Communicating Identity 8th Grade

Big Idea: Identity, Transformation

Overview: Students will create an "about me" poster using design elements from Canva and text that is important to them, followed by an abstract self-portrait painting. The painting will encapsulate some or all of the elements they incorporated in their posters. (The self portrait doesn’t have to be a face, it’s up for interpretation by the students.) Students will understand more about themselves and their peers through this project and hopefully see how art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and communication.

Essential Questions:

• What is identity and where does it come from?

• What is your identity?

• What is abstract art?

• How can we transform a realistic image into an abstract one?

The unit encourages students to explore new self-expression methods through design and painting, fostering critical self-reflection and self-expression.

Objective: Students will use Canva to create posters expressing their identity and interests, and then create an abstract self-portrait painting incorporating elements from their posters, understanding the power of art as a tool for self-expression and communication.

Differentiated Instruction:

• Differentiated seating

• Visual and written step-by-step instructions/examples

• Translated language instruction 

• Gloves for sensory 

• If students aren't confident in talking about their artwork to the class I'm open to having a one on one conversation.

Assessment Strategies: Observe student engagement and participation in the lesson, providing feedback and support during the creation process. Students will fill out a worksheet to critically analyze their artwork, and have the option to share and discuss it with the class.