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 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 Fourth Grade art program is designed for students to continue 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 (color mixing) and texture, select principles of design. Fourth grade students will continue to employ the creative process when planning art projects. Students will conceive a unique idea that meets each project's specific requirements, explore (seek and find images/information to aid the production of the art work), develop (draw three-four thumbnail sketches/preliminary sketches), and execute a resolution (a finished product). Along with making art, students will learn about art history through references to artists and of art created in different cultures. Students will be introduced to the philosophy of art (aesthetics) and to art criticism through self and peer evaluation and through critiquing art created by others. Projects focus on the enduring themes of rites of passage, life cycles and relationships as well as other topics. Art instruction will connect science, math, social studies, technology and literacy curriculums. Students will draw, paint, craft, sculpt, print, collage, design using a variety of media such as pencils, chalk/oil pastels, crayons, markers, watercolors, tempera, India ink, cloth, paper, found objects, and clay to create both 2-D and 3-D works. Students will continue to practice safe and appropriate use of tools and materials. The program will provide a strong foundation for an elementary-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 both the Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities and the National Visual Arts Standards.

Content to be used to reach objectives:

In order to offer a comprehensive, balanced 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:

This class will meet once a week for 40 minutes for approximately 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.
• Performance Assessments
• Teacher Observation
• Checklist
• Projects
• Process Portfolio
• Critiques
• Journals/Sketchbooks
• Written Assessments

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 be used collectively to determine a student's grade.