FORT BRAGG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Course Outline
7th + 8th Grade Art
Updated: February 2016
Subject Area: Visual Art
Proposed Grade Level: 7+8
Course Length: 1 Semester
Grading: A-F
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This art class supports seventh grade students in learning about the
connection between art and culture through exploring curriculum based on
the California Public School Standards for Visual Art. Students will gain new
skills and build upon existing skills by creating original works that reflect
their growth as an artist over the course of their semester in Art class.
Seventh grade students have attained basic skills, this class seeks to support
them in refining the criteria they will use to gauge the success of their own,
and others', works of art.
This art class supports eighth grade students in making personal connections
to visual arts through exploring curriculum based on the California Public
School Standards for Visual Art. Students will gain new techniques and build
upon existing skills by creating original works that reflect their growth as an
artist over the course of their semester in Art class. Eighth grade students
have attained basic skills and knowledge, this class seeks to provide them
with a more in-depth exploration of visual art.
GENERAL COURSE GOALS:




Provide students with a review of art history.
Build technical skills and student confidence through completion of
projects of increasing complexity.
To develop students’ knowledge and use of academic language that is
specifically related to art and art criticism.
To engage students with projects which reflect popular culture and
contemporary art.
STUDENT READING COMPONENT:

Students will follow simple written directions and read daily journal
questions.
STUDENT WRITING COMPONENT:

Students will complete daily journal responses to questions related to
the current, or upcoming, unit of study.
STUDENT MATH COMPONENT:

Students will be required to use basic measurement skills to complete
some projects.
STUDENT ORAL COMPONENT:

Students will participate in class discussions during both the daily
journal response and teacher led power point presentations.
DETAILED UNITS OF INSTRUCTION:
All class projects include instruction based on the California Public School
Standards for Visual Art for grades seven and eight, and review of standards
for grade six, and will include the following:





7.1 and 8.1, Artistic Perception- Students will explore the processes for reflection
on and analysis of artworks in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation
of art.
7.2 and 8.2, Creative Expression- Students will experiment with the processes
and techniques used in the creation of art and work towards developing a personal
artistic style and vision.
7.3 and 8.3, Historical and Cultural Context- Students will research the historical
and social context of visual art and gain a better understanding of the significance of
art within world cultures.
7.4 and 8.4, Aesthetic Valuing- Students will examine their own art, as well as
the work of others, responding to, analyzing and making judgments about the
success and merits of different works of art.
7.5 and 8.5, Connections, Relationships, and Applications- Students will
connect and apply what they learn about art techniques, forms, and history to other
subject areas and career opportunities.
Unit I: PAPER ART- 1/22- 3/4
1. Handprint Art Goal (grades 7 and 8)
7.2.1- Develop increasing skill in the use of at least three different media.
2. Artist Portfolios)
7.4.4- Develop and apply specific and appropriate criteria individually or in
groups to assess and critique works of art.
3. Notan
7.1.1- Describe the environment and selected works of art, using the
elements of art and the principles of design.
4.
House Project
7.1.2 Identify and describe scale (proportion) as applied to two-dimensional and
three-dimensional works of art.
7.2.5 Interpret fantasy and reality in original two-dimensional and three-dimensional
of art.
works
Unit II: DRAWING- 3/7-4/8
5. Gray Ground Drawing
6.2.1- Use various observational drawing skills to depict a variety of subject
matter.
6.2.3- Create a drawing, using varying tints, shades, and intensities.
6. Gesture Drawing
6.2.1- Use various observational drawing skills to depict a variety of subject
matter.
7.4.3- Take an active part in a small group discussion about the artistic value
of specific works of art, with a wide range of the viewpoints of peers being
considered.
7. Perspective Drawing
7.1.3- Identify and describe the ways in which artists convey the illusion of
space (e.g., placement, overlapping, relative size, atmospheric perspective,
and linear perspective)
7.2.2- Use different forms of perspective to show the illusion of depth on a
two dimensional surface.
8. Cartoon Art
8.2.1- Demonstrate an increased knowledge of technical skills in using more
complex two dimensional art media and processes. (e.g. printing press, silk
screening, computer graphics software)
8.5.2- Create a painting, satirical drawing, or editorial cartoon that expresses
personal opinions about current social or political issues.
Unit IV: PAINTING- 4/18-5/13
10. Color Wheel
7.2.4- Develop skill in mixing paints and showing color relationships.
11. Pop Art
.
8.3.3- Identify major works of art created by women and describe the impact
of those works on society at that time.
12.
Dot Painting
6.2.4- Create increasingly complex original works of art reflecting personal
choices and increased technical skill.
Unit V: PRINTMAKING- 5/16-6/10
13. Styrofoam Prints
6.4.4- Change, edit, or revise their works of art after a critique, articulating
reasons for their changes.
7.2.7- Create a series of works of art that expresses a personal statement
demonstrating skill in applying the elements of art and the principles of
design.
7.3.2- Compare and contrast works of art from various periods, styles, and
cultures and explain how those works reflect the society in which they were
made.
13. Linoleum Printmaking
8.3.1- Examine and describe or report on the role of a work of art created to
make a social comment or protest social conditions.
ASSESSMENTS:
ACTIVITY
%/POINTS
Attendance & Participation
Handprint Art Goal
Artist Portfolio
Notan
House Project
Gray Ground Drawing
Gesture Drawing
Perspective Drawing
Comic Art
Color Wheel
Pop Art
Dot Painting
Styrofoam Prints
Linoleum Prints
20%
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
TOTAL
325
Basic Course Requirements & Expectations:
Students are expected to be motivated learners who attend all classes, participate
in class activities, and complete assignments on time. Additionally, students are
expected to contribute to a positive and safe learning environment by
demonstrating respect for materials, classmates, and teacher.
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTIONS:
* All projects include detailed grading rubrics which are used by students and
teacher to determine scores.
Attendance & Participation: Student attends all classes and comes to
class prepared. Student uses class time for active learning and contributes
during class discussions. Student completes all written notes and daily
journal responses.
Handprint Art Goal: Student identifies a personal learning goal for the
semester and contributes a painted handprint on paper to the class wall.
Artist Portfolio: Student creates an original work of art on the surface of
their portfolio and uses it to properly store their artwork over the course of
the semester. Student participates in developing grading rubric.
Notan: Demonstrates a unique design and the use of positive and negative
space.
House Project: Individual or team uses class time effectively, project
includes landscaping and has a one inch border.
Gray Ground Drawing: Student follows all directions. Finished drawing
demonstrates a variety of tints, shades, and intensities.
Gesture Drawing: Student completes quick daily gesture drawings and
trades posing with a partner during drawing time.
Perspective Drawing: Student demonstrates use of one or two vanishing
point or points and a horizon line to create a realistic drawing.
Cartoon Art: Individual or team uses class time effectively, drawings include figure
drawing and perspective techniques studied in class.
Color Wheel: Student draws color wheel and labels colors correctly. All
colors are accurate and painted edges are neat.
Pop Art Painting: Student brings in a product label or tag from home. Student
correctly constructs and uses viewfinder to create an original composition. Painting
demonstrates improved color mixing and application skills.
Dot Painting: Student chooses a local animal or insect for their dot
painting. Student fills the entire space of the paper with dots.
Styrofoam and Linoleum Prints: Student completes preliminary sketches
for their plates. Students carves plates so that letters and numbers read
correctly. Student completes at least three prints from each carved plate.
*Please sign and return to teacher*
I have read through the contents of this outline with my Grade 7/8 Art
student.
Parent/Guardian (print):
Parent/Guardian (sign):

*See what the Art students are creating*
Find and “like” us on Facebook!
search for  FBMS ART
or go to  www.facebook.com/timbercubsart