Springfield College

Lesson Plan Template

Teacher: Miss Grego
Subject: Visual Arts
Title of Lesson: Sweet and Sour M&M
Commentary Day 1

Date: 11/28/16
Grade Level: 8th
Lesson Length: 43 minutes

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary:
Students will learn about the terms still-life and composition and create their
own with M&Ms. Students will begin to practice drawing their still-life.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
-1.5 Expand the repertoire of 2D and 3D art processes
-1.7 Use the appropriate vocabulary related to the methods, materials, and
techniques students have learned and used in grades PreK-8
-2.10 For shape and form, use and be able to identify an expanding and
increasingly sophisticated array of shapes and forms
-2.11 For composition, create unified 2D and 3D compositions that
demonstrate an understanding of balance, repetition, rhythm, scale,
proportion, unity, harmony, and emphasis.
-3.4 Create 2D and 3D representational artwork from direct observation in
order to develop skills of perception
-3.6 Create artwork that employs the use of symbolic imagery, emotions
-4.4 Produce work that shows an understanding of the concept of
craftsmanship
-5.6 Demonstrate the ability to describe the kinds of imagery used to
represent subject matter and ideas, for example, literal representation,
simplification, abstraction, or symbolism.
-10.2 Continue to apply arts knowledge with other disciplines
Lesson Objectives: The students will be able to..
-Create a still-life with a unique composition.
-Draw M&Ms with form from direct observation (still-life).
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
-bag of M&Ms
-drawing paper
-pencils
-colored pencils
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas: The students will understand that
-Drawing from direct observation (still-life) allows for more realistic drawings
-Creating an interesting composition makes artwork much more appealing and
successful.
-M&Ms are not circles, they are spherical because they have form.
Concepts:

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Template
Still-life, composition, direct observation, form
Essential Questions:
-What makes a composition interesting?
-Why are M&Ms not circles?
-Why is it easier to draw from a still-life?
Content
Factual Content:
Students will be creating their own still-lifes from M&Ms and drawing from
them.
Vocabulary:
Tier 1:
form
Tier 2:
Still-life, direct observation
Tier 3:
composition
Critical Thinking Skills (Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening)
Students will be able to think critically about what makes a shape 2D versus
3D. Students will be able to set up their own still-life to work from.

Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative,

Informal/Formal)
Students will be graded on their DO NOW journals everyday as well as their
effort.
Students will be given a rubric where they will be graded in 5 categories: work
ethic/effort, composition, completeness, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Action/Instructional Procedures
1. DO NOW: Copy the definitions for still-life and composition from the board into your
sketch books. Use both vocabulary words in a sentence.
2. Discuss with students what makes a composition interesting
3. Talk about form with students- M&Ms are not circles- they are spherical forms
4. Have students create their own M&M still life
5. Have students take a picture of it for reference next class
6. Begin to practice drawing the M&M still life from direct observation

Reflection on Lesson

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Template
a. The Lesson Plan:
b. Teaching Skills:
c. The Students: