A Semester of Printmaking with Middle School Gifted Students

This semester I am teaching an Art of Printmaking class to gifted students in
grade 6, 7, and 8.  Students will attend class one 2.5 hour class  per week for
17 weeks.  I am hoping to help others by sharing some of the trials and errors
I encounter along the way.  Let’s start with the goals and objectives:
Goals and Objectives for Printmaking Class
Know:
  • Know the 7 elements of art and identify their usage in art
  • Know the 7 design principles and identify their usage in art.
  • Know efficient and safe methods for tool and material usage.
  • Know the basic methods of printmaking and processes for creating art prints.
  • Know general history and culture of printmaking.
  • Know basic drawing techniques for enhancing the message in art.



Do:
  • Practice safe and responsible use of tools, equipment, and materials in printmaking
  • Create 2-dimensional art using a variety of drawing and printmaking methods and materials.
  • Plan, draft, revise, and edit our pieces to increase our skills and enhance meaning.
  • Utilize the 7 elements and 7 principles of art in our pieces.
  • Discuss the impact and meaning of various works of art.
  • Critique our work and the works of others so we may grow as artist and audience.
  • Write artists statements in order to clarify our message and artistic experience.
  • Accept ourselves as learners on a continuum.  
  • Share our art in our community.



The Understandings:
  • Art affects the audience and the artist.
  • Artistic experience is unique to each person.
  • Skills and strategies can be used to increase meaning in our art.
  • The process of creating teaches us.
  • Artists plan, revise, and edit to increase understanding of their art.
  • We grow as artists with each piece.
  • Artists deliver messages.
  • Audiences and artists search for meaning in art and artistic experiences.



Essential Questions:
  • What have I learned about myself from this experience?
  • How do the materials change as they are processed and modified?
  • What is my art saying?
  • Why am I creating this piece?
  • What is my message?
  • Why do I create?  What does it do for me/to me?
  • How are the principles and elements incorporated into this piece?
  • Is this piece for the artist or the audience?  Is art for the artist or the audience?  How do we know?
  • What is the purpose of an artist statement?
  • Why do I make art?
  • What is art?
  • Is this art?
  • What feedback can I give fellow artists and myself so  may grow as artists and increase meaning in our art pieces?
In the next post I will share the supplies ordered and created for a semester
long printmaking unit.

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