Montague Township School District
STEM: Digital Art Curriculum Guide
Grade 6
2025-2026
Kayte Snyder
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Description
Digital Art is a choice Middle School elective designed to introduce STEM students to the computer as a medium for creating art. Students will work with a variety of contemporary peripheral devices. Students will develop a working proficiency in the language of advertising and design. This course has been designed to address visual problem solving through contemporary graphic design for the twenty-first century and its relationship to traditional graphic design methodology and history via hands-on exploration of visual ideas and solutions. It will incorporate group learning, authentic assessment methods, and the use of technology as a means of learning throughout the course. Real world, visual problem solving will be an important part of the Digital Art curriculum. The computer and its inherent peripherals will be used in the final production of all projects.
Big Ideas
- Art is a universal language that encompasses all forms of communication to express a variety of viewpoints, ideas, and feelings.
- Artists use a variety of problem solving and decision making skills to apply the elements of art, principles of design, and sensory and expressive features in work of art.
- Artists' experiences with materials, tools, techniques, processes, and technology in combination with concepts and themes result in well-crafted works of art.
- Art allows the world to see personal experiences, new perspectives, and shapes, criticizes, and reflects on society.
- Through the study of art, people learn to make informed critical judgments, gain knowledge about visual communication, and learn to respect one's own expression and those of others.
- Graphic Design focuses on visual communication and presentation using typography, visual art, and layout techniques to capture the eye of a broad and expansive audience.
Essential Questions
- How do artists use the language of art in communication?
- Why and how do artists apply the elements of art and principles of design in works of art?
- Why is the exploration and application of materials, tools, techniques, processes and technology in a safe and responsible manner important in visual art?
- How does art impact the world and the world impact art?
- How is art analyzed and understood?
- How does the art of graphic design communicate ideas to the world?
Engineering Design
Students engage in critique writing and open-ended writing responses about art and design projects. Students present and discuss finished artwork, developing communication skills through class discussions and peer feedback on design concepts and creative solutions.
Students analyze design history and cultural influences on graphic design by examining contemporary and classic examples of design work. Students learn about design movements and their relationship to specific time periods and cultures through historical analysis of poster design and design methodology.
Students create projects using design principles and visual art elements including emphasis, movement, balance, color, typography, and layout. Students develop proficiency in digital art tools and demonstrate understanding of composition, visual hierarchy, and aesthetic principles in their creative work.
Students research design concepts and present information using digital tools, databases, and multimedia presentations. Students learn to use a variety of websites and digital resources to enhance their understanding of graphic design and support their creative projects.
This course will utilize formative, summative, alternative and benchmark assessments. Projects: 50% - in-class projects focused on group planning, problem solving, addressing artificial limitations and criteria, and creating a product that reflects a solution to the problem. Classwork/HW: 25% - assesses the students ability to complete daily tasks within the classroom addressing basic skills necessary for complete understanding of the units. Assessment/Quiz: 25% - assesses student understanding of in-class subjects and lessons; can range from mini-projects and challenges to presentations, google forms, or graded exit tickets.
| Unit | Formative | Summative | Benchmark | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Digital Art: Objectives 1-13 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| Unit | IEP | 504 | MLL | At-Risk | Gifted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Digital Art: Objectives 1-13 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 |