V.E233

From Landscapes to Land Art: A Docent’s Guide to the Portrayal of Nature in Art

Students will select a work of art and analyze what the artist’s portrayal of nature tells us about his or her view of the natural world. In Part 1, students will examine the image and create a word bank describing the visual elements, mood, and media found in the image. In Part 2, each student will use his or her word bank and the prompts to write a script for a docent or guide, to use when describing the work of art and the artist’s portrayal of nature to visitors.

This item has not been field-tested by Michigan teachers.

Teacher Booklet

Download PDF Download Word Doc

Student Booklet

Download PDF Download Word Doc

This is an analytic rubric. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

Teacher Scoring Rubric

  • Dimension

  • Interprets the artist’s view of nature with reference to visual elements in the artwork.

  • Describe the mood of the artwork and relate the mood to the artist’s view of nature.

  • Identify media used in the artwork and relate the media to the artist’s view of nature.

  • Word Bank

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

  • Student describes the subject of the artwork but does not interpret the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student interprets the artist’s view of nature but does not make reference to visual elements in the artwork.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student interprets the artist’s view of nature with reference to at least two visual elements, such as texture, line, color, space, movement, or proportion or scale.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student interprets the artist’s view of nature with reference to at least three visual elements, such as texture, line, color, space, movement, or proportion or scale.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student describes the subject of the selected image but does not identify the mood of the image. Student does not relate the mood to the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student uses at least one term from the Word Bank to describe the mood of the selected image. Student does not relate the mood to the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student uses two or more terms from the Word Bank to describe the mood of the selected image. Student describes how the mood created by the artist communicates his or her view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student uses his or her own expressive language to describe the mood of the selected image. Student describes how the mood created by the artist communicates his or her view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student describes the subject of the selected image but does not identify the media used in the image or relate the subject to the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student identifies some media used in the selected image. Student does not describe how the artist’s choice of media communicates the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student identifies some media used in the selected image. Student partially describes how the artist’s choice of media communicates the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student identifies all media used in the selected image. Student describes how the artist’s choice of media communicates the artist’s view of nature.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student does not use words that describe the visual elements, mood, and media used to create the artwork.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student sometimes uses words that describe the visual elements, mood, and media used to create the artwork.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student uses 3 or 4 expressive words that sufficiently describe the visual elements, mood, and media used to create the artwork.

    N/A at this time.

  • Student uses 5 or more clear and conscious words that describe the visual elements, the mood, and media used to create the artwork.

    N/A at this time.
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