Middle School Art Lessons

Teaching Art to Middle School Students (11-14yrs)

Middle School students are comfortable with inventing new images and are flexible with changing visual symbols.

They are comfortable working with a variety of media but are critical of their own work and the work of others. They can often become discouraged with their efforts and may lose interest in art if not redirected.

Emphasis should be on hands-on studio activities and enhancing visual literacy.

Grade 6, 7 and 8 Emphasis:

Establish self-esteem and self-confidence.
Refine motor skills and sharpen intuitive abilities.
Expand aesthetic awareness and develop aesthetic judgement.
Increase exposure to art history. Analyze a work of art by comparing it to another from a different time or culture.
Discuss elements of art and principles of design while identifying aspects that contribute to the effectiveness of art.
Use personal and cultural experiences as subject matter.
Analyze how technical and aesthetic elements contribute to the ideas communicated in works of art.
State preferences for works of art based on detailed analysis.
Describe how a society or culture influences the arts.
Create art by selecting and using elements of art and technical skills to achieve a desired effect.
Analyze works of art.
Explore areas of artistic interest in greater depth as they develop their own critical and problem solving skills.
Use a variety of materials to create art.
Describe the benefits of gaining skills in the arts.