Learning objectives & standards alignment
Students will: (1) produce smooth curved lines at a steady tempo, (2) maintain even spacing around a center, and (3) close curves cleanly. These map to common visual arts standards on line quality, motor control, and iterative improvement. Our scoring—roundness, centering, and closure—gives transparent, growth‑oriented feedback.
Warm‑ups (5 minutes)
- Air Circles (1 min): Students trace circles in the air using shoulder motion to prime whole‑arm arcs.
- Tempo Count (2 min): Class counts “one‑two‑three” while tracing circles on paper or tablet.
- Quadrant Callouts (2 min): Teacher calls “twelve, three, six, nine” to build even pacing across quadrants.
Practice stations (20–30 minutes)
Rotate every 6–8 minutes. Students record scores at each station and note one tip that helped.
- Station A – Grid Rails: With grid on, cross axes at equal distances (see Grid Lines).
- Station B – Tracing Dots: Work at a level that challenges but doesn’t frustrate (24→2; Dots Progression).
- Station C – Closure Lab: Practice Portal Drill and aim‑through pacing.
- Station D – Size Ladder: Small, medium, large circles with steady tempo.
Assessment & rubrics
Formative: After each station, students log the three scores and a self‑reflection (e.g., “grid helped me keep even spacing”).
Summative: End of class “exam rep”: two circles in Main Mode. Use this rubric (4‑point scale each):
- Roundness: 1) uneven, 2) improving, 3) smooth with minor flat spots, 4) consistently smooth.
- Centering: 1) obvious drift, 2) some drift, 3) mostly centered, 4) consistently centered.
- Closure: 1) visible gap/overlap, 2) occasional seam, 3) small/rare seam, 4) seamless.
Teachers can weigh categories as needed; e.g., roundness 50%, centering 30%, closure 20%.
Extensions & cross‑curricular ideas
- Geometry link: Discuss radius, chords, and tangents (Geometry Guide).
- Design link: Icon design with circular motifs; evaluate curvature consistency.
- History link: The Giotto story and demonstration (Giotto’s Circle).
Tech setup & classroom management
- Use Practice Mode for stations; Main Mode for exam reps.
- Encourage earbuds or low volume for audio cues; disable if distracting.
- Pair students to alternate drawing and observing; observers watch centering and pacing.