Michelle Puhl-Price
Middle School Visual Art Teacher
301-774-7455, ext.137
michelle.puhl-price@ssfs.org
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Michelle Puhl-Price Middle School Visual Art Teacher |
Sixth Grade Art
Seventh Grade Art
Eighth Grade Art
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. Greek Mosaic |
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 I love art! |
 Careful Concentration! |
The sixth grade will begin their semester discovering the differences between realistic and abstract art. Using a variety of 20th century artists and their works, the students will increase their art appreciation and develop a sense for two and three dimensional art. Many forms of art will be experimented with and we will develop several projects based on the artists we study. The goal is to give the student a background knowledge of the tools and techniques used in the Visual Arts. They will learn the basics of color theory and develop skills in mixing hues, shades and tints. The projects will range from a color wheel design, a realistic landscape painting on canvas, work in ceramics and an applique quilt square. The students will be shown how to organize their thoughts and to develop bright and imaginative ideas. Throughout the entire course, the students will keep a sketchbook / journal. All designs, notes and vocabulary will be kept in the journal.
 Color Wheel 101 |
 Pencil Value Shading |
 Carving Clay Tiles |
 Careful Concentration! |
Shape, form and space will be our main goal this semester in seventh grade Visual Art. In those areas the students will learn about the three different types of sculpture and understand the process of perspective. At the beginning of the semester the students will practice three dimensional drawing techniques like perspective. In perspective there are a set of guidelines and the students will develop a strong knowledge of the various techniques by drawing random shapes in space. As they gain more confidence the students will begin designing cities and illustrating their names. The bulk of the artwork is in three dimensional sculpture. The students will be given guidelines for their sculpture projects and asked to brainstorm for new uses of current materials. Ordinary wire will be bend to spell out their name and beads will be added to reflect light or dozens of household keys will be strung from branches found in the woods to make a unique windchime. Stained glass is introduced at this time and the students learn the proper techniques for designing, cutting, grinding, and soldering the glass pieces together. Throughout the entire course, the students will keep a sketchbook / journal. All designs, notes and vocabulary will be kept in the journal.
 Perspective Name Illustration |
 Perspective "Bird's Eye View" of a City |
 Scale Drawing for Etched Screen |
 Peeling the Contact Paper |
The students in eighth grade visual arts have a rare and wonderful opportunity to guide their art curriculum. Students will choose the direction of the course. The course starts off with a review of drawing, painting and sculpture techniques. Blind contour drawings and pencil value studies help teach the students how to look at the silhouette or outline of the shape. Painting techniques in color mixing and texture will accentuate the project inspired by Henri Matisse. Students chose a picture and use their emotion to dictate the color palette. Suspended, relief and free-standing sculpture are discussed and one type is explored by each student. To complete the semester the students chose one art medium to research for an independent project. They are free to chose their own personal direction but need to be able to demonstrate their new knowledge to their peers. Throughout the entire course, the students keep a sketchbook / journal. All designs, notes and vocabulary will be kept in the journal.
 Mosaic Art |
 Painting Techniques |
 Painting Canvas |
A Grrrreat Painting! |
Ceramic Elective
The trimester workshop allows students to experience many areas of ceramic arts. They will learn the three basic handbuilding techniques: Coil, slab and pinch. Most of their creations will be made with the handbuilding techniques. Teapots, vases, banks, tiles and plaques are just a few examples of the projects they will make. Each student will get the opportunity to try throwing on a pottery wheel and practice the basics of centering and opening. Firing and glazing will be learned first hand because each student will load, unload and glaze all of their projects.
