Instructional Unit Plan

The NJASCD Common Core Standards Curriculum Project

Curriculum Design Components

Content Area: Visual Arts Grade(s) 9-12

Unit Plan Title: Elements and Principles of Art and Design
Anchor Standard
1.1 The Creative Process: All students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements and principles that
govern the creation of works of art in dance, music, theatre, and visual art.

Overview/Rationale
In this two week Art Fundamentals unit, students will learn the fundamental guidelines of art which include the
seven elements of art, which include line, shape, space, form, texture, color, and value, and the seven principles
of design which include balance, emphasis, pattern/repetition, proportion, rhythm/movement, unity/harmony,
and variety. Throughout the two weeks, students will be able to identify, define, and create artwork based on
the elements and principles of art and design. After watching videos daily that help to describe each element
and principle as well as give examples, students will be able to develop their creativity and apply the
knowledge of the elements and principles through daily workshop activities that assist in applying these
techniques. At the completion of the two weeks, students will complete a worksheet that combines each
element to a principle to show understanding of the application of these skills. Students will also take a
multiple choice exam to assess understanding of the content. Furthermore, the application of the elements and
principles will be applied and assessed in each project that the students create for the totality of the semester.
Standard(s)
NJCCCS – Visual and Performing Arts
 1.1.2.D.1 – Identify the basic elements of art and principles of design in diverse types of artwork.
 1.1.2.D.2 – Identify elements of art and principles of design in specific works of art and explain how they
are used.
 1.1.5.D.1 – Identify elements of art and principles of design that are evident in everyday life.
 1.3.P.D.1 – Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use and care of art materials and tools.
 1.3.P.D.3 – Use vocabulary to describe various art forms (e.g., photographs, sculpture), artists (e.g.
illustrator, sculptor, photographer), and elements in the visual arts.
 1.3.P.D.4 – Demonstrate a growing ability to represent experiences, thoughts, and ideas through a variety
of age-appropriate materials and visual art media using memory, observation, and imagination.
 1.3.P.D.5 – Demonstrate planning, persistence, and problem-solving skills while working independently,
or with others, during the creative process.
  1.3.2.D.1 – Create two- and three-dimensional works of art using the basic elements of color, line, shape,
form, texture, and space, as well as a variety of art mediums and application methods.
 1.3.2.D.3 – Employ basic verbal and visual art vocabulary to demonstrate knowledge of the materials,
tools, and methodologies used to create and tell visual stories.
 1.3.2.D.4 – Explore the use of a wide array of art mediums and select tools that are appropriate to the
production of works of art in a variety of art media.
 1.3.2.D.5 – Create works of art that are based on observations of the physical world and that illustrate
how art is part of everyday life, using a variety of art mediums and art media.
 1.3.8.D.1 – Incorporate various art elements and the principles of balance, harmony, unity, emphasis,
proportion, and rhythm/movement in the creation of two- and three- dimensional artworks, using a broad
array of art media and art mediums to enhance the expression of creative ideas (e.g., perspective, implied
space, illusionary depth, value, and pattern).
Technology Standard(s) Interdisciplinary Standard(s)
NJCCCS – Technology NJCCCS – 21st Century Life and Careers
 8.1.5.A.1 – Select and use the appropriate digital tools  CRP4 – Communicate clearly and
and resources to accomplish a variety of tasks including effectively and with reason.
solving problems.  CRP8 – Utilize critical thinking to
 8.1.P.C.1 – Collaborate with peers by participating in make sense of problems and persevere
interactive digital games or activities. in solving them.
 CRP11 – Use technology to enhance
productivity.
NJCCCS – English Language Arts
 NJSLSA.R7 – Integrate and evaluate
content presented in diverse media
and formats, including visually and
quantitatively, as well as in words.

Essential Question(s)

 How do I use the elements of art and principles of design to create effective artworks?
 How are the elements and principles seen in our daily life?

Enduring Understandings

 Understanding the elements of art and principles of design provide the tools for visual expression.
 Being able to identify the elements of art and principles of design in any given piece of art.
In this unit plan, the following 21st Century themes and skills are addressed.

21 s t Century Themes 21 s t Century Skills

X Global Awareness E, T, A Creativity and Innovation

X Environmental Literacy E, T Critical Thinking and Problem
Solving
Health Literacy E Communication
Civic Literacy E Collaboration
Financial, Economic, Business, and
Entrepreneurial Literacy
Student Learning Targets/Objectives
 SWBAT identify and define the seven elements of art (line, shape, space, form, value, color, and texture)
and the seven principles of design (balance, unity/harmony, variety, proportion, emphasis,
pattern/repetition, and rhythm/movement).
 SWBAT discuss and describe how the elements of art and principles of design are used in art.
 SWBAT sketch examples for each element and principle in daily class workshops.
 SWBAT verbally compare and contrast the elements and principles in daily class discussions.
 SWBAT critique their own artwork verbally to ensure the proper use of the elements and principles.
 SWBAT identify elements and principles seen in daily life and used in other artworks.
 SWBAT create artwork combining each element to a principle using the elements of art and principles of
design to ensure understanding of the application of the elements and principles.
Assessments

 Pre and Formative: At the beginning of the unit, students will be verbally asked true/false questions
regarding facts about the elements of art and principles of design in a group discussion facilitated by the
teacher. Assessment is evaluated by participation in discussion.
 Summative: At the completion of the unit, students will be verbally asked the same true/false questions
as the pre-assessment in a group discussion facilitated by the teacher. Furthermore, the students will
complete a worksheet at the end of instruction of all the elements and principles that combines an
element and a principle to show visual comprehension of the application of the elements and principles.
The students will also be administered a thirty-four question multiple choice test that contains the
information on the true/false questions regarding the information learned about the elements of art and
principles of design.
 Other assessment measures: The students will work daily to correctly complete each workshop in
regard to the element or principle that is being discussed before moving on to the next workshop.
Student comprehension of each element and principle is evaluated daily through verbal discussion and
checks for understanding with the teacher and the successful completion of the workshop activity.
 Furthermore, evaluation will also be conducted through the students’ abilities to follow instruction and
behave appropriately in class. Students will use Kahoot quiz activity in class to prepare for the
summative test.
Teaching and Learning Actions
 YouTube videos discussing each element and principle of art and
Instructional Strategies design
D
 Handout of each element and principle with vocabulary,
definitions, and image examples
 Teacher modeling/demonstration at front of class with step-by-
step instruction
 Monitor and assess learning
 Increase motivation by allowing students choice images for
drawing
 Teach and use self-monitoring strategy
 Opportunities to transfer skills and ideas from one lesson to
 another
 Build meaningful connections between skills and real-life
situations

 Viewing of YouTube video

Activities  Discussion of vocabulary on handouts
D
 Practice example of element or principle on handout
 Practice applying element or principle in daily drawing activity
on separate paper
 Practice applying one element to one principle on grid handout
after instruction of all of the elements and principles
 Kahoot quiz
 Videos of application of elements and principles
Experiences
 Creating choice drawing using each element and principle
D
 Creating grid application of each element and principle
 Participating in Kahoot quiz
Resources
 https://www.theartofed.com/
 https://www.incredibleart.org/
 https://www.pinterest.com/

Suggested Time Frame: Approximately two weeks of 80 minute class periods.

D- Indicates differentiation at the Lesson Level.