Upper Moreland School District

9.1 Production, performance and exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts

9.2 Historical and Cultural contexts

9.3 Critical Response

9.4 Aesthetic Response

National Art Standards:

NS1. Understanding and apply media, techniques, and processes

NS2. Understanding of structures and functions

NS3. Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

NS4. Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures

NS5. Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others

NS6. Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines

Course Description:

The goal of the Visual Art program is designed to enhance the artistic, creative and expressive qualities of all students. Art opportunities are provided for every child to learn the skills of creating, analyzing, interpreting and evaluating works of art. The Visual Art program will enable students to understand that art is a universal language interconnected to other content areas and cultures.

The Kindergarten art program is designed to introduce students to the joys of creating and viewing art. Students will experience art making as both an individual and collaborative activity. The art curriculum consists of sequential lessons and performance-based projects that include the elements of art such as line, shape, form, color (primary/secondary colors) and texture, select principles of design, references to artists and of art created in different cultures. Projects focus on the enduring themes of identity (self), change (development, life cycles, animals), lines and shapes (2-D), as well as other topics. Students in Kindergarten will be introduced to the 4-step critiquing process and to art history through the study of various artist and movements of art. Art instruction will connect to science, math, social studies, literacy, and music curriculums. Students will draw, paint, craft, sculpt, print, collage and design using a variety of media such as pencils, pastels, crayons, markers, watercolors and clay to create both 2-D and 3-D works. Students will be introduced to the safe and appropriate use of tools and materials. The program will provide a strong foundation for a primary-age student to become a life-long practitioner of art.

Specific and measurable objectives directly related to the academic standards to be achieved by students:

Specific course objectives are related to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities.

Content to be used to reach objectives:

In order to offer a comprehensive, balanced visual art program, students are offered a wide variety of materials and experiences at varied levels and interests.

Materials:

In order to offer a comprehensive art education in which students will actively view, create, analyze, interpret and critique art and incoming visual stimuli, students are offered a wide variety of materials at varied levels and to accommodate many interests.

Instructional Activities:

A standards-based Visual Arts program requires that our students develop viewing and thinking processes that are self-directed, collaborative, creative, critical, and reflective. Development of skills in art production, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism, and in visual literacy will be developed through the following instructional activities:

• Differentiated instruction
• Audio-visual presentations
• Problem-solving
• Research
• Hands-on activities
• Cooperative learning
• Use of various tools and equipment
• Written and verbal critiques – self, peer, group
• Estimated instructional time to be devoted to achieving objectives:
• 40 minutes a week for 36 weeks

Procedures for measurement of student progress will include:

• A variety of oral, written and performance assessments will be used to determine student progress.
• Projects
• Performance Assessments
• Sketches
• Written Assessments
• Oral Critiques
• Formal and Informal Teacher Observations

An explanation of how student grades will be determined:

A student's grade will be determined by levels of participation, completion of projects, engagement with learning opportunities, critical thinking, and demonstration of skills. Assignments will vary in weight and will be used collectively to determine a student's grade.