The visual arts program strives to develop students' artistic skills and their knowledge of art history. In the early grades, students are introduced to the art tools, techniques, and materials needed to explore lines, shapes, color, textures, contours, and design. Each successive year, students learn more advanced techniques. Perceptual skills in drawing are introduced formally in the fourth grade. In addition, each class makes the scenery and props for their annual drama productions. The visual arts program encourages students' creativity and self-expression and motivates them to use art as a tool for exploring other disciplines.
Kindergarten
Topics
- Explore media
- Hand-eye coordination
- Exposure to recognized artists
- Intro to language of art
- Cutting, tearing, pasting, drawing
- Color mixing
- Paper-making
First Grade
- Explore media
- Expand on language of art
- Exposure to recognized artists
- Develop hand-eye coordination
- Recognition of shape & form
- Self-portraiture and figures
- Color-mixing, emotion
- Pattern-making, print-making
- Cultural identity (Chinese brush painting)
Second Grade
- Broaden language of art
- Exposure to recognized artists
- Master hand-eye coordination
- Examine elements of art and principles of design
- Symmetry and asymmetry
- Balance & design
- Collage & mixed media
- Color mixing
Third Grade
- Broaden language of art
- Exposure to recognized artists
- Understand the elements of art and principles of design
- 3-D shape & form
- Bar relief
- Papier-mâché
- Rousseau collage
- Color mixing and emotion
- Cross-curricular projects
Fourth Grade
- Broaden artistic language and understanding
- Development of specific skills, techniques
- Rendering, pencil drawing
- Color mixing (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- Design Matisse collage
- Multiculturalism, history
Fifth Grade
- Development of specific skills and techniques
- Art history
- Multiculturalism
- Calligraphy
- Native American rattles
- Contour drawing (2-D, 3-D)
- Color & value (paint & charcoal)
Sixth Grade
- Creative problem solving (2-D, 3-D)
- Mask-making
- Printmaking (linoleum carving)
- Recycle project (papier-mâché animal)
- Design
- Cross-curricular bridge project
Seventh Grade/Eighth Grade
- Advanced drawing
- Elements of art
- Pencil rendering
- Perspective plan & architecture
- Portraiture
- Renaissance (plaster figures)
- Power of color (clay busts, acrylic paintings)
- The figure in movement
- Media & message
