This year for our second semester exam, I gave my 9th graders the choice between two different projects. I wanted them to feel independent about their artwork by having the ability to choose how to show me what they learned this year.

The first of the two choices related to our facial proportion unit. We learned about where things go on the face and then drew half-portraits and sculpted clay heads. The exam required students to draw a mini-face with all the parts in the correct place, create a shaded pencil drawing of a person, and answer several reflection questions describing what they learned about facial proportion this year. It was fun to read their descriptions of what they learned and how far they’ve come since the beginning of the year…and of course I loved their drawings.

Here are some of my favorites: