Art's
Essentials is based on the Elements and Principles of Design.
It will focus on areas of Studio Art, Commercial Art, Computer
Graphics, Architecture, and Engineering. It is a multimedia
broad - based curriculum with the goal of being on the specific
skill level of each grade. The subject matter is also age -
level appropriate. This program will lay down the skills necessary
to understand and create artworks by teaching basic techniques
in a variety of media. It will challenge students while they
are learning but not be so overwhelming that they are frustrated.
It is meant to inspire success. Each lesson addresses special
needs kids as well as the gifted and talented, giving suggestions
to meet their needs. The lessons are time - tested, scope and
sequenced oriented-with one lesson building on the next. They
start out with one class lessons in kindergarten, getting longer
and more difficult with each grade level. Each lesson is tied
to a time period in art, focusing on just the most important
artists of that school of thought. It does not ask students
to copy famous artists, but rather teaches understanding of
their importance and uses them for inspiration while encouraging
students to develop their own style. The lessons reveiw history
of the media and techniques, use today, and future possibilities.
The arts program is also cross curriculum, showing how what
we are doing in art relates to what they are learning in the
classroom. Not that we are there to back up classroom teachers,
but that our program and what we are teaching can and does effect
other areas of learning. The curriculum is meant to be flexible
as all elementary art classes have to adjust their schedules
to take in special testing, field trips, programs, fire drills,
tornado drills, and whatever else gets thrown our way. Above
all, as should be the goal of any curriculum, it is meant to
develop well rounded, well educated, cultural citizens that
can make a positive addition to society. It is the gateway to
creative thought.
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