Unit 1 PYP-How we express ourselves (Language)
Grade 3 students began our year by exploring their central idea “Language is a tool for communication and self-expression”.
Grade 3 students inquired into the forms language takes, how language is used to communicate and for self-expression and looks at how different literature reflects culture.
The big concepts we explored were of Reflection (how do we know), form (what does it look like?) and Perspective (What are the points of view?) in different ways.
*Reflection :
Activity: To further understand the concept of reflection, students were asked to sort different pictures of artworks into groups which showed reflection and no reflection.
Some children took this a step further by realising that reflection could be literal or introspective (to think about one’s own behaviour or art making/ to reflect upon your own art making).
*Form:
By connecting to activities already completed in their classes, grade 3 students were able to talk about what language was like, what is looked like? what is sounded like? As we are in an international context we also discussed the different languages spoken in our classes.
Activity: Students completed a Graffiti Carousel activity to open up a discussion about whether or not art had it’s own language.See student’s responses below.
*Perspective:
Activity: Students completed a picture sort activity to help them to understand that every single artwork could be made from a distinct perspective. Students were then asked to draw their own sketches in their art books to help remind them of the meaning of this concept.
The student’s next challenge was to create a collage in a 1 hour lesson with little guidance other than their collage should depict language (see our examples below). Students completed a self reflection verbally, talking about what they found easier and difficult.
Our next step was to complete a guided collage where I lead the students in a 3 part collage making process, background, mid ground and top layer.Students were given a lot of freedom-see their artwork below.
Students then made another collage of their choice relating to language and were asked to take the feedback they had been given by their peers and teacher into account.
It was quite surprising to see the students reflect on their two pieces and to discuss what they had learned.
Their Summative Assessment piece was to create a final collage piece using the Art App, MOLDIV. Students were asked to compare one of their own hands on collage pieces with a piece created using MOLDIV.
Media: painting, drawing/sketching, graphic design, collage
Elements of Art: line, shape, colour, space
Unit 2 PYP-How the world works (Changing Earth)
Grade 3 students jumped into their stand alone unit focused on Andy Goldsworthy. The central idea “Artistic expression can be inspired by and created with nature.”
Grade 3 students will observing the natural environment closely, investigate the purpose of shape, form, line and pattern in nature, inquire about how Andy Goldsworthy is inspired by and uses natural environments to create his artwork and experiment and review how materials connect and interact.
The big concepts we explored were of Reflection (how do we know?), form (what does it look like?) and Connection (?) in different ways.
*Reflection:
Activity:
*Form:
Activity:
*Connection:
Activity:
Media: painting, drawing/sketching, graphic design, collage
Elements of Art: line, form, shape, pattern
Unit 3 PYP-Sharing the planet (Adaptation)
The central idea for this unit is “over time, living things need to adapt in order to survive”.
This is an inquiry into, the concept of adaptation, the circumstances that lead to adaptation and how plants, animals and humans adapt or respond to environmental conditions.
Our main Concepts we explored were: Change, Connection (How is it connected to other things?), Causation (Why is it like it is?)
*Change:
Activity:
*Connection:
Activity:
*Causation:
Activity:
Media: painting, drawing/sketching, sculpture, digital art, photography
Elements of Art: line, shape, colour, space, form, texture
