Class 2
September 27, 2019
Exploration 1: Sketchbook Introduction, Part 1
During this class, we will be teaching students the importance of using a sketchbook to develop ideas and think through their own creative process. This is important because keeping track of their ideas can help students grow as artists, it can help them understand where they started and where they are now. This is something that is important to start at a young age because that can help them grow throughout their artistic development. We will also introduce the Wonder Lab teachers by sharing our artwork.
Essential Understanding:
Artists and designers use sketchbooks as part of their creative process to think through and develop their ideas.
Learning Target:
After the introduction, students will be able to generate ideas for their sketchbook cover, by talking in groups about their ideas, and then beginning to work. After discussion, students will be able to understand why artists and designers use sketchbooks in their creative process, as measured through their contributions to the discussion.
Key Concepts:
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Students will explore how to generate ideas by talking about them to others and by writing them down.
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Students will use observation skills to start to connect the artist to the art they make.
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After students think through their ideas, they will be able to choose and work with a medium or a variety of mediums to create their cover.
Skills:
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Ideation
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Collaboration
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Reflection​
Documentation
Studio Habit: Observation
The Wonderlab teachers brought examples of our artwork and the students used their observation skills to try and guess who made what. Students then shared the reasons why they made their choices with the class and their comments demonstrated an understanding of the possible motivations an artist might have in making art.
"I think this was yours because it matches your jacket, they are both dark colors."
"I pictured you making it."
"You have on brighter colored clothes, and this piece is brighter, so I thought it was yours."
"Your hair is curly, and this piece is curly."
Studio Habits: Envision/Express
Why do artists and designers use sketchbooks?
"To draw out their ideas"
"To sketch"
"To collect random stuff"
"I'm drawing flowers to represent my family members"
"Why"
"Because I love my family"
"What do the colors represent"
"I'm trying to use each of my family members favorite colors"
"Right now I'm just drawing the outlines of everyone and then drawing the main guy in the middle and I'm just gonna draw a bunch of cool creatures."
"Why"
"Cause I like drawing cool creatures, I like making just weird abominations"
"What's your favorite kind of creature?"
"I have to say I like making sea creatures a lot, like maybe theres a underwater deer that tricks you into going into its mouth or whatever"
Designing Sketchbook Covers
"I'm drawing all my favorite things, my favorite word, my favorite animal, and my favorite music. My favorite music is 60s and 80s music, but not 70s music as much"
"Why did you decide to draw this?"
"It reminds me of all my favorite things"
"What I'm doing is writing all the people that are important to me, and I'm just decorating it so it doesn't look like it's really bland"
"Why do you want to put these people on your sketchbook?"
"They are important to me, most of them are members of my family and then these two at the bottom are my friends"