8th Grade Art
First Quarter: Drawing/2D Design
Unit Description
Studio Processes/Media
Subject Matter
Formal Properties
Cultural Exemplar
Aesthetic Orientation
Unit 1A (2 week)
Close up contour line
drawing
White drawing paper,
rolling ball pens, pencils
Assorted objects in
the classroom
Line
Works illustrating
linier qualities
Imitationalism
Unit 1B (2 weeks)
Black out illustration
Pages out of a chapter
book, circling words to
make a poem
Poem
Line
shape
Selected works by
Will Ashford
Contextualism
Unit 1C (2 weeks)
Geometric Still Life
Assortment of pencil,
erasers
Still life consisting of
white cones,
spheres, etc.
Line
shape
color
Selected works of
realistic drawings
and paintings
Imitationalism
Unit 1D (3 weeks)
Realistic Pop Can
Drawing
Pencils, colored pencils,
eraser, ruler
Pop cans or any other
beverage container
Line
shape
color value
texture
proportion
Works from Andy
Warhol and other
selected works of
realistic drawings
Imitationalism
Instrumentalism
Second Quarter: Painting/Printmaking
Unit Description
Studio Processes/Media
Subject Matter
Formal Properties
Cultural Exemplar
Aesthetic Orientation
Unit 2A (1 week)
Tempera paint, washing
away layers of paint to
create weathered effect
Sea Creatures
Color
shape
line
texture
Selected abstract
paintings
Formalism
Unit 2B (2 weeks)
Watercolor
Landscape
Watercolor paint,
brushes, sponges
Outdoor landscapes
Color
value
texture
Selections of
paintings by Zoltan
Szabo, J.M.W.
Turner, and Winslow
Homer
Imitationalism
Unit 2C (2 weeks)
Impressionist Fruit
Painting
Acrylic paint, brushes,
pencils
Assortment of fruit
Line
shape
color value
texture
balance
proportion
Paintings by
Cezanne and
Monet
Imitationalism
Unit 2D (2 weeks)
Lino Cut Prints
Printmaking tools,
linoleum blocks, printmaking ink
Students can pick
subject matter
Line
shape
Examples of
well-known prints
by Warhol,
Lichtenstein, and
other printmakers
Formalism
Unit 2E (2 weeks)
Architectural
Cardboard Print
Cardboard, utility knife,
pencil or pen, rubber
cement
Architecture
Line
shape
balance
Examples of
geometric prints
Contextualism
Formalism
Fake Batik
Third Quarter: Sculpture/Ceramics
Unit Description
Studio Processes/Media
Subject Matter
Formal Properties
Cultural Exemplar
Aesthetic Orientation
Unit 3A (2 weeks)
Slab or coil vases
Ceramic tools, things to
make texture, clay
Vase
Line
shape
texture
pattern
space
Interesting ceramic
vases artists have
made over the
years
Formalism
Unit 3B (3 weeks)
Wheel Throwing
Learning to use the
potter’s wheel to throw
mugs
Cups, mugs
Shape
Basic examples of
ceramic cups made
throughout history
Formalism
Unit 3C (2 weeks)
Modern Figure
Sculpture
Wire, tape, paint
Human figure
Line
shape
rhythm
balance
movement
Examples from
artist Alberto
Giacometti
Emotionalism
Formalism
Contextualism
Unit 3D (2 weeks)
Pop Can Animal
Sculpture
Pop cans, wire cutters,
hot glue
Animal of their
choice
Shape
balance
proportion
Examples from
metal sculptures
Formalism
Fourth Quarter: Mixed Media
Unit Description
Studio Processes/Media
Subject Matter
Formal Properties
Cultural Exemplar
Aesthetic Orientation
Unit 4A (3 weeks)
Ripped Paper Collage
Scrapped paper, painted
paper, magazine pages,
acrylic paint
Abstract
composition
Unity color
balance
contrast
texture
Selected works
from Picasso
Formalism
Unit 4B (3 weeks)
Mixed Media Still
Life
Still Life consisting of
collage, drawing, painting
Still life of my choice
Line
shape
color
value
texture balance
unity
emphasis
contrast
Selected works
from Picasso
Formalism
Unit 4C (3 weeks)
Convey a Feeling
With Sculpture
Mixed media objects
Emotion
Line
shape
space
balance
Examples of
modern sculptures
Emotionalism
Formalism
Contextualism