Marks and Dots

All art starts with a mark. It took a long time to finally work this into some art lessons. Two books inspire dot themed art lessons. These include “Lots of Dots” by Craig Frazier and “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds . Resulting in marks and dots art lessons that defines a dot with students. Your students will enjoy discovering how art starts with dots and marks.

Definitions

What is the difference between the marks and dots? In the marks and dots art lesson a teacher must have a discussion. A mark is random, accidental, and/or that could be considered a stain that is not wanted. However, a dot moves in a circular direction. Yet both are not a circle. So in essence, both marks and dots make lines. All lines start with a drawing tool that is pulled on a surface. Once the drawing tool touches the surface is starts the line with a dot or mark depending on how precise the owner of the tool is.

The Lessons

The first lesson is the random placement of dots. How are dots provided? The dots are different colors and different sizes, but one color is fine too. Either the teacher cuts the dots before conducting the lesson. Or the teacher has the students trace and cut the dots out for a cutting exercise. Yet another way is to photocopy a set of dots and have the students color or not color the dots, but then they have to cut them out. So students may simply drop the dots to see the unexpected arrangement. This is fun for the younger students. Students could glue them or not. They could pick them up and drop them several times to see the different arrangements. Another idea is that they close their eyes and lay them out.

Next students use the dots to arrange them in an ordered manner. They may order them to make a representation of things. Caterpillars, bugs, snake, and more are possibilities. To focus on how dots/marks start lines then have students arrange the dots in a follow the leader progression. The teacher may introduce different names of lines to help direct the dots as they march on the paper. Wavy, curved, or straight work well. Then glue the dots in place. Have students paint or draw additional dots to repeat the line or make a random arrangement.

Students enjoy the dots…

The use of the dot, which seems so simple, leads to so many possibilities. It is like the phrase: “think out side the box”. It is time to think outside the dot. Simple or elaborate in itself is complete. Layer it, space it, combine it, etc. Eventually, the human mind sees the beauty.