Grade 7 Creative Arts – Exploring Self-Portraits in Various Mediums

Lesson Plan Title: Grade 7 Creative Arts – Exploring Self-Portraits in Various Mediums

  1. Lesson Plan Title: Grade 7 Creative Arts – Exploring Self-Portraits in Various Mediums

  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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?”
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.