Watertown Middle School, Spring 2014

Stevie Rachmuth 7th Grade Art Surrealism Mixed-Media Collage Project

Surrealism Unit Plan 1. Demographics of students: Mixed demographics: including Caucasian/white, African American/black, Asian, Middle Eastern (Asia), etc. Watertown, MA residents; multicultural student body. Lesson Topic: a. Surrealism: students will be introduced to the genre of Surrealism and its art historical roots. b. Through discussion, as well as from notes provided on a PowerPoint and on a hard-copy handout, we will establish what constitutes visual Surrealism and its possible meanings individual to an artist. c. The project objective is to create a mixed-media Surrealist collage on 12x18 white paper using magazine/newspaper cutouts, as well as drawn elements from colored pencils. Big Idea: This mixed-media, collage project is the first formal composition of the trimester and the second assignment. The lesson allows students to build upon existing scissor/cutting skills that they have starting off and practice new colored pencil techniques. The overall focus of the 7th grade curriculum at WMS is 2-Dimensional art; this lesson works well existing school fine arts standards and materials on-hand. Students will apply skills, such as precise cutting and colored pencil value techniques, in subsequent lessons and on projects throughout the trimester. Essential Questions: 1. What is a 2-Dimensional composition versus 3-Dimensional art? 2. Why is craftsmanship a key ingredient in successful and enjoyable art production? 3. How can words be used to constructively inquire/wonder about a piece of art? How is art visually analyzed, both written and spoken? 4. What is Surrealism? What is a mixed-media project? What is a collage? 4. Objectives: 1) Knowledge outcomes: a. 1.1: Use a variety of materials and media, for example: collage cutouts and colored pencils b. 1.10: Use electronic technology for reference and for creating original work c. 2.9: For texture, use and be able to differentiate between surface texture and the illusion of texture (visual texture) d. 2.11: For space and composition, create unified 2D and 3D compositions that demonstrate an understanding of balance, repetition, rhythm, scale, proportion, unity, harmony, and emphasis. Create 2D compositions that give the illusion of 3D space and volume. e. 2.16: Create artwork that demonstrates a purposeful use of the elements and principles of design to convey meaning and emotion f. 2.17: Create artwork that demonstrates facility in selective use of elements and principles of design to establish a personal style g. 4.3: As a class, develop and use criteria for informal classroom discussions about art h. 4.4: Produce work that shows an understanding of the concept of craftsmanship 2) Skill Outcomes: a. Students will learn the importance of craftsmanship within the Art room, similarly to sportsmanship on a playing field, and how it contributes to an enjoyable, productive workplace. b. Students will learn how to efficiently search for collage cutouts within a large magazine, including how to narrow their ideas on a consistent theme or subject matter. c. Students will observe a demonstration on how to cut out an illustration from a page with ease and without risking an unfortunate tear.

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d. e. Once searching for images, at each table the students will observe another demonstration on colored pencil techniques, including how to achieve consistent value and avoid white streaks. Students will, ultimately, learn how to put together a mixed-media, Surrealist-style composition using magazine/newspaper cutouts and colored pencils as the 2 media.

5. Assessment: 1. Informal, daily classroom discussion to review Surrealism and the projects objectives. 2. Formative, written visual analysis of Rene Magrittes, Time Transfixed, 1938, in groups of two or three. During the introductory presentation, after reviewing the genres definition and three examples, students were given 90 seconds and the prompt: what do you see and what does this painting make you wonder? Groups volunteered their answers and contributed to our discussion. 3. Summative, final composition on 12x18 white paper, trimmed and matted on black construction paper. Rubric (attached) accounts for process, product, craftsmanship, and behavior/safety in the Art room.