Analysis and Evaluation of an Art Lesson

Kirsten Ledbetter

Art Lesson: Quilt Square

Grade/ Age and Year Art Lesson was Done: First grade, six years old, 2001.

Appropriate/inappropriate for the Developmental Stage because (formal evidence within
work):
(4 to 6 years) The Preschematic
stage is announced by the appearance of
circular images with lines, which seem
to suggest a human or animal figure.
During this stage the schema (the visual
idea) is developed. The drawings show
what the child perceives as most
important about the subject. There is
little understanding of space - objects are
placed in a haphazard way throughout
the picture. The use of color is more
emotional than logical.
(7 to 9 years) The Schematic
stage is easily recognized by the
demonstrated awareness of the concept
of space. Objects in the drawing have a
relationship to what is up and what is
down. A definite base and skyline is
apparent. Items in the drawing are all
spatially related. Colors are reflected as
they appear in nature. Shapes and
objects are easily definable.
Exaggeration between figures (humans
taller than a house, flowers bigger than
humans, family members large and
small) is often used to express strong
feelings about a subject. Another
technique sometimes used is called
"folding over" this is demonstrated when
objects are drawn perpendicular to the
base line. Sometimes the objects appear
to be drawn upside down. Another
Phenomenon is called "X-ray". In an x-
ray picture the subject is depicted as
being seen from the inside as well as the
outside.
(http://www.d.umn.edu/~jbrutger/Lowen
f.html)

This projects was appropriate for myself and the developmental stage I was experiencing
at the time. I was evolving from the preschematic stage into the schematic stage as seen
in my image; I have demonstrated space with a ground line and my figures I drew in the
image. I also demonstrate the schematic stage in the manner in which I drew my figures,
in which my grandmother is the largest figure and my sister is the smallest figure.

Academic Content Standards:
6PE: Generate artmaking ideas from their daily experiences and the environment.
4PR: Create an artwork based on observation of familiar objects and scenes.
4RE: Explain how personal interests and experiences are reflected in the subject matters
artworks.

I would use this lesson in my future classroom because family portraits or portraits of
important people in a childs life are something any child can do, and will usually create
anyway if they are given the tools to do so. Significant people in their lives are something
children naturally tend to draw in their artistic evolution. I also remember really enjoying
this assignment when I was in the first grade and completed this project.