Unit Plan 4 (Grade 7 Art): Elements & Principles Review
Grade 7 art unit applying elements and principles of design to revise compositions, strengthen balance and emphasis, and improve mood, clarity, and visual impact.
Focus: Apply design principles to improve composition structure, using the elements of art and principles of design to create balanced, engaging, and expressive images.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Design & Composition • Analysis & Refinement)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students review and deepen their understanding of the elements of art (line, shape, color, value, texture, form, space) and principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity). They analyze how these tools work together to create mood, focus, and structure in artworks. Through quick studies and “composition fix” challenges, students practice improving existing layouts by adjusting elements and principles. By the end, each student will complete a “Design Tune-Up” where they revise a composition to make it more balanced, clear, and visually engaging—and explain how their choices changed the overall effect.
Essential Questions
- How do the elements of art and principles of design work together to shape the way an artwork looks and feels?
- In what ways can I adjust balance, contrast, emphasis, and unity to strengthen a composition?
- How do changes in color, value, and space affect the mood of an artwork?
- What strategies can I use to diagnose problems in a composition and improve its structure?
- How can I explain the design decisions I make using art vocabulary?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and label the elements of art and principles of design in sample artworks and peer work (VA:Re7.7a).
- Analyze how elements (e.g., color, value, line) and principles (e.g., balance, emphasis, unity) contribute to mood and focus in an artwork (VA:Re7.7a).
- Apply elements and principles purposefully to create or revise compositions for better balance, emphasis, and clarity (VA:Cr2.7a).
- Complete at least one “Design Tune-Up” where they adjust an existing composition to improve visual structure (VA:Cr2.7a).
- Explain in writing or orally how their revisions changed the mood, emphasis, and unity of the composition, using correct vocabulary (VA:Re7.7a).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr2.7a — Apply elements of art and principles of design purposefully to create balanced and visually engaging compositions.
- Example: Students use contrast, rhythm, and emphasis to create dynamic movement and clear focal points in a design.
- VA:Re7.7a — Analyze how elements and principles work together to create mood, emphasis, and unity.
- Example: Students identify how color, value, and balance influence emotional tone and focus in a composition.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name and recognize the elements of art and principles of design in artworks.
- I can explain how color, value, and balance affect the mood and focus of a piece.
- I can adjust a composition by changing elements and principles to make it stronger.
- I can complete a “Design Tune-Up” that clearly improves balance, emphasis, or unity.
- I can use art vocabulary (like contrast, emphasis, unity) to explain the changes I made.