TOPIC: Positive and Negative Space

Date: Friday November 14, 2014

Subject: Art 3/4

Intentions/Objectives/Outcomes:
Assessment:
Grade 3/4 Art:
Formative comments during the art process
Component 5ALooking at negative shapes helps
Assessment of learning on a rubric
create a different view of something.
Component 7AThe centre of interest can be made
prominent by contrasting its size, shape, colour or
texture from the other parts of the composition.
Time(~
Teaching Points
Notes
1h)
Anticipatory Set:
(~3min) -Probe students for prior knowledge about positive and negative space. What is it?
Where have you seen it?
(~3min) -Put picture of vase/faces on the SMARTboard. Ask students, who sees a vase? Who
sees a face? Discuss findings.
Learning Activities:
-If students see a vase, then they are seeing the white area as the positive space (the Remind students
black areas become the negative space). If they are seeing faces, then they are
to make artwork
seeing the black areas as the positive space (and the white area as the negative
neat.
(~3min) space).
-Show how putting black square on black paper makes it blend in, while putting it on a *Make sure
(~3min) paper of a contrasting color makes its outline stand out.
students glue
-Give each student a black construction paper square and a piece of bright colored
small pieces
paper of their choice. Put the square in the middle and gently mark the corners so
down around
(~2min) there is a frame for the black square. Model.
border of square
(~40mi -Together, cut out a wavy line from the black square, put the square on the middle of
as they go but
n)
the colored paper, and flip the cut-out wavemodel with paper under document
leave square
camera. Glue down piece.
unglued!!
-Show examples of student work. Make sure to demonstrate how flipping
works, and connect to symmetry!
-Students will work independently to create their own pieces of work with as many
shapes cut out as possible, making sure they are flipped symmetrically
Closure:
-Now that students are familiar with positive and negative space, ask if they can think
of places where they have seen it

References

(text or electronic)

Art Program of Studies

http://thevirtualinstructor.com/positive-andnegative-space.html
http://www.theartofed.com/2012/03/15/createfoolproof-positive-negative-designs/
http://thehelpfulartteacher.blogspot.ca/2010/11/pos
itive-and-negative-space.html

Displays/Materials
-Document camera
-black squares
-colored paper
-scissors
-glue
-negative/positive space images
-student work samples
-rubric

Reflection Notes:

Positive space is best described as the areas in a work of art that are the subjects, or areas of interest.
Negative space is area around the subjects, or areas of interest.
Name: ____________________________

Date: ________________________ Project: _________________________

Concepts, Elements and Skills used in this project ____________________________________________________________________________

Mediums Used in this project
______________________________________________________________________________________________
ACHIEVEMENT

Excellence

Success

Developing skills at
grade level (as per
exemplars when needed)

Produces high quality, creative

work

Produces quality work

Understanding and
application of Art
Concepts

Applies all concepts, especially

those stressed for the project

Use of Materials

Craftsmanship / Skill /
Consistency

Effort / Perseverance

Success with Support

Not Meeting Exp.

Produces acceptable work

Produces work of inconsistent

quality

Makes an effort to apply skills,

especially those stressed for the
project

Apply some of the skills expected

for the project

Rarely apply the expected skills

for the project

Uses materials appropriately

with no reminders

Uses materials appropriately

with little reminding

Need some reminding on proper

material use

Needs a lot of reminding on

proper material use

Artwork was beautifully and

patiently done; it was as good as
hard work could make it

With a little more effort, work

could have been outstanding;
lacks the finishing touches

Artwork was of average

craftsmanship; adequate, but not
as good as it could have been, a bit
careless

Project was below average in

craftsmanship, showed lack of
pride in finished project.

Worked hard to complete the

project, but with a little more
effort it might have been
outstanding.

Finished the project, but it could

have been improved with more
effort; knew how to do the project
but didn't finish; or chose an
easy project and worked carelessly

Completed the project with

minimum effort.

The project was continued until

it was as complete as could
make it, gave effort far beyond
that required, and took pride in
going well beyond the
requirement.

EFFORT

EXEMPLARY

SATISFACTION

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Participation

Always uses time well

Mostly uses time well

Usually uses time well

Behavior

Always follows classroom rules

and never causes classroom
disturbances

Usually follows classroom rules

and very rarely causes
classroom disturbances

Sometimes follows classroom rules and occasionally cause s classroom

disturbances

Group Cooperation /
Attitude

Was sensitive to the feelings of

others,

Am usually sensitive to the

feelings of others,

Sometimes am sensitive to others,