Visual Arts Program

A general goal for art students is to introduce them to the discipline of the visual arts. We believe that young children need to develop an understanding of art and its principles. The ability to create and appreciate art is at the core of our humanity. According to Jensen, “…the arts are not only fundamental to success in our demanding, highly technical, fast-moving world, but they are what makes us most human, most complete as people,” (2001). By introducing children to the arts, we will help foster their creativity, cultural awareness, critical thinking skills, and self esteem. Through age appropriate lessons and exercises, students will be introduced to and will develop their own knowledge of the visual arts. Students will also become art-makers and develop their own since of style and creativity. Students will achieve these goals by meeting the DODEA Visual Arts Curriculum Standards.

Below find a sample of quarterly themes and student work:

1 st Nine Weeks

American Folk Art. Students create several pieces of work that engage them and educate them on the value of American Folk Art, including a quilting project. These activities coincide with the teaching of Folk Music in music class so the arts cross the curriculum.

 

2 nd Nine Weeks

American Still Lifes and Landscapes are a central theme. Students will be involved in seven exercises which allow them to create American Images in different formats and styles.

 

3 rd Nine Weeks

Impressionist art is a central theme. Along with lessons in color theory, students create six Impressionist/ Post Impressionist projects based on using colors in intentional and creative ways. Students will also study Van Gogh’s Starry Night .

 

 

4 th Nine Weeks

Students will complete a variety of exercises focusing on Modern Art of the 20 th century including Abstract Expressionism and Modern Architecture.