Unit Plan 5 (Grade 6 Art): Principles of Design Practice

Focus: Use contrast, balance, emphasis, and rhythm to organize compositions and make visual ideas clearer and more engaging.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Principles of Design • Composition)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students build on their knowledge of the elements of art by focusing on the principles of design—contrast, balance, emphasis, and rhythm. They learn how these principles help artists organize elements on the page so viewers know where to look and how to “move” through a composition. By analyzing artworks and completing structured composition exercises, students practice using principles on purpose to improve clarity and impact. The unit ends with a small composition where students apply at least two principles to solve a design problem.

Essential Questions

• How do contrast, balance, emphasis, and rhythm help organize a composition?
• What does it mean to create a focal point and guide the viewer’s eye through an artwork?
• How can I use principles of design intentionally instead of by accident?
• How do artists combine elements of art and principles of design to communicate ideas and feelings clearly?
• How can analyzing the principles in artwork help me make better design decisions in my own work?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Define and identify contrast, balance, emphasis, and rhythm in artworks and classroom examples (VA:Cr2.6a).
2. Use contrast (differences in value, color, size, or texture) to create clear focal points in simple compositions (VA:Cr2.6a).
3. Create compositions that show different types of balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial) using basic shapes and forms (VA:Cr2.6a).
4. Organize repeated elements to create a sense of rhythm or movement across the page (VA:Cr2.6a).
5. Design a small “Principles in Practice” composition that uses at least two principles intentionally to improve clarity and visual interest, and explain these choices (VA:Cr2.6a).

Standards Alignment — 6th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.6a — Apply elements of art and principles of design intentionally to organize composition and improve clarity.
  • Example: Students use contrast and repetition to create emphasis.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can spot and name contrast, balance, emphasis, and rhythm in artworks.
• I can use contrast to make a focal point that stands out.
• I can arrange shapes or objects so my composition feels balanced, not awkward.
• I can use repetition and spacing to create a sense of rhythm or movement.
• I can explain how using these principles on purpose makes my artwork clearer and more interesting.