ART
2008-2009
The philosophy of the entire region # 10 art department has been summed up with what the district calls the “Essential Questions”. These are the K-12 essential questions in art.
1.How do artists communicate through their art?
2.How do artists solve problems?
3.How do artists describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate their own and others art work?
4.How do artists develop a professional work ethic?
5.What is the connection between art and culture?
The following concepts and skills will be covered in art classes K-4 unless noted otherwise.
CONCEPTS
Texture, color, line, shape, space, self awareness and self awareness in their environment (K-1), balance (2-4), pattern (K-3), repetition/ nonpattern (K-3), repetition (4), landscape, seascape (2-4), interior (2-4), still life (2-4), genre, portrait, nonobjective, abstract (2-4), animals, illustration (K-1), 3-dimensional, art history, art criticism and aesthetics.
SKILLS
Drawing, painting, printmaking, weaving, stitchery (K-2), cutting, tearing, gluing, sculpting (2-4), and handbuilding with clay.
Each child in art has a drawing portfolio. In kindergarten the drawing is a crayon self-portrait, “I am brushing my teeth”. The drawings are done at the beginning and end of kindergarten. At the end of the school year, the drawings are sent home so you can see your child’s individual growth. In grades 1-4, twice a year, the children do a crayon drawing, “I am jumping for an apple”. This collection is sent home at the end of grade 4.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is based on the skills and concepts covered in each individual lesson. In grades K-2 no assessment symbol is put on the artwork. The information is kept in a record book. This is done so that we may encourage growth and development without having the children focus on the grade and I can begin to have them self-assess. In grades 3-4 an assessment symbol will be on the back of the work. These are the assessment symbols we will be using:
+ = above grade level
√+ = excellent at grade level
√ = acceptable at grade level
√- = at grade level but needs improvement
- = below grade level
Self-assessment also is an important part of learning in grades 3-4 and I continue to assist the children with self-assessment.
In the art room and other specialist areas, we use the three C’s (COOPERATION, CONSIDERATION AND CONCENTRATION) to encourage positive behavior. Cooperation means to follow directions, show effort, and participate. Consideration is to show good listening skills, respect toward others and their work, clean up and care for materials. Concentration means to stay focused applying the concepts and skills of the lesson. These terms are used on the students’ progress card.
As an artist and an art educator, I encourage our students to express their creativity, solve problems, and be the best they can be. I expose them to famous artists and artwork, discuss when in history the art was created and try to get the students thinking about the “essential questions” in art. As parents, you may want to encourage your child’s growth in art education by:
1. Giving children a place to work at home. A place they feel can get messy without having to worry about it.
2. Always encourage and be interested in what your children are doing. Children see things differently so it is important that they can express themselves their way. Never work on your child’s artwork. You may want to help your child but show them on a scrap piece of paper how to improve their work and leave it up to them if they use it or not.
3. Get your children to talk about their artwork. Ask them to tell you about it, what they learned doing it, what they like and dislike about it, what famous artwork they looked at in class and what art words were used to discuss it.
4. Give children a place to display their artwork and a place they can save pieces that are important to them. (So you won’t be overwhelmed with a lot of work, I recommend at the end of each year have the children pick their favorite 5 pieces and create a portfolio of their work at home.)
5. Guide them to see art in all that they do and see each day. Take them to see art exhibits. Take rides and comment on the beauty of the countryside, the shape of the buildings, how things appear far away, and the fashions that surround our lives.
One reminder, please check your child’s schedule for “Art Day” and provide a smock (an old shirt will be fine) or “dress for mess”. I constantly remind children if paint or clay lands on their clothes, leave it alone and let someone at home take care of it. The best cleaning procedure I have found is to let the spot dry, scrape or brush off the excess, and then apply some type of stain remover and wash in cold water. As always, I look forward to a wonderfully creative and productive school year.
Mrs. Lynn Nanni