Lesson Plan for Year 9 Students in New Zealand: The Arts (Visual Art)

Overview

This lesson is designed for Year 9 students in New Zealand, focusing on visual Art techniques. It will cover various methods of creating texture in artworks. The lesson is aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum under "The Arts" at Level 4.

Duration: 1 hour
Subject: The Arts (Visual Art)
Year Level: Year 9 (Age 13-14)
Number of Students: 12

Learning Objectives

• Understand and apply the concept of texture to create visual interest in art.
• Explore different techniques to create texture in drawing and painting.
• Critically analyse how textures can influence the perception of an artwork.

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with Level 4 of The New Zealand Curriculum - Visual Arts, which specifies that students should "explore a variety of materials and tools and techniques to create artworks."

Resources Needed

• Sketchbooks or art paper
• Pencils, charcoal, and erasers
• Watercolours and brushes
• Mixed media materials (e.g., fabrics, sand, foil)
• Examples of artworks showing varied textures

Lesson Plan

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Objective: Introduce the concept of texture in visual arts.
• Activity: Show examples of artworks from well-known artists that highlight texture. Discuss how texture adds depth and interest to art.

Activity 1: Exploring Textures (15 minutes)

• Objective: Experiment with different drawing tools to create a variety of textures.
• Activity: Students use pencils and charcoal on sketchbook paper to create a range of textures such as smooth, rough, and bumpy. Coach and provide feedback as students work.

Activity 2: Texture with Watercolour Techniques (20 minutes)

• Objective: Learn techniques to create texture using watercolours.
• Activity:
  • Demonstrate techniques like salt texture, sponging, and plastic wrap textures.
  • Students replicate these techniques in their sketchbooks, experimenting with watercolour properties.

Activity 3: Mixed Media Textures (10 minutes)

• Objective: Integrate different materials to create complex textures.
• Activity:
  • Students choose from mixed media materials to add to their watercolour textures.
  • Encourage creativity and exploration of tactile qualities in their compositions.

Conclusion and Discussion (5 minutes)

• Objective: Reflect on the learning objectives and the student's work.
• Activity: Gather the students and discuss what techniques were most effective in conveying different textures. Discuss how these techniques can be used in future artworks.

Assessment

• Review student artworks and provide feedback based on their exploration and application of texture techniques.
• Evaluate understanding through their ability to discuss how they created textures and their choice of materials.

Extended Learning Opportunities

• Ask students to research an artist who uses texture prominently in their works and present their findings and example artworks to the class.
• Encourage students to incorporate texture into their ongoing art projects, considering how it affects viewer perception.

By focusing on practical techniques mixed with critical analysis, students should leave the lesson with a greater understanding of how texture can be used effectively in visual art, as well as skills that they can apply in future artistic endeavours.