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All-Level Certification In Technology Applications

Grades 7th-8th Art and Technology Ideas

7^th-8^th Art and Technology ideas

1. Students will learn about plant life by examining live samples, gathering specimens, researching the specimens further, using the Internet, writing about the plant, and then drawing the plant in detail through observation.
2. Students will learn about a specific country by watching a film about that country, using the Internet to research that country, and by learning historical aspects of the country like the culture, architecture, paintings from it, etc. to better describe the people from the country.  The students will then write about some aspect of the country’s cultural background, prepare a food that is specific to that country, draw or create costumes from that country, or use recycled materials to recreate something from that country, such as a flag or historical marker.
3. Students will research a particular culture or people like Japanese, and then prepare a presentation of their findings to the class.  The presentations could be a PowerPoint presentation, a formal presentation of some cultural aspect of Japan, a demonstration of Japanese writing or cooking, etc.
4. Students will use the Internet to learn the history of urban art and graffiti, and then use Paint Shop Pro 7 to create their own expressive urban art.
5. Students will use online tutorials to learn basic skills in paint programs like Paint Shop Pro or Adobe PhotoShop.
6. Students will use the Internet to research the historical use of anthropomorphic images in cartoons and animation, and then use Paint Shop Pro to create their own anthropomorphic images.
7. Students will use Paint Shop Pro to create eye-catching text for product labels while examining and researching the many uses of text in advertising and popular culture in conjunction with images for purposes of persuasion.
8. In learning about photography and the advancement of color photography after black and white photography, and by comparing and contrasting color and b/w images, students will use Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop to change the gray tones of black and white images into color images.
9. Students will use Paint Shop Pro to learn photo enhancement or manipulation of photos.
10. In commemorating people who have positively impacted society, students will explore the contemporary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through documentaries, use the Internet to research the positive impact another famous person has had on society and the images that best represent the actions and beliefs of that person, create an art exhibit honoring that person's legacy, and finally, write an essay analyzing the effect this individual has had on modern society.
11. By investigating the evolution of cultural traditions by using the Internet, students will reflect upon traditional, cultural, or ritualized events. They will then research and document the evolution of a familiar tradition or ritualized event and creatively represent the changes to the tradition through artwork and video production.
12. Students will learn about how art and music can be powerful tools for conveying a political or social message through sound clips, video clips and the Internet. After considering the issues surrounding rapper Paris's latest album, students will design their own album covers that reflect their political and/or social concerns.
13. In learning about world cultures through art, students will explore how culture is reflected through art. After researching the art of a specific culture, students will create replicas of art objects that reflect the ideals, values, and history of the culture.  Finally, students will present their findings to the class through a PowerPoint presentation
14. Students will research and reflect on the role of DNA in society since its discovery in 1953 by creating works of art and poetry that metaphorically illustrate the importance, influence and concerns of DNA research.
15. Students will consider the two finalists in the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's contest for architectural designs for the site of the World Trade Center. Students will then create their own designs for a meaningful public space, and critique each other's designs through a class chat room or discussion forum.
16. Students will learn about the aims of artists working in various contemporary art movements by researching these movements on the Internet, and then create works in a similar art style to convey "messages" about social or political issues that are meaningful to them.
17. Students will learn about the unique character of the Gee's Bend quilts and about the history of patchwork quilts through research. They will then create a class quilt that "tells" their life stories, using computer-generated images.
18. Students will consider Al Sharpton's critique of the state of African-American youth and their values. After creating a mural celebrating African-American culture, students will reflect on the legitimacy of Sharpton's concerns.
19. Students will explore the artistic and social significance of African masks. Students will then create their own masks that reflect an important social or psychological truth about themselves.
20. Students will use measurement and calculation to explore the mathematical principles behind the art of M.C. Escher. They then learn how to apply these and other mathematical principles to the creation of their own original artwork, using a basic CAD program.
21. Students will examine three perspectives from which to compose a photograph. They will then plan a shot list and take photos that demonstrate an understanding of the rules of composition, using a digital camera.
22. Students will conduct Internet 'treasure hunts' to explore how everyday items, both in their antique and modern forms, possess historic and cultural significance.