Lesson Plan Title: Grade 7 Creative Arts – Exploring Self-Portraits in Various Mediums
- Lesson Plan Title: Grade 7 Creative Arts – Exploring Self-Portraits in Various Mediums
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Materials Needed
- Drawing paper (A3 size)
- Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- Erasers
- Mirrors (one per student or group)
- Watercolors and brushes
- Oil pastels
- Charcoal sticks
- Reference images of famous self-portraits
- Aprons for students
- Newspapers or plastic sheets to cover tables
- Palettes and water jars for painting
- Art portfolios for storing work
- Learning Objectives
- Understand the concept of a self-portrait and its historical significance.
- Explore different art mediums: pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, and charcoal.
- Create a self-portrait using one of the explored mediums.
- Develop observational skills and attention to detail.
- Reflect on artistic choices and the mediums used.
- Vocabulary
- Self-portrait: A representation of an artist created by themselves.
- Medium: The materials or tools used by an artist to create their work.
- Charcoal: A form of dried carbon used for drawing.
- Oil Pastel: A painting and drawing medium with characteristics similar to pastels and wax crayons.
- Observation: Careful watching and analysis for making art.
- Previous Learning
- Introduction to basic drawing and painting techniques.
- Familiarity with the primary and secondary colors.
- Experience with other forms of self-expression and creativity.
- Anticipated Challenges and Solutions
- Challenge: Difficulty in drawing accurate self-portraits.
Solution: Provide a step-by-step guided demonstration and individual assistance. - Challenge: Managing the use of different art mediums in one session.
Solution: Organize the lesson into stations with clear instructions at each station.
- Challenge: Difficulty in drawing accurate self-portraits.
- Beginning Activities (10% of time)
- Introduction (5 minutes): Brief discussion about self-portraits, explaining their history and importance. Show examples of famous self-portraits, including works by Vincent van Gogh and Frida Kahlo.
- Objective Setting (5 minutes): Explain the day’s activities and objectives. Discuss the different mediums students will use and the goals for the lesson.
- Middle Activities (80% of time)
- Demonstration (10 minutes): Demonstrate how to draw a basic self-portrait using a mirror to observe facial features. Show how to use each medium (pencil, watercolor, oil pastel, charcoal) and highlight their effects.
- Activity Stations (60 minutes): Set up different stations for each medium. Students rotate through stations, spending approximately 15 minutes at each, experimenting and creating mini self-portraits.
- Pencil Station: Focus on sketching and shading techniques.
- Watercolor Station: Explore color blending and brush techniques.
- Oil Pastel Station: Experiment with layering colors and blending.
- Charcoal Station: Practice creating different textures and contrasts.
- Main Project (50 minutes): After experimenting, students choose their preferred medium to create a detailed self-portrait. Provide individual guidance and feedback during this time.
- End Activities (10% of time)
- Gallery Walk (5 minutes): Display all the self-portraits and allow students to walk around and view each other’s work.
- Reflection (5 minutes): Lead a discussion where students reflect on their work. Questions may include: “What medium did you choose and why?”, “What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?”, and “What did you learn about yourself through this process?”
- Assessment and Checks for Understanding
- Formative Assessment: Observe students during activities, providing immediate feedback and assistance.
- Summative Assessment: Evaluate the final self-portrait based on effort, originality, and the techniques demonstrated.
- Peer Review: Have students share their work and give constructive feedback to each other.
- Differentiation Strategies
- For Students Needing Extra Help: Provide simplified instructions and more one-on-one assistance. Offer smaller projects or focus on fewer mediums.
- For Advanced Students: Encourage them to experiment with combining different mediums or creating more complex self-portraits.
- Sensory Accommodations: Ensure students with sensory sensitivities are comfortable with the materials, providing alternatives if necessary.
- Teaching Notes
- Ensure a calm classroom environment where students feel free to express themselves without judgment.
- Remind students that art is subjective, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to create a self-portrait.
- Prepare and organize all materials before the lesson to avoid confusion and ensure smooth transitions between activities.
- Encourage students to keep an art journal where they can jot down ideas, reflections, and techniques learned during the lesson.
- Ensure proper clean-up routines, especially when using mediums like watercolors and charcoal.
CAPS Alignment and Integration:
This lesson aligns with the CAPS curriculum’s focus on developing creativity, observation, and technical skills in Grade 7 Creative Arts. The emphasis on using different mediums provides a comprehensive approach to learning about self-portraits.
Indigenous Knowledge Integration:
Include discussion on self-portrait traditions within indigenous South African cultures where applicable. Highlight traditional art forms and mediums in these cultures to provide a broader context.
Cross-curricular Links:
– History: Discuss the historical context of famous artists and their self-portraits.
– Life Orientation: Reflect on self-awareness and self-expression through art.
– Language: Students can write a short artist statement about their self-portrait, incorporating descriptive language and personal reflection.
Practical Considerations:
– Make sure mirrors are securely placed to avoid accidents.
– Consider the classroom layout to prevent media from contaminating each other (e.g., keep watercolors away from charcoals).
– Provide clear instructions for cleanup to ensure a tidy environment after the lesson.
Teaching Tips:
– Encourage students to lightly sketch outlines before adding detail to practice proportion and placement.
– Use visual aids and live demonstrations to make concepts more concrete.
– Create a positive and supportive environment where students feel comfortable exploring and making mistakes.