art

Art classes this year will have an art history emphasis. Each table is identified by a famous artist instead of a color or number. The tables all have a brief biography of the artist as well as several samples of that artist's work. The students gradually learn of the artist by being dismissed when I point to a picture painted by their artist or when information is given about their artist; such as "the table who's artist was one of the founding father's of Impressionism may line up." The "Monet" table must be able to identify the connection of their artist to the Impressionist movement. The students will learn new information about their artist throughout the quarter and about every new quarter the seating arrangements will be changed and the students will learn about a new artist.

I have also discovered a new favorite structure "Four Corners." Four works of art are selected and the students must select their favorite one and be able to use art terminology to explain their selection. This helps improve their art appreciation as well as their ability to criticize.

15 ways an art education helps children develop and grow

Why is art so important? Is it really integral to a comprehensive education? The following are examples how art education helps students develop and grow. These can also be considered as the goals of an art experience, or as evaluation criteria for projects and activities.

1. Develops creative thinking.

2. Provides means of self-expression and communication.

3. Serves as an emotional release.

4. Strengthens a student's self-concept and self-confidence.

5. Increases self-understanding.

6. Heightens Aesthetic awareness and sensitivity.

7. Enhances the ability to visualize.

8. Encourages creative problem-solving/decision-making.

9. Develops an appreciation for the individuality of others.

10. Leads to the integration of the individual.

11. Serves as a balance to classroom activities.

12. Aids physical coordination.

13. Develops work habits and a sense of responsibility.

14. Aids the adult in understanding and helping the child.

15. Generates joy.

"A man paints with his brains not with his hands." -- Michelangelo

Visual Arts Concept Planning
Grade Level	1st 9 Weeks	2nd 9 Weeks	3rd 9 Weeks	4th 9 Weeks
Kindergarten	Lines Straight, curved, angled Shapes Geometric Colors Primary	Space Dimension, size, boundaries Pattern Repetition, lines, shapes, colors Texture Smooth, rough	Contrast Color, size, texture, shape	Balance Formal Emphasis Focal Point
First Grade	Lines Straight, curved, angled, vertical, horizontal, diagonal Shapes Geometric, Free-form, symbols Colors Primary, secondary	Space Overlapping, background, foreground Pattern Repetition, Lines, shapes, colors Texture Smooth, rough, bright, dull	Contrast Realistic, abstract, color, size, texture, shape Movement/Rhythm Active lines	Balance Symmetry, asymmetry Emphasis Focal point, variety Unity Harmony
Second Grade	Lines Straight, curved, angled, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, thick, thin, broken, parallel Shapes Geometric, free-form, symbols Colors Primary, secondary, warm, cool, neutral	Space Overlapping, background, foreground Pattern Repetition, Lines, shapes, colors Texture Smooth, rough, bright, dull	Contrast Realistic, abstract, color, size, shape Movement/Rhythm Active lines	Balance Asymmetry, symmetry Emphasis Focal point, variety Unity Harmony
Third Grade	Lines Straight, curved, angled, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, thick, thin, broken, parallel Shapes Geometric, free-form, symbols Colors Primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, warm, cool, neutral	Space Overlapping, background, foreground, positive, negative Pattern Repetition, planned, complex, alternating Texture Smooth, rough, bright, dull, tactile	Contrast Abstract, realistic, color, size, texture, shape, value Movement/Rhythm Active lines, random, regular	Balance Formal, symmetry, asymmetry Emphasis Focal point, variety, color, size, mood Unity harmony, repetition
Fourth Grade	Lines Straight, curved, angled, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, thick, thin, broken, parallel, contour, gesture Shapes Geometric, free-form, symbols Colors Primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, warm, cool, neutral, values, shades, tints, analogous	Space Overlapping, background, foreground, positive, negative, Viewpoint, perspective Pattern Repetition, planned, complex, alternating Texture Tactile, visual	Emphasized Concept Content Contrast Abstract, Realistic, color, size, texture, shape, value Movement/Rhythm Active lines, random, regular, alternating, sequencing	Balance Formal, informal, symmetry, asymmetry, radial Emphasis Focal point, variety, color, size, mood, proportion Unity Harmony, repetition, theme, similarity
Fifth Grade	Lines Straight, curved, angled, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, thick, thin, broken, parallel, contour, gesture Shapes Geometric, free-form, symbols Colors Primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, warm, cool, neutral, values, shades, tints, analogous, monochromatic	Space Overlapping, background, foreground, positive, negative, Viewpoint, perspective Pattern Repetition, planned, complex, alternating Texture Tactile, visual	Contrast Abstract, Realistic, color, size, texture, shape, value, color schemes Movement/Rhythm Active lines, random, regular, alternating, sequencing	Balance Formal, informal, symmetry, asymmetry, radial Emphasis Focal point, variety, color, size, mood, proportion Unity Harmony, repetition, theme, similarity