1st Six-Week Period: Foundation Building

Elements of Art & Basic Skills Development

Judson STEAM Academy | Middle School Art 1

Duration: Weeks 1-6 (August - September) | Grade Levels: 6-8

Texas TEKS: §117.202(b)(1)(A-D) Foundations: Observation and Perception

Six-Week Period Overview

Primary Focus:

Establish foundational understanding of the seven elements of art through hands-on exploration and skill-building activities.

Essential Questions:

How do the elements of art work together to create visual communication?
What makes effective observational drawing?
How can basic art skills connect to STEAM disciplines?

TEKS Emphasis

Strand 1: Foundations: Observation and Perception
Elements Focus: Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Form, Space, Value
Skills: Drawing fundamentals, observation techniques
Vocabulary: Art terminology development

STEAM Connections

Science: Color theory, light physics, material properties
Technology: Digital art tools, photography basics
Engineering: Technical drawing, structural design
Mathematics: Geometry, proportion, measurement

Portfolio Development

Target: 23+ finished pieces demonstrating mastery of all seven elements

Week 1: Introduction & Setup
Week 2: Line Studies (5 pieces)
Week 3: Shape & Form (5 pieces)
Week 4: Color Theory (5 pieces)
Week 5: Texture & Value (5 pieces)
Week 6: Space & Assessment (3 pieces)

Major Assessment

Elements Portfolio Check

Week 6: Comprehensive portfolio presentation demonstrating understanding of all seven elements of art

Weekly Lesson Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction & Expectations

Course overview and safety procedures
Portfolio organization and setup
Art room procedures and material management
Introduction to STEAM connections in art

Foundation Setting

Week 2: Line Studies & Contour Drawing

Seven types of lines and line quality
Contour, blind contour, and modified contour
Line expression and emotional communication
STEAM: Mathematics (geometric lines, technical drawing)

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Week 3: Shape & Form Exploration

2D shapes vs. 3D forms distinction
Geometric and organic shape identification
Basic shading to show dimension
STEAM: Molecular structures, architectural design

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Week 4: Color Theory & Color Wheel

Primary, secondary, and tertiary color relationships
Color wheel construction and color mixing
Color schemes and psychological effects
STEAM: Light spectrum physics, digital color systems

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Week 5: Texture Studies & Value

Tactile vs. visual texture exploration
Value scales and shading techniques
Mark-making for texture simulation
STEAM: Material science, surface physics

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Week 6: Space & Assessment Review

Positive/negative space and depth techniques
Basic linear perspective concepts
Portfolio organization and presentation
STEAM: Engineering perspective, mathematical ratios

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Assessment & Evaluation

Assessment Philosophy

Growth-Focused Evaluation: Emphasis on improvement and effort over innate talent

60% Formative: Daily work, practice exercises, participation
40% Summative: Major projects and portfolio demonstrations

Key Assessment Criteria:

Technical skill development
Understanding of art elements
Creative problem-solving
Growth and effort demonstrated
STEAM connections understanding

Portfolio Requirements

Essential Components:

Line Studies: 5 pieces showing variety and control
Shape/Form Work: 5 pieces demonstrating understanding
Color Applications: 5 pieces with color theory
Texture/Value Studies: 5 pieces showing techniques
Space Demonstrations: 3 pieces with depth
Reflection Writings: Weekly self-assessments

Total Portfolio Target: 23+ finished pieces plus reflections

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Assessment Tools

Start Week 2 Lessons