Check out the complete units below. I follow the Understanding by Design approach to writing units, and you will find the unit plan, the individual lessons and assessment and some exemplars. For underclassmen (grades 9 – 10) I use the National Core Arts Standards and for grades 11 – 12 I use the IBDP Visual Arts assessment criteria. Feel free to implement in its entirety or in part in your classes. Don’t forget to cite your source: Mr. Allen is cool
Line: Straight and Narrow?A sixth grade MYP unit bout the primary element of art - line! It includes expressive drawing, pen and ink, and East Asian calligraphy and is a great way to get excited about art - Check it out!
Line: Straight and Narrow Moody Scenes and Vibey PlacesA grade seven MYP unit where we look at how place contributes to feeling and we study perspective drawing and pen and ink art. All four assessment criteria are assessed and it's a great first unit to begin discussing narrative (which is what I do in grade seven.
Moody Scenes and Vibey Places AbstractionA grade eight MYP unit which teaches about formal analysis, color theory and looks at the way artists abstract across time and places. We draw, use acrylic paint, and even East Asian ink and wash. A great point to start. brainy journey into visual arts!
Abstraction Functional Ceramics Grade EightA functional ceramics students I wrote for grade eight, MYP 3. it teaches pinching, slab construction, throwing, and coil building and asks the students to create a set of objects. Change is the main topic as student examine their process through the creation of personal work.
Functional Ceramics Filmmaking 01CIn this MYP 2 unit student make short films where they learn about storyboarding, developing ideas, using a camera, camera angles, and editing. The unit is focused on engaging with the filmmaking process and working in teams.
Filmmaking 01 |
Drawing Emotion and ReasonThis unit is the first I teach for the Art I class. It explores using technical and intuitive methods of drawing, a wide variety of drawing materials, and is intended to be the foundational exercise which underpins units for drawing, printmaking, and art history. Give it a try for yourself and your students!
Drawing Emotion and Reason Tell Me a Story
This unit, written for seventh grade, is about different ways we use narrative in making art. Along the way the students get lessons in perspective, the cannon of proportions for the face and body, closure, photography, and film making. Adaptable for any grade level, I think. Have a look and use it in whole or part. Just don't forget to cite your source, Mr. Allen is Cool!
Tell Me a Story Element Eight
This unit, written in the MYP format for eighth grade is always the first unit of the term. It covers the principles of art rhythm, and unity with variety. It also reviews some and discovers more complex colour theory, like discord and tetrads. Feel free to use it at will and don't forget to cite your source!
Element Eight Diploma Visual Arts
I always liked saying "Diploma Visual Arts" rather than the more colloquial IB Art or DP Art. Not sure why. Anyway it deserves its own page. I am aware that as of this writing (summer 2024) the program is undergoing review and may change soon but I am sure there is some transferable items here for the time being.
Diploma Visual Arts Element SixA grade six unit written with the MYP framework. It teachers students about material and elements of art which will give them success in the art classroom in the other units.
Element Six Meta Modern Film MakingStudents expand their filmmaking skills by making a public service announce in a classic style stealing techniques from 21st Century filmmakers. It builds on the creative process of filmmaking from grade seven.
Meta Modern Filmmaking |