SUBJECT: Visual Arts GRADE LEVEL: 1

UNIT: Expression Through Color

RATIONALE:
Color is one of the building blocks artists use to create art, and students must understand the
language of art in order to understand the world of art. Colors are all around us and can
invoke feelings, alter perceptions and cause powerful reactions. Color is a powerful form of
communication and it plays an important role in the world which we live.

The color unit will address a multitude of grade level one content standards from all three
cognitive and creative processes categories, such as explore and describe how a selected art
object was made (2PE), identify and point out visual art and design elements and principles in
their own artworks and in those of others using art vocabulary (4PE), demonstrate beginning
skill and craftsmanship in the use of art materials and tools (1PR), engage in artmaking to
produce a work that combines music, movement or dramatic play with visual art (6PR), share
their artmaking processes with peers (3RE) and describe how elements and principles
communicate meaning in works of art (7RE). The unit will also support grade level standard
progress points, such as form and express opinions about artworks and apply critical and
creative thinking skills to assess and refine their artworks.

UNIT INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the unit, students will use knowledge of art elements (color, line, pattern and
shape) and understanding of the relationships of color (primary, secondary and color mixing)
to create Turtle Color Wheels and Pattern Elephants. By examining Wassily Kandinskys life
and work, students will learn about abstract art and experience how music relates to color.
Students will use summative knowledge to create an Abstract Art Painting, displaying the use
of art elements and color relationships in the abstract style to convey meaning. Students will
complete and receive feedback on self-reflections of their work.

UNIT TOPIC SEQUENCE:

Art element color
Colors of the rainbow ROYGBIV
Primary colors
Geometric and organic shapes
Secondary colors
Color mixing
Color wheel and color relationships
Art element line
Art element pattern
Wassily Kandinskys life and art
Importance of music as it relates to color in Kandinskys art
Art term: Abstract
How color, line, pattern and shapes convey meaning
UNIT MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
Abstract Art Assignment Reflection handout
Abstract Art poster
 Art prints (Sunflowers by Van Gogh, The Tragedy by Picasso, Lentre au Paradis by
Bresil, Orange Red Orange (1957) by Rothko, Composition IV by Kandinsky)
Black permanent markers
CD Player
Color Wheel Poster
Completed Abstract Art assignment
Completed Pattern Elephant example
Completed Turtle Color Wheel Example
Computer
Crayons
Direction cards
Drei Stcke fr Kammerensemble by Arnold Schoenberg (1911)
Elmer by David McKee
Felt poster board
Felt shapes
Kandinskys Artworks Posters
Line Poster
Line/Pattern Handout
Music playlist for studio time
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Oil pastel crayons
Paint cups
Paint trays
Paintbrushes
Paper towels
Pattern Elephant Reflection handout
Pattern poster
Portable whiteboard
Primary Colors poster
Projector
Rainbow Emoji worksheet
Scissors
Shape poster
Tempura paints
The Noisy Paintbox by Barbara Rosenstock
Three Pieces for Chamber Orchestra, movements 1 and 2 (1910)
Video: Wassily Kandinsky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7d6zscZF5I)
Water
Water cups
Watercolor paint
Watercolor paper 12x14
Watercolor paper 8x12
Whiteboard
Whiteboard Markers