"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt Elements and Principles of ArtThese are the building blocks used to create a work of art. I tell the students to think of the elements as the ingredients in a recipe (or work of art) and the principles as the recipe. We include a discussion of these in every lesson as we do art critiques and talk about what we see in the work of students or established artists. Click here to explore some of the elements and principles of art.
Elements Principles Line Balance Shape Pattern Color Emphasis Value Unity Texture Rhythm Form Space Space Movement Contrast Resource Links |
Choice Based Art EducationThe Rochester Public Schools art curriculum is based on the Minnesota Visual Art Standards. We may meet some of the standards several times throughout the year and some only once. The approach I use to teach my students is Choice Based Art Education, sometimes also called Teaching for Artistic Behaviors, and our learning goals are always based on the standards. Choice Based Art Education sees students as artists and offers them choices for responding to their own ideas and interests through art centers. This approach allows for differentiation and helps students develop 21st century skills (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration).
A typical class starts with a 5-10 minute mini lesson focused on art history, art criticism, art techniques followed by studio time, clean-up and finally sharing / reflection. The room is set-up with art media stations on the perimeter of the room and when it is time to work, the artists may go to any open station to get their tools and begin creating. The biggest shift that comes with using this approach is that the art kids are creating actually looks like kid art! We talk about experimental art vs. finished art. Experimental art happens when an artist tries a new art medium and finished art has expectations: goal bound, creative, neat, complete, and took at least two art times to create. I believe kids are better able to learn when they are given choices in how they create their art and take more ownership in their final piece because they are producing their creative thoughts instead of mine. Click here to see how our studio is set up. Standards and Curriculum Below is our curriculum for the district which is based on the MN State Visual Arts Standards and divided into two semesters. Click on the different grades to see more specifics about their standards and images of their work.
Kindergarten: Identify the tools, materials, and techniques from a variety of 2D and 3D media 1st Grade: Identify the tools, materials, and techniques from a variety of 2D and 3D media 2nd Grade: Create original 2D and 3D artworks to express ideas, experiences, or stories; Share and describe a personal artwork; Compare and contrast the characteristics of a variety of visual artworks 3rd Grade: Identify the characteristics of visual artworks from a variety of cultures; Revise artworks based on feedback of others; Reflect on presentation based on the feedback of others 4th Grade: Describe the tools, materials and techniques from a variety of 2D and 3D media; Describe how visual art communicates meaning; Create original 2D and 3D artworks to express specific artistic ideas; Justify personal interpretations and reactions to works of art 5th Grade: Describe how the principles of art are used in the creation, presentation, or response to visual artworks; Identify characteristics of Western and non-Western styles, movements, and genres in art; Describe personal, social, cultural or historical contexts that influence creation of visual artworks including the contributions of MN American Indian tribes; Revise artworks and presentation based on feedback of others and self-reflection; Select and assemble artworks for a personal portfolio All grade levels also learn how to identify and describe the Elements of Art: line, shape, color, texture, space, value, form Clay Techniques Through the Years Kindergarten - Pinch pot 1st Grade - Pinch pot and attach using scratch, slip seal 2nd Grade - Pinch pot, attach multiple parts 3rd Grade - Pinch pot, coil, attach 4th Grade - Slab and attach 5th Grade - Use at least two of the previously taught clay techniques to create a 3D form |