Exploring Voice in Art

Overview

This 60-minute lesson focuses on how visual artists convey 'voice' through the use of design elements and principles to communicate societal values and diverse human experiences. Students will engage with critiques of professional artworks and create their own expressive designs that reflect a message to a particular audience.

Grade: 7
Class size: 11 students
Strand: Design
Curriculum Alignment: Newfoundland and Labrador Visual Arts 7 (2023)
Target: Use of ‘Voice’ in artworks
Indicators:

• Critiquing artworks reflecting societal values
• Observing diversity in human experiences through art
• Critiquing professional artworks
• Describing artists’ use of design elements and principles

Curriculum Reference

• General Curriculum Outcome (Visual Arts 7):
  Students will use elements and principles of design to create and respond to visual artworks that communicate meaning.
• Specific Learning Outcomes:
  • VA7.2 - Analyse how artists employ design elements and principles to express voice and meaning in a work of art.
  • VA7.3 - Critique artworks that reflect societal values and diversity of experiences.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Critique professional artworks focusing on how design elements/principles communicate societal values and voice.
2. Explain how artists represent diverse human experiences in their art.
3. Create an artwork that uses selected elements and principles of design to convey a meaningful message to a specific audience.

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Materials Needed

• Images of professional artworks (printed or projected) that reflect societal values and diversity
• Sketchbooks or drawing paper
• Pencils, markers, coloured pencils, and rulers
• Copies of excerpts from Design Basics Index by Jim Krause, focusing on elements & principles of design
• Projector or display screen
• Change Constant poster series (print excerpts for reference)
• Whiteboard and markers

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Connection (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion: "What does 'voice' mean in art?"
• Introduce the idea that artists use design elements (line, shape, colour, texture, space, form, value) and principles (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity) to express messages or societal values.
• Show 2-3 professional artworks (choose diverse examples, e.g., Indigenous art, social justice posters, animations from The Animation Bible) that powerfully convey voice.
• Have students share initial thoughts on the 'voice' and message presented.

2. Guided Critique (15 minutes)

• Model how to critique an artwork using these key questions:
  • What societal value or human experience is portrayed?
  • Which elements and principles stand out? How do they support the message?
  • Who do you think the intended audience is?
• Working in pairs, students select one artwork from the provided images to critique using these questions.
• Circulate and support pair discussions, encouraging reference to design terminology from Design Basics Index.

3. Reflection and Group Share (10 minutes)

• Each pair shares highlights of their critique with the class.
• Teacher notes key observations on the whiteboard, focusing on diverse ways artists express voice and societal values through design.

4. Creative Exploration (20 minutes)

• Task: Students create a design that uses chosen elements and principles of design to communicate a message about a societal value or human experience important to them.
• Provide access to Change Constant posters as inspiration for themes (e.g., change, truth, community).
• Encourage students to think about their audience (peers, community, younger children).
• Remind students to plan composition using principles like emphasis or contrast to strengthen their voice.

5. Wrap-up & Homework (5 minutes)

• Quick gallery walk: students display their works briefly and describe the design choices made to express their message.
• Homework: Write a short paragraph explaining how the elements and principles used help communicate their artwork’s voice.

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Assessment Strategies

• Formative: Observation of student participation in critiques and group sharing.
• Summative: Evaluation of their created artwork and accompanying reflection paragraph, assessing understanding of design elements/principles and ability to convey voice.
• Use a simple rubric aligned with curriculum indicators assessing:
  • Effective use of design elements/principles
  • Clarity of communicated voice/message
  • Critical thinking in reflection

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategy
Visual Learners	Use of visual examples and graphic organizers showing elements and principles
ELL Students	Provide vocabulary sheets; pair with peers for discussion; use visuals to support concepts
Students with Fine Motor Challenges	Allow use of digital drawing software or collage instead of detailed drawing
Advanced Learners	Challenge to integrate multiple principles or experiment with complex compositions

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research and present on a professional artist from Newfoundland and Labrador who uses design elements/principles to express societal themes.
• Create a mini animation flipbook (referencing The Animation Bible) incorporating principles like movement and rhythm to further express voice in art.
• Develop a ‘Change Constant’-inspired poster series addressing various social issues, experimenting with typography and mixed media.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did students engage critically with artworks and vocabulary?
• How effectively did students connect design principles to the concept of ‘voice’?
• Which differentiation strategies worked well or need adjustment?
• How can future lessons deepen understanding of cultural diversity through visual arts?

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This lesson plan carefully aligns with Newfoundland and Labrador’s curriculum competencies and objectives while engaging students creatively and critically with the concept of voice in art, amplifying their understanding of diverse societal values through hands-on, relevant learning.