4 sessions; 40 minutes per session

Students will be able to...

1. identify and describe the characteristics of ancient Greek pottery

2. explain the functions of Greek pottery.

3. give examples of how Greek and Roman architecture and art influence design today.

4. draw at least three vases with accurate form and proportion, incorporating Greek designs and imagery.

5. demonstrate blending and layering of chalk pastel colors.

6. show shading and modeling of form on a 2-d surface by including shadows on the pots and table.

7. design a composition that shows variation in size and height of the pots and is balanced.

1. Pencil
2. Chalk pastels
3. Sharpie marker
4. Scholastic Art magazine on Greek pottery (or reference materials on Greek pottery)

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Read the Scholastic art magazine issue on Greek pottery, or show a slideshow of images and discuss the characteristics, functions and history of Greek pottery.

2. Use a pencil to draw at least 3 Greek vases. The kids use a reference sheet of vase shapes to draw their vases. I encourage them to include overlapping and to draw vases in a variety of sizes and heights.

3. Lightly color in the vases with chalk pastels. Lay the colors down and then rub in with a tissue or finger. Experiment with layering colors and adding shadows/shading for depth. The kids can choose any colors they would like.

4. Use black Sharpie markers to add designs to the vases. I passed out copies of Greek imagery from Ancient Greek Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive)

Students are assessed in a narrative statement on their end of semester report. Did the student...
1. compose a picture with at least three vases in a variety of sizes/heights?
2. fill the space to create a balanced design?
3. attempt shading and shadows to show depth in their picture?
4. experiment with blending and layering colors with chalk pastels?
5. incorporate designs inspired by ancient Greek imagery?

1.
http://www.ascaniusyci.org/freeactivities/myth2006-3.pdf

2. Handouts from Ancient Greek Designs, by Dover

3. http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resources/curricula/mythology/lesson01.html

You can continue this unit by creating vases from clay or Model Magic.

Visit my blog for more art projects! www.ArtisBasic.com

[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

[K-4] Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

[5-8] Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas

[K-4] Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning

[K-4] Students explore and understand prospective content for works of art

[5-8] Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks

[K-4] Students know that the visual arts have both a history and specific relationships to various cultures

[K-4] Students demonstrate how history, culture, and the visual arts can influence each other in making and studying works of art

[K-4] Students understand there are various purposes for creating works of visual art

[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

Ancient Greece

Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Line, Proportion/Size, Rhythm/Pattern, Space

Chalk, Marker, Pastel

History/Social Studies