Visual Art Elements Unit – Upper Years

 Overview

Objectives

• To investigate how lines are used to define objects, add detail and express emotion in visual arts.
• To create an artwork by experimenting with various types of lines.
• To investigate how geometric and organic shapes are used in visual arts.
• To create an African-inspired face mask by experimenting with shape.
• To investigate how form can be achieved in visual arts.
• To create the illusion of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional drawing.
• To investigate how colour is used to express feeling and evoke a response in visual arts.
• To create an artwork using complementary, harmonious and monochromatic colour schemes.
• To investigate how texture can be achieved in visual arts.
• To create a three-dimensional textured tile artwork using impressions.
• To investigate how space can be used in visual art to create the illusion of depth.
• To create an artwork that explores the interplay between positive and negative space.

Preparing for Learning

This Visual Arts unit provides excellent opportunities for cross-curricular integration. Look for ways to meaningfully integrate the content of the unit with other learning areas, e.g. Literacy and Science.

Prior to commencing the unit, develop a classroom display to showcase the students’ art. Display word wall vocabulary and educational posters for students to engage with throughout the unit to stimulate their learning. For examples of additional teaching resources to display in your classroom, browse the Visual Arts collection on the Teach Starter website.

Many of the resources that accompany this unit plan need to be prepared prior to teaching. For this reason, teachers are advised to browse through all lessons before commencing the unit.

For some of the lessons in this unit, students explore mixed media at various stages. Additional adult supervision at some of these stages would be beneficial.