Year 8 Art & Design

Unit Content

Unit 1

Agents of change

This unit centres on three-dimensional visual language and introduces students to the artist and ocean advocate Courtney Mattison. Through exploring this artist’s work, students learn how to manipulate and join clay, as well as how to create balanced compositions in three-dimensions. We also discuss why and how the work is important and the wider context of global citizenship.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing how research and investigation can inspire and inform personal interpretation
  • Understanding the importance of planning and designing
  • Understanding artistic motivation and concepts in art

Key skills developed:

  • How to research information about another artist's creative practice
  • How to manipulate and join clay
  • How to create a composition in 360 degrees
  • How to analyse and evaluate our own work and that of other artists

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively at Weeks 5 and 10 of the 12-week unit against an established checklist of criteria. A baseline assessment of dexterity and fine motor skill is conducted early in the unit to facilitate planning and support. Assessment is this unit is designed to support progress and build confidence for all students, regardless of their fine motor skills or prior knowledge.

Unit 2 

2D skill building through still life

This unit expands students' skillset in two-dimensional visual language and introduces students to a wide range of technique and process. They work through a broad set of media and have the opportunity to widen their experience of oil pastel, chalk pastel, colour pencil, watercolour and pen, and wash and acrylic painting.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding how skills can be transferred between wet and dry media
  • Understanding how practising techniques improves confidence over time
  • Understanding how art media can be matched to intention

Key skills developed:

  • How to record and observe in the range of media listed above
  • How to blend
  • How to mix colour
  • How to work with composition and scale

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively at Weeks 5 and 10 of the 12-week unit against an established checklist of criteria. A baseline assessment of dexterity and fine motor skill is conducted early in the unit to facilitate planning and support. Assessment is this unit is designed to support progress and build confidence for all students, regardless of their fine motor skills or prior knowledge.