Primary Unit - Graphics

This project may be completed by the following students:

Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd Grade Elementary Media Arts Students.

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Lessons

1. Graphic Design Lesson

   1. Objective: Students will create visual artworks of their own design to learn how to properly use computer input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and the interfaces of a variety of visual arts programs and websites.

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   2. Grading Rubric (Note, these lessons are taught in the first half of the Primary course. The rubric takes this into account.):
      

      5 Points	Student logged into the computer and created a picture using the designated website.
      4 Points	Student persisted at logging into the computer.
      3 Points	Student tried a few times to log in, but then stopped.
      0 Points	Student made no attempt to log in.

   3. Each Graphic Design lesson will make use of a new program or website for students to use to make digital visual art.
      • The tool being used will be in the lesson name for that day, both in the class announcements and in the online grade book.
      • A complete list of tools that will be used can be found over on the right side of this page.
   4. While the tools will change, the structure of each lesson will remain the same.
      1. Students enter the room and are shown the graphics tool for that day.
      2. Students log into the computers.
         • Early in the course, this will take more time.
         • Mr. Smith does not type passwords for the students, as learning to do this themselves is an important part of the curriculum. (Mr. Smith has been known to point out the next letter on the keyboard a few times.)
         • Help is provided for those who need it, but "help" is not the same as "doing the work for the student."
         • Historically, this policy has led to all students eventually managing to log in without assistance. How long this takes depends on the student.
      3. Students open the computer's web browser or the installed graphics program.
         • Web browsers in the computer lab have this website set to be the homepage.
         • When using web based tools, students are shown how to navigate to the day's announcements, which will include a link to that day's tool. Because this website is the default page, this is usually no more than two clicks of the mouse.
      4. Students create an artwork using the introduced tool.
         • These are introductory lessons, where learning through play is a large part of the experience. Further direction may be given in wonderings or suggestions based on what the student has created so far.
         • Later on in the course, students may be given a specific goal to achieve using a tool they've used before. This is to reinforce and add to skills previously learned.
         • As a "wrap-up" activity of the unit, students may be given a choice of tools to use, where they may create art using their favorite off of the list.
      5. Students showcase ("show off") their creations to the teacher and the rest of the class. This is frequently done throughout the lesson as opposed to only at the end.
      6. Students shut down the computers and line up to return to their classroom.

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Useful Resources

• Graphic Design Websites

  (None of the included tools require a fee to use. Student data is never stored online by the sites linked below, though some will save data locally so a student may see the art they were working on previously.)
  1. Piskel - A pixel animation website.
  2. Sketchpad - A robust website that allows for drawing, painting, and stickers.
  3. Method Draw - A vector graphics tool that prepares students for more complex art lessons in higher grades.
  4. Voxels - Build 3d sculpture with cubes, or "volumetric pixels."
  5. Pixel Art Maker - A pixel art website with a much larger canvas than Piskel but without the animation tools.

• Installed Programs

  (These links are here in case the student wishes to use the program at home. No programs require a fee to download or use.)
  • TuxPaint - A free art program with lots of tools that can be installed on just about anything that isn't a school Chromebook.

Standards

• Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
  • Enduring Understanding: Media arts ideas, works, and processes are shaped by the imagination, creative processes, and by experiences, both within and outside of the arts.
  • Essential Question: How do media artists generate ideas? How can ideas for media arts productions be formed and developed to be effective and original?
  • Indicators:
    • I:P-2:1: Discover multiple ideas for media artworks through brainstorming and improvising. Express and share ideas for media artworks through guided exploration.
  • Expectations:
    • E:P-2:1: Collaborate with others in a whole class setting, with teacher guidance, to create a visual representation of formulated ideas.
• Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
  • Enduring Understanding: The forming, integration, and refinement of aesthetic components, principles, and processes creates purpose, meaning, and artistic quality in media artworks.
  • Essential Question: What is required to produce a media artwork that conveys purpose, meaning, and artistic quality? How do media artists improve/refine their work?
  • Indicators:
    • I:P-2:1: In guided practice, make, capture, and form media arts content, freely for expression and meaning, in media arts productions.
    • I:P-2:2: Freely and in guided practice, attempt expressive effects and make changes to the content, form, or presentation.
  • Expectations:
    • E:P-2:1: Collaborate with others to capture the same content in multiple ways.
    • E:P-2:2: Collaborate with others to make judgments and decisions on media production to act on creative ideas.

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