Classroom Resource

The Elements of Art: Form

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

3, 4

Overview

Students will explore form in sculptures by Alexander Calder.  They will experiment with lines by drawing and creating sculptures.  

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 3 - Visual Arts

AE17.VA.3.13

Use learned vocabulary to evaluate artwork based on given criteria.

Unpacked Content

UP:AE17.VA.3.13

Vocabulary

  • Creativity
  • Criteria
  • Critique
  • Design
  • Media
  • Mixed media
  • Monochromatic
  • Principles of design
    • Rhythm
  • Technology
  • Visual image

Essential Questions

EU: People evaluate art based on various criteria.
EQ: How does one determine criteria to evaluate a work of art? How and why might criteria vary? How is a personal preference different from an evaluation?

Skills Examples

  • Identify the basic elements of art in a work of art through discussion and writing.
  • Observe and compare similar themes in artwork from historical and contemporary eras.
  • Theorize how individuals can have different opinions about works of art.
  • Demonstrate and apply critiques of personal work and the work of others in a positive way.
  • Select an art object and explain reasons why it is a work of art.
  • Use feedback and self-assessment to improve the quality of personal artwork.
  • Discuss the difference between Meret Oppenheim's Object and an everyday cup.
  • Discuss how art can be related to other subject areas.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 4 - Visual Arts

AE17.VA.4.1

Individually brainstorm multiple approaches to an art problem.

Unpacked Content

UP:AE17.VA.4.1

Vocabulary

  • Constructed environment
  • Cultural traditions
  • Digital format
  • Engagement
  • Tertiary color
  • Preservation
  • Proportion
  • Principles of design
    • Unity
  • Shade
  • Style
  • Tints & shades

Essential Questions

EU: Creativity and innovative thinking are essential life skills that can be developed.
EQ: What conditions, attitudes, and behaviors support creativity and innovative thinking? What factors prevent or encourage people to take creative risks? How does collaboration expand the creative process?

Skills Examples

  • Create a list of multiple ideas, sketches, or thumbnail-sketches before beginning the final version of an artwork.
  • Identify, select, and vary art materials, tools and processes to achieve desired results in their artwork.
  • Brainstorm (alone or with others) potential art styles for a given piece of art, such as Monet's Water Lilies.
  • Create an artwork from direct observation (still-life, self-portrait, figure drawing, etc.).
  • Design a two-dimensional drawings of a futuristic art room, town, or planet
  • Use wood, found objects, wire, paper, or clay-based materials to construct a three-dimensional form.
  • Locate business logos in the community and explore the visual arts skills and materials that were used to create these works.
  • Engage in group critiques of one's work and the work of others.
  • Experiment with art materials by using them in unusual and creative ways to express ideas and convey meaning.
  • Use and care for materials, tools, and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others.
  • Mix equal parts of a primary and a secondary color located beside each other on the color wheel to create a tertiary color.
  • Use the design principles of repetition and alignment to add visual unity to an artwork.
  • Create a painting using a monochromatic color scheme by using one color (red) adding white to create a tint (a lighter value--pink) and adding black to the color (red) to create a shade (darker value).

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Link to Resource
https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/form…

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Other

Resource Provider other

National Gallery of Art
Accessibility
License

License Type

CUSTOM

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.nga.gov/notices/terms-of-use.html

Approved Date

ALSDE LOGO

This site may contain links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THIS SITE.
Alabama Learning Exchange © 2002-2023 by Alabama State Department of Education is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Design by Adaptive Theme