SCAAP: Applying Vocabulary to Describe an Artwork

Task Details

Applying Vocabulary to Describe an Artwork

In this task, students will demonstrate their ability to apply visual arts vocabulary to explain an artwork. Students should have experience defining, identifying, and creating art based on the visual arts vocabulary words included in this performance task. They should be able to discuss and write about their understandings of the vocabulary words with a variety of styles of art. The teacher will assess each student’s individual proficiency through written responses.

This page contains an 'at a glance' overview of this task, downloadable teacher guide and student booklet documents, and the task rubric with student work samples and rating justifications for each proficiency level.

Content Area, Artistic Process, & Anchor Standard

Visual Arts
Artistic Process	Responding
Anchor Standard 5	I can interpret and evaluate the meaning of an artwork.

Targeted Grade Level(s)

Upper Elementary
Middle School

Documents

Classroom Piloting Status

Piloted

Supplemental Materials

Silver Slipper Dance Hall
A large image of Silver Slipper Dance Hall by Jonathan Green to print for students and display while they write
Writing about an Artwork Worksheet
Directions, word bank, writing areas, and rubric
Writing about Art Practice Page (Fillable PDF)
A version of the standard practice page with a blank word bank
Writing about Art Practice Page (Standard Version)
A short version of the Writing about an Artwork Worksheet

Rubric and Sample Student Work

Proficiency Level	Description	Sample Student Work	Justification
UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING VISUAL ART VOCABULARY
Exemplary	All writing demonstrates clear, strong understanding of the visual arts vocabulary words used correctly: Uses all vocabulary words correctly Explains the meaning of all vocabulary words References specific aspects of the artwork for all vocabulary words	Sample 1 Sample 2	Sample 1 The student defines each of the terms and states specifically where and how they are used in the painting. The student demonstrates a thorough understanding of each term. Sample 2 The student describes details from the artwork for each of the 3 terms, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the terms.
Proficient	Most writing demonstrates clear, strong understanding of the visual arts vocabulary words used correctly: Uses most vocabulary words correctly Explains the meaning of most vocabulary words References specific aspects of the artwork for most vocabulary words	Sample 1 Sample 2	Sample 1 The student correctly uses and provides references to all three terms, but only explains two of the three terms. The details from the painting are not explained. Sample 2 The student uses each term correctly, and the student's descriptions sufficiently indicate an understanding of each term. The terms "color" and "pattern" are not clearly defined.
Approaching Proficient	Some writing demonstrates clear understanding of the visual arts vocabulary words used correctly: Uses some vocabulary words correctly Explains the meaning of some vocabulary words References specific aspects of the artwork for some vocabulary words	Sample 1 Sample 2	Sample 1 The student uses all three terms somewhat correctly and references the painting for two terms. Only one term (texture) is explained enough to demonstrate a thorough understanding. Sample 2 The student correctly uses three terms and identifies where the terms occurred in the artwork. The student only provides an explanation for one term (background).
Emerging	Writing demonstrates limited understanding of the visual arts terms used correctly: Uses few vocabulary words correctly Explains the meaning of few vocabulary words References specific aspects of the artwork for few vocabulary words	Sample 1 Sample 2	Sample 1 None of the three terms are both explained and referenced in the painting. The term background is explained but not referenced in the painting. The term details is referenced in the painting but not explained. The term color is neither explained effectively nor referenced in the painting. Sample 2 The student provides minimal information. No explanations are provided, and the student references the painting for only one term.
Needs Major Support	Much of the student’s writing is off-topic, does not specifically refer to aspects of the artworks, and/or does not demonstrate an understanding of visual arts vocabulary words.	Sample	The student does not answer the questions or follow the rubric.