Art

jump to 2nd, 3rd, 4-5th, Middle School; visit the Speed Bump Studio (K-3 Art).

Kindergarten and First Grade

Art classes are fun! The students are adventurers, exploring the art world by doing. They learn to recognize and use the art elements of line, shape, form, space, motif, pattern, texture and color in both two and three dimensions. Experimenting with different mediums, and with different ways of looking at our world, helps to nurture a lifelong love for the arts.

Skills that are introduced and developed in kindergarten encourage the students to:

PRINCIPLES OF ART
• Identify and create positive and negative space in a composition.
• Identify and begin to create balance in a composition.
• Express and communicate through the use of various art media.

ART APPRECIATION
• Begin to recognize isolated elements and principles of art in the artworks of a variety of artists and the artworks of other students.

Second Grade

The major goal of the art program is to develop a life-long love of the arts. The curriculum is designed to provide fun while working on a variety of art challenges. Second graders take on art experiments that use a myriad of mediums, techniques, and approaches. These help students learn about past and present artists, develop a unique vision, expand preconceptions about art, and use art to help see our world in new ways.

Skills that are introduced and developed in second grade encourage the students to:

PRINCIPLES OF ART
• Create artwork in two and three dimensions.
• Express and communicate through the use of various art media.

ART APPRECIATION
• Recognize elements and principles of art in the artwork of artists and peers.

Third Grade

The major goal of the art program is to develop a life-long love of the arts. The curriculum is designed to provide fun while working on a variety of art challenges. Second graders take on art experiments that use a myriad of mediums, techniques, and approaches. These help students learn about past and present artists, develop a unique vision, expand preconceptions about art, and use art to help see our world in new ways.

Skills that are introduced and developed in second grade encourage the students to:

PRINCIPLES OF ART
• Create artwork in two and three dimensions.
• Express and communicate through the use of various art media.

ART APPRECIATION
• Recognize elements and principles of art in the artwork of artists and peers.

back to K-3 Curriculum

Grades 4 and 5

Art education contributes toward the creative, aesthetic, and perceptive growth of every child. Art experiences vary based on students’ level of understanding, artistic development, and stage of visual expression. Art classes encourage students to develop working knowledge of the elements and principles of art. The overall aim is for students to recognize, appreciate, and utilize these elements and principles in increasingly complex ways through observation and composition.

Skills that are introduced and developed in fourth and fifth grade encourage the students to:

ELEMENTS OF ART
• Identify and use elements of color, line, shape, form, pattern, texture, and dark/light theories.

PRINCIPLES OF ART
• Identify and create variety, contrast, repetition, rhythm, and proportion in artwork.
• Identify and learn to create unity and balance in a composition.
• Express and communicate ideas using a variety of artistic forms.
• Show attention to detail.
• Create artwork in both two and three dimensions.

ART APPRECIATION
• Recognize and appreciate art elements in the work of a variety of artists and the work of other students.
• Further develop skills in artistic expression, respect for individuality, and pride in personal artistic accomplishments.
• Visit museums and galleries to experience art.

back to 4-5 Curriculum

Grades 6, 7, and 8

Students work with a growing understanding of the art elements and principles and have experience working with a variety of media and techniques. Art problems grow more complex as students develop a sense of design and as their technical skills grow. The students keep a visual notebook and are encouraged to use it for sketching, experimenting with media, class notes, and as an idea book. Students visit galleries and museums to view artworks. They are exposed to working artists through guest artists and studio visits.

Skills developed in Middle School art encourage the students to:

ELEMENTS OF ART
• Recognize and use elements of color, line, shape, form, pattern, texture, and Dark and Light theories.

PRINCIPLES OF ART
• Use variety, contrast, rhythm, repetition, emphasis and proportion in their artwork.
• Create unity and balance in a composition.
• Express and communicate through the use of various art media.
• Develop the ability to create within the constraints of a medium.
• Create art work in both two and three dimensions.

ART APPRECIATION
• Recognize art elements and principles in the art works of a variety of artists and of other students.
• Develop an awareness of the art time line.
• Develop art communication skills.
• Develop awareness of the content in artwork.

back to Middle School Curriculum