Teach sixth graders about perspective and the illusion of visual depth using drawing. Take the class to the library to draw the bookshelves in the back of the room for a lesson in one-point perspective. In this perspective, there is only one point for the illusion of depth, where all other lines would meet if they continued into space. Draw a horizontal horizon line first across a sheet of drawing paper with pencil. Choose the center of it as the point of perspective and then draw the bookshelves with the illusion of depth, and show this to the students. Then have the students practice the same exercise with their own drawings.
Color mixing and color theory are important in understanding the relationships between colors. Early in the year, students should create their own color wheels to learn how to mix the primary colors, which are red, yellow and blue. Primary colors are the basic colors that cannot be broken down and can form all the other colors on the color wheel, which illustrates all color possibilities. One lesson would start with the sixth graders drawing 12 evenly spaced circles into a circle. Each circle should be approximately 3 inches wide. Provide acrylic or gouche paint in the three primary colors. Paint the top circle with yellow. Then paint the fourth circle to the right blue and then paint the fourth circle to the left from the yellow, red. In between the primary colors, students should fill in the other colors of the wheel by mixing the the primary colors in varying degrees. Students will learn what roles complementary colors and primary colors play in art aesthetics.
Once the students are familiar with two-dimensional visual arts lessons, they can create sculptures. Clay can be used by the sixth graders to create subtractive sculpture, where the material is taken away rather than added in a lesson about creating the human form. Show the students examples of sculptures that are similar to the type of sculpture you plan to have them create in the lesson. Then have the students draw preliminary sketches that show all angles of the sculptures they plan to make. Provide plastic knifes and clay wire tools for the students to carve out their art pieces.
Art history should accompany most visual art lessons in the sixth grade. Teach the students also about the cultural significance of art movements of different artists in history. Arrange field trips to local museums to enhance the classroom assignments. Have the students study a particular art movement: for example, the Harlem Renaissance. Have them examine the artwork from that movement, and participate in related assignments, such as creating mock posters that advertise a Harlem Renaissance event for concerts or art events, while also listening to jazz music from that era.