Time Duration: 1 class period

Unit Title: Drawing/Painting

Lesson Title: Form

Objectives of Lesson

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify geometric, organic, and natural forms as well as realistic, abstract, and nonobjective forms.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of form by successfully completing activities.

Materials Needed

1. Sketchbook, drawing pencil, and eraser.

2. Form instructional posters.

3. Newspapers, scissors, and glue sticks.

4. Simple objects to draw.

Instructional Procedure with Approximate Time Line

1. Anticipatory Set (5 minutes)

Form describes volume and mass, or the three-dimensional aspects of objects that take up space (space is two-dimensional). Forms can and should be viewed from many angles. When you hold a baseball, shoe, or small sculpture, you are aware of the curves, angles, indentations, extensions, and edges &emdash; their forms.

Architectural forms usually contain enclosed spaces and most are geometric forms, but some architects use curvilinear forms in their building designs. Rocks, trees, mountains, flowers, animals, and people are examples of natural forms. Sculpture can have geometric form or organic form.

Abstract forms simplify forms to their basic characteristics and nonobjective forms do not represent any natural forms at all. Realistic forms depict people, animals, and plants as they may actually appear.

2. Activities (35 minutes)

Activities are to be done on separate sketchbook pages, not back to back.

• Cut from newspaper three photos each that illustrate different forms from nature and architecture. Glue them onto a sketchbook page. Title the page "Forms From Nature and Architecture".
• Title a sketchbook page "Abstract and Nonobjective Forms". You will be doing three drawings on this page. Draw a simple object with contour lines and add some value to it. Label the drawing "Realistic Form". Draw the same simple object as an "Abstract Form" (label it) capturing only its basic characteristics. Lastly, draw a "Nonobjective Form" (label it) remembering that it should have no objects or subjects that can be readily identified.

3. Assessment

0 points = Activity not found, unfinished or no title.

5 points = Activity is partly correct. Some improvements should be made to ensure understanding of the lesson.

10 points = Activity correct. Student demonstrates an understanding of the concepts by successfully completing the assignment.

Lesson ideas taken from Elements and Principles of Design Posters, Teacher’s Guide, by Crystal Productions.