Description of the Unit –

Students will use a variety of artistic techniques to create a bright, vivid and wildly textured magnified dragon eye. When you look through the students’ dragon eyes below, note how remarkably unique each one is: it speaks to the fact that by 5th grade, many students are really beginning to hone in on their personal artistic styles!

Activity statement –

To many fifth graders no creature is more exciting to imagine and draw as the mythical dragon. In this unit we will review previously learned concepts, such as form, value, texture, contrast, pattern and emphasis, as well practice techniques such as shading, layering and burnishing, in order to create a boldly magnified dragon eye. To encourage students’ imaginations, I like for them to have access to different media, with sharpies, markers and oil pastels offering the most exciting effects. Also,

Goals – Students should…

Understand:

• The meaning of the following concepts: form, value, texture, contrast, pattern and emphasis

Know:

• How to use the following techniques: layering, shading and burnishing.

Be able to:

• Complete one “magnified” dragon eye

Resources and materials –

• Heavyweight white paper
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Sharpeners
• Sharpies (fine and broad tip)
• Multicolored markers
• Oil pastels
• Samples of patterns (optional)

Questions –

• How can you use colors to create texture?
• How can you use colors to show three-dimensional form?
• How do you use black and white with color to express three-dimensional form?
• How can patterns be used in your dragon eye?
• How can you create a focal point to draw viewers to the center of the eye?
• What can you do to express emotion in the dragon’s eye? explain.

Evaluation – Did students:

• Use specific coloring techniques to express texture and form?
• Understand how to create focal interest and contrast?

Informal:

• Student questions
• Group discussions
• Oral responses to essential questions
• At least one finished piece
• Elaboration and risk-taking

I love how strikingly different each of these eyes is!

• 5th grade
• mixed media