Grade 4 - What are the Elements of Art?

Central Idea: Visual artists use the Elements of Art to create and communicate.

In this Unit, the Elements of Art are presented as an alphabet, the building blocks that allow us to decode art and express ourselves artistically in a more conscious way. If in previous Units, the 7 Elements are explored mostly individually: Line, Shape, Form, Colour, Value, Texture, and Space. In this Unit, they work as a set of interconnected pieces that can be combined in multiple ways.

Before the Unit's content is shared, students engage in a provocation activity. Each student receives a bag with different materials. Along with these materials, they will also find the following sentence: These are the ingredients with which art is made. It is up to the chef to add originality, creativity, and knowledge to create. At first, the students seem a little lost and even confused by the word chef, but soon the exploration starts. This is a strong provocation that allows in a very objective way to create a context for the discussion and unpack the Central Idea: Visual artists use the Elements of Art to create and communicate.

The discussion is guided by the following questions:

- Can you find a connection between cooking ingredients and art supplies?

- Can you find a connection between a chef and an artist?

- What are the Elements of Art?

- What is the purpose of the Elements of Art?

- How do artists use the Elements of Art?

- Why is it important to learn about the Elements of art?

After a moment of student inquiry about how different artists explore the Elements of Art, there is a need to put the new knowledge into practice. This first phase has a more structured nature and functions as an investigation that is recorded as a folding book.

The printmaking techniques are a medium rich in creative possibilities that offer students a renewed challenge in the middle of the Unit. Students are guided through a series of printmaking experiences focused on exploring the Elements, as well as a discussion of compositional principles such as the balance between positive and negative space.

The exploration of the printmaking process is such an exciting moment that students seem to forget the focus on the Elements of Art. At first, the elements may even be put aside. The important is that students become familiar with materials, tools, processes and creative possibilities so that they are able to make informed decisions about their work.

Following this exploratory stage, students are challenged to create different prints where they showcase their understanding of the properties of various Elements of Art. A peer-feedback session takes place to support students' reflection on the ideas explored so far. The feedback is guided through the following questions:

- What art elements are you using?

- What properties of the Elements are you exploring in your work?

- What is the connection between the illustration you created and the elements you used?

One of the most used techniques in printmaking is the carving technique. This is a process that involves the use of specific instruments. The carving technique basically consists of using sharp tools to extract areas of solid material, most commonly a linoleum, rubber or wood slab.

This technique allows for a wide range of creative solutions, from simple line patterns to elaborate compositions involving multiple overlapping carving layers, such as “The Great Wave” by the Japanese artist Hokusai. It is important to establish links between the learning that takes place in the classroom with the work of renowned artists. These connections add relevance and purpose to the learning.

It is important to spend some time on the correct use of these instruments. It is advisable to use child-friendly carving tools and, if possible, extra help from adults in the room to support the students. It should be noted that the carving technique is not a knowledge or essential skill in Primary Art. If favourable conditions are not met, there are other equally exciting printmaking techniques and processes.