# Lesson Plan: Mixed Media and Digital Art
**Grade Level:** 5th Grade
**Duration:** 1 hour and 30 minutes
**Topic:** Mixed Media and Digital Art
## Objectives:
1. Students will understand the concept of mixed media and digital art.
2. Students will explore various traditional and digital tools to create art.
3. Students will create a mixed media and digital art piece.
4. Students will learn to critically analyze their own artwork and the artworks of their peers.
## Materials:
- Traditional art supplies: markers, colored pencils, paint, brushes, glue, scissors, paper, and magazine cutouts.
- Digital devices: tablets or computers with drawing applications (e.g., Procreate, Microsoft Paint, or any other accessible digital art tool).
- Projector or interactive whiteboard for demonstrations.
## Standards:
- National Core Arts Standards (NCAS): VA:Cr1.1.5, VA:Cr2.1.5, VA:Cr3.1.5, VA:Re7.2.5, and VA:Pr4.1.5.
## Instruction:
### Introduction (10 minutes):
1. **Hook**: Show a short video showcasing notable mixed media and digital artists and their famous works. For example, use artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat or Andy Warhol.
2. **Discussion**: Briefly discuss with students what they observed in the video. Highlight the idea that mixed media art combines different mediums and digital art incorporates technology.
### Instructional Content (20 minutes):
1. **Define Mixed Media Art**:
- Explain that mixed media art involves combining different art mediums like paints, markers, and found objects to create one artwork.
- Show examples of mixed media art pieces and analyze different media used.
2. **Define Digital Art**:
- Explain the concept of digital art and its relevance in the modern world.
- Show examples of digital art, emphasizing the tools used such as drawing tablets and software.
3. **Demonstration**:
- Provide a live demonstration on the use of both traditional art materials and digital tools. Create a simple mixed media base and show how to enhance it using digital tools.
### Guided Practice (15 minutes):
1. **Activity Instructions**:
- Explain to students that they will create their own artwork using both traditional and digital methods.
- Start by creating an abstract or themed base using traditional materials.
2. **Digital Enhancement**:
- Once the traditional base is completed, guide students on how to transfer their work to a digital format either by photographing or scanning the artwork.
### Independent Practice (30 minutes):
1. **Create**:
- Allow students to create their mixed media and digital artworks. Walk around and assist where necessary, offer encouragement and technical support.
- Encourage creativity: students can use digital tools to add layers, textures, and effects to their traditional base.
### Critique and Reflection (15 minutes):
1. **Gallery Walk**:
- Display the finished artworks on Chromebooks or tablets.
- Allow students to walk around and view their peers' artwork.
2. **Discussion**:
- Facilitate a discussion:
- What do they like about each artwork?
- What elements did they find interesting?
- How did using mixed media and digital tools change their approach or the final artwork?
3. **Self-Reflection**:
- Have students write a short reflection on what they learned, what media and tools they enjoyed using the most, and what they found challenging.
## Closure (5 minutes):
1. **Recap**: Briefly recap the key points from the lesson.
2. **Homework/Extension**: Assign an optional project where students create another mixed media and digital artwork at home, using different themes or inspirations.
### Assessment:
- Observe student participation and engagement during discussions and activities.
- Evaluate the completed mixed media and digital artworks based on creativity, effort, and use of mixed media and digital tools.
- Review written reflections for understanding and insights gained.
This lesson plan aims to blend traditional and modern art techniques, encouraging creativity and technical skills in young artists.