Gross and Gorgeous
6th - 8th Grade
Key Concepts
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Close observation is a tool artists and scientists utilize
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Gross and gorgeous are nuanced ways of seeing and expressing the world
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Jewelry is a way to communicate a message and express ideas.
Essential Questions
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In what ways can you observe carefully/ How is close observation reflected in artwork?
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What characteristics make something gross or gorgeous?
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What is gross? What is gorgeous?
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Why would an artist create something some people perceive as gross?
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What is the purpose of jewelry?

Students experiment with new ways of observational drawing.

Students compare and contrast paintings in a discussion focused on interpreting artwork.
Featured Artists
![]() Joshua Bonson | ![]() Georgia O'keeffe |
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![]() Elin Thomas | ![]() Lisa Klakulak |
Lesson Overview
Learning Segment 1

A 6th grader practices close observation while adding detail to an acrylic painting.
Learning Segment 2

Students rate contemporary works of art on the Goss-o-Meter, then analyze what characteristics make them so
Learning Segment 3

A student creates needle felted jewelry inspired by bacteria growing, collected from keyboards in classroom.
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Students will understand that close and careful observation is a tool that artists and scientists use.
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Students will interpret the artwork of Georgia O’keefe and Joshua Bonson.
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Students will utilize a view finder to look up close at objects and create an acrylic painting of what they observe.
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Students conduct a bacteria growing experiment and make predictions about outcomes.
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Students will examine concepts of gross and gorgeous. Students will investigate what elements make something gross or gorgeous.
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Students will examine results of a bacteria growing experiment and use sketches of bacteria to create their own felted art piece.
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Students will understand that the purpose of felt making has evolved over time.
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Students will understand that artists have a choice about whether they want to make their art gorgeous or gross.
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Students will analyze visual and tactile characteristics of gross and gorgeous.
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Through student conducted reserach students understand how jewelry’s purpose has evolved over time.
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Students will create their own piece of wearable art utilizing felting, and embroidery techniques that combine visual and tactile charachteris that bend the concepts of gross and gorgeous.
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Students will create criteria about what makes a good commercial and create their own to present their finished art piece.