6th Grade: Art Inspirations - 9 weeks
Our sixth-grade art program focuses on Communication. Art is a way of "knowing." It is not just an object, but a way of creating and looking in a thoughtful, organized, and imaginative way. It is Visual Literacy; the ability to decode and create non-verbal messages. Throughout this course, students are provided with the opportunity to experience and produce art exploring a wide variety of media, tools, and techniques that include drawing, painting, and sculpting in clay while learning appropriate craftsmanship and care of tools. Creative problem solving and critical-thinking skills in the production, perception, and criticism of artistic expression are stressed.
Key questions:
What has been said throughout time? (key recurring themes)
What do I think about it? (learning to read and appreciate the art of others while forming a personal educated opinion based on acquired knowledge and standards)
What are some ways that I can express my ideas?
Students develop confidence in their individual artistic abilities as they implement strategies and skills in projects that enable them to produce effective, unique, and multiple solutions to problems posed.
7th Grade: Creative Connections - 12 weeks
There are visual languages to be learned so we can read the expressions of others and that will enable us to express our ideas effectively and eloquently. Each culture and time period has its own visual language that is both culturally specific and universal.
Our world values unique and creative ideas. While looking at the world from different points of view and exploring other cultures through their arts, cultural creativity will encourage you to use your imagination to explore, develop, and express your own ideas through hands-on experiences with a variety of art techniques and materials. Throughout this course, students are provided with the opportunity to experience and produce art exploring a wide variety of media, tools, and techniques that include drawing, painting, and sculpting in clay while learning appropriate craftsmanship and care of tools.
Key questions:
How do we express our beliefs and values through art and artifacts?
What factors influence artistic expressions? How are cultural concerns similar or dissimilar? How can we personally create art that expresses our ideas and culture?
How does this knowledge affect us and how can it assist us in the future?
8th Grade: The Artist in YOU!
Today’s world is about ideas. What kind of creative and imaginative thinking is used by architects, fashion, game and car designers, cartoonists and animators...? Learn to look at our world in new and different ways and use time for in-depth exploration of ideas and materials that will encourage your personal expression. Our historical emphasis is on world-wide contemporary and American artists as well as creative thinking and problem-solving skills that are important “survival skills” for the changing, future workplace. Students will be challenged in advanced drawing, painting, and sculpture activities.
Key questions:
What are artists saying today?
How does that reflect American society? World issues? Personal experiences?
What issues in today’s world motivate me to respond personally?
What do I want to say and how can I say it?
What are career options in the visual arts? How has technology influenced the art field and professions?<
