To incorporate 'Writing Across the Curriculum' as well as our previous all school goal of implementing inferencing, I created what students know as 'Artwork of the week'. In their sketchbooks, what is really a folder with prongs that we put class handouts, sketches, worksheets, etc., in, students have an 'Artwork of the week' sheet for each week of class as well as a filled out example one based on the Mona Lisa. Basically it is a worksheet that has 5 categories, one for each day of the week, were students are to make educated guess about a certain work of art that would be hanging up all week; somewhat like a bell ringer activity to be completed right when they arrive to class. The first category of 'Artwork of the week' to be filled out is ‘Inferences about the Work of Art’ which asks such questions as who the artist is, what mediums/tools were used, style of art, etc. The second category is ‘Responding to the Work of Art’ where students are to list the elements and principals seen, what they actually see in the work of art, their reactions, etc. The third category is ‘Relating to the Work of Art’ which is when students are to make connections to their everyday lives, i.e. a book/song, a movie/play, a dance/game, and an invention/historical event that the work of art reminds them of. The fourth category is ‘Putting it All Together’ where I give the students the real information about the work, such as the title, time period, interesting fact, etc. The final section, to be completed on the last day, is a blank frame where students are to create a quick sketch of the work of art so that when they refer back to this worksheet, they can visually see which work of art they were describing. All in all, I like reading the responses because the connections they make are often ones I have never thought of; i.e. when looking at a pointillism paint, one student said it reminded him of the game Twister!
MrsImpey 02/11/2013 at 05:41pm
I tried to download your document and it wouldn't let me...don't know if it's a glitch on my end or the upload...I really like this idea though! I'm thinking about incorperating sketch books next year and this would be an awesome addition to my plans!
nanmag 02/18/2013 at 09:59am
I also could not download your document. Here is copy of what I created in response. New to this site so maybe I could upload a document?
WRITING ABOUT THE ARTWORK OF THE WEEK
On separate piece of paper, complete one category each day this week about the artwork posted on the board. Only spend about 10 minutes at the beginning of the class. If you need more time, start again on next day or take home as homework. SAVE ALL 5 AND TURN IN ON FRIDAY IN YOUR FOLDER.
*DON’T FORGET TO PUT YOUR NAME ON EACH DAY’S WORK.
DAY 1: INFERENCES ABOUT THE WORK OF ART
1. WHO IS THE ARTIST? WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS ARTIST?
2. WHAT MEDIUM/TOOLS DO YOU BELIEVE WERE USED? WHY DO YOU THINK THIS?
3. WHAT IS THE STYLE OF ART? (example: realism, impressionism, cubism, expressionism,) WHY DO YOU THINK THIS? DEFEND YOUR REASONING WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO WHAT YOU SEE.
DAY 2: RESPONDING TO THE WORK OF ART
1. LIST AND USE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE LOCATION OF ANY ELEMENT OF ART THAT YOU RECOGNIZE (example: In the Mona Lisa the shading on her face shows a range of dark and light values.)
2. LIST AND USE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN ARE SHOWN IN THIS ARTWORK (example: The emphasis or center of interest in the Mona Lisa is on her face. This is created by making her face near the center, larger and lighter than all that surrounds it.)
DAY 3: MAKING CONNECTIONS
Make up a story that could be written about this artwork (start with a summary or outline a plot, place in time, what happens next or just happened)
DAY 4: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Read facts about the artist, medium. How did you do? Compare your original thoughts to this information in a short paragraph.
DAY 5: DRAW A SKETCH OF THE ARTWORK
Make a sketch to help you remember the important elements of this artwork.
paintpeace 02/18/2013 at 02:09pm
These are great ideas. I' also like the idea of the interactive sketchbook which they can add these worksheets to.
jbucher 05/04/2013 at 03:12am
Can you try to edit your submission and download your worksheet example again? I would love to see it? Nanmag, thank you for your extension of this idea!
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