to textiles and mixed materials, through a selection of hand sewing projects. Students build upon these throughout the term, by following the design process and completing a hand sewn plushie.
In this short lesson students are encouraged to discuss some big themes, meanings and messages behind art. They learn that art analysis can be something as simple as giving your opinion on an artowrk, and can go as deep as recreating artworks to shift their meanings and challenge the viewer.
In this unit, students are encouraged to dig deep into an idea, theme, meaning or message that is important to them. It can be something as simple as 'food should be free at the canteen!' or 'women should be paid the same as men'. They are encouraged to look at existing arworks that tackle this, and challenged to create their own.
In preparation for VCE art, students are given the opportunity to create an artwork or series of works, that is predominantly student led. They choose their themes, and materials. They are introduced to the cultural and social lenses, as used in art creative practice.
This unit looks at all kinds of street art - from graffiti, to sculpture, to Melbourne's Art Trams. It is designed to be a quick two week activity, to get students into making early in the term, before longer term projects follow.
This design project introduces students to the design process in visual communication design. Students respond to a design brief, and research and plan to create their own 'dream room'. They bring this room to life through one point perspective drawing.
Students are introduced to printmaking through a series of printing techniques, including lino cutting and mono printing. Students create their own design, based on inspiration found from other printmaking artists.
As an introduction to year 9 art, students look at the history of zine making, and collage as an artform. They choose their own topic, and create a zine, using collage and mixed media.