Student created Commercials

Art grades 7/8

Students will begin a lesson on the career fields in Art. The class will brainstorm to see how many jobs they can think of (in groups) that require Fine Art skills. Students will then see a power point presentation showing various careers that all require knowledge or skills in Fine Art. The unit itself will focus on product design, fashion design and advertising. The students will learn about the use of color, font and layout in an effective design or advertisement. Students will work individually on creating an original 3D cereal box and a fashion design before moving on to the group commercial project. Students will take all of the information that they have learned about effective design with a purpose to sell. They will choose an original product and a target audience for their product. They will research effective commercials in their product category. They must write a script, make props, set a scene, assign roles and act out their commercials using the iFlip cameras. The commercials will be viewed in class and then the top commercials will be broadcast on the school news in the morning for the rest of the school to enjoy.

This lesson will incorporate writing, reading, hands on learning, collaborative groups, research skills and the students will also have to use problem solving skills in order to work as a group with one common goal. This will also demonstrate their understanding of the information taught regarding effective design and will also demonstrate their mastery level of the skills needed to create their props for the commercial.

Once the commercials are completed, students will be required to reflect on the process and write a summary of what they enjoyed and what they would do differently. Students will also learn how to respectfully critique and score the work of other groups.

This total unit will take several weeks, but the commercial project will take 2 weeks from start to finish. This should also be done with students that are more familiar with the Art room and supplies. I would teach this at the end of a school year as a fun project to keep students focused before summer break!