School Tours: Exploring the Elements of Art
Grades 4–6
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What are the different elements that make up a work of art? This tour explores the elements of color, line, shape/form, space, and texture. Guided looking, art making, writing, and discussion activities help students understand how artists consciously manipulate these elements—often in combination—to achieve particular results.
Through "looking, making, and discussing" activities, students increase their appreciation and understanding of art. This two-hour tour starts with a short film to introduce students to the elements of art and is followed by four to six stops in the galleries.
Looking and Learning Skills
During the tour, students engage in activities that foster conversations about works of art. The following skills and ideas are promoted:
- Comparing the different ways that artists use the elements of art
- Engaging in the creative process of looking at and making art
- Developing interpretations and making personal connections to works of art
- Reasoning with evidence from the artworks themselves
- Connecting tour ideas to prior knowledge and experience
Group Size: Up to 60 students
Length: 2 hours
Time: 10:30 a.m. only
Meeting Location: East Building, Entrance (inside)
Museum policies
Student lunches
General information
How can I prepare my students for this tour?
What Gallery resources are available on this theme?
- NGAClassroom: Art Since 1950
- NGALoanfinder: Inquiring Eye: Exploring the Elements of Art
- NGAKids: Paintbox
- NGAKids: Brushter
- NGAKids: Collage Machine
What is object-based teaching and learning?