AASD ART CURRICULUM Middle School Art Description Credits Prerequisites Textbooks/Resources Required Assessments District-wide, standards-based assessments Revised AASD Art Goals for K-12 Students To nourish creativity. Foster useful communication skills. Prepare students with marketable skills for the world of work. Encourage self discipline and persistence. Learn about human nature and culture. Learn about cultural diversity in an increasing diverse nation. Students should learn that Art is basic to life. It is the language of human expression, understanding, and functionality. It conveys meaning to the world around us. Page 1
AASD Art Standards for Grades K-12 Students I. Stretch and Explore A. Learn critical thinking skills by analyzing physical and conceptual problems presented in artistic endeavors Learning to reach beyond one s capacity, to explore without a B. Develop multiple solutions to challenges involved in the creative process through the use of problem-solving and adaptability skills preconceived plan and to embrace the opportunity to learn C. Explore creativity skills by searching for effective, artistic visual expression that is uniquely individual to the student from mistakes and accidents. II. Envision A. Use problem solving skills to visualize outcomes during all phases of the creative process Learning to picture mentally what B. Cultivate creativity and innovation skills by conceiving ideas prior to taking action cannot be directly observed and C. Generate unique solutions to visual problems through self-direction and personal initiative imagine possible next steps in making a piece. III. Engage and Persist A. Develop and assemble a collection of work that reflects personal productivity and work ethic Learning to embrace problems of relevance within the art world B. Discover through personal initiative that the best solutions to visual problems are often found after working through struggles and frustrations and/or of personal importance C. Promote adaptability by developing multiple solutions to problems involved in the creative process to develop focus and other mental states conducive to working and persevering at art tasks. IV. Express Learning to create works that convey an idea, a feeling, or personal meaning A. Build skills that use imagination and artwork to communicate ideas and feelings (innovation and creativity skills) B. Develop an awareness of a larger global community (global awareness) C. Value the positive health and wellness benefits derived from creative expression V. Observe A. Sharpen ability to identify details through contextual learning Learning to attend to visual B. Investigate the visual world more closely by incorporating information and media skills contexts more closely than C. Be self directed to see beyond the ordinary ordinary looking requires, and thereby to see things that otherwise might not be seen. Page 2
AASD Art Standards for Grades K-12 Students (Continued) Content Strand Content Standard VI. Reflect A. Adapt to new challenges by creating solutions to problems (problem solving) Question and explain: learning to think and talk with others about B. Develop collaboration and communication skills necessary to express and articulate opinions about their own artwork and the artwork of others an aspect of one s work or C. Practice social responsibility in speaking to peers about their artwork working process. Evaluate: learning to judge one s own work and working process, and the work of others in relation to standards of the field. VII. Develop Craft A. Recognize the importance of personal responsibility when learning to care for tools, material and space Learning to use tools, materials, B. Apply a positive work ethic and self direction as they focus their ability to cultivate projects and artistic conventions to produce images and objects using varied media, techniques, C. Imagine and invent unique images and objects using varied media, technique and processes (creativity and innovation skills) D. Understand and implement the elements of art and principles of design to complete unique works of art and processes. VIII. Understand the Art World A. Connect their knowledge and skills in art to careers in humanities, sciences, and technology Learning about art history and B. Identify and use art as a basic way of thinking and communicating about the world current practice and to interact C. Draw inspiration from art of their own and other cultures past and present (global awareness) as an artist with other artists and D. Use information and media skills to explore the art world within the broader society. Page 3
1. Engage in creative problem solving throughout the art making process a. Devises and uses strategies for imagining and implementing images. b. Develops multiple solutions in problem solving and discusses that some solutions are better than others. c. Recognizes and discusses that concepts and images from a variety of sources can be used to create original art. d. Develops multiple solutions, discusses their quality, and applies to creative problem solving. e. Responds to positive attention and suggestions from others. g. Plans and organizes for creating art. h. Utilizes concepts and images from a variety of sources to create original art. Class/Small Group Critiques I. Stretch and Explore; II: Envision; IV: Express 2. Apply a variety of 2-D and 3-D art making techniques to create a work of art from start to finish a. Communicates and expresses ideas through a variety of materials and techniques. b. Demonstrates the safe and responsible use of tools and materials. c. Evaluates and selects materials, techniques, and processes to facilitate the creation of artwork. d. Demonstrates techniques and processes for working with each art material. e. Uses appropriate techniques and processes for working with each material. f. Continues to explore unique properties and potential of materials and media. Classroom Observations Written Responses and Evaluations Presentations II. Envision; III. Engage and Persist; IV. Express; VII. Develop Craft Page 4
3. Apply the elements and principles of art and design a. Demonstrates knowledge of elements of art and principles of design in art production b. Identify the elements of art and principles of design in their art work and the artwork of others c. Learn and use the vocabulary of art and design d. Describes ways the art elements and design principles interrelate within all arts disciplines. Class/Small Group Critiques Written Assessment Verbal Discussions I. Stretch and Explore; IV. Express; VII: Develop Craft 4. Understand a variety of world/other cultures through art and art making. a. Knowledge of the existence of art movements, periods, and styles. b. Recognizes and discusses that cultures have different aesthetics and each individual is a product of his or her culture. c. Recognizes and identifies different aesthetics among cultures d. Recognize that the visual arts have a history, purpose and function in all cultures. e. Compares relationships of works of art to one another in terms of history, aesthetics and cultural/ethnic groups. District Assessment Written Responses Classroom Discussion Sketchbook/Journals V. Observe; VII. Develop Craft; VIII. Understand the Art World Page 5
5. Creatively express their thoughts and ideas throughout the art process (emotions, cultural, political statements, etc..) in response to the world around them. a. Demonstrates the use of life surroundings and personal experiences to express ideas and feelings visually. b. Interprets the world around them through art. c. Invents original and personal imagery to convey meaning and not rely on copying, tracing, patterns, or duplicated materials. d. Applies subjects, symbols and ideas in artworks e. Describes the various purposes for creating works of visual art. Writing Samples District Assessment Class Discussions I: Stretch and Explore; II: Envision; IV: Express; 6. Revise and reflect upon their art work throughout the art making process a. Uses one s mistakes as part of the creative process. b. Recognizes the constructive role of failure as a part of the creative process. c. Critiques artwork to develop the use of: proper vocabulary, art elements and design principles, meaning, feeling, mood and ideas, oral and written expression. f. Accepts constructive criticism. g. Accepts their own work and ideas as unique expression of themselves Class/Small Group Critiques Student-Teacher Conferencing Reflective Questioning Sketchbook/Journals Self Assessments I. Stretch and Explore; II. Envision; V. Observe; VI. Reflect Page 6
7. Evaluate both their art work and the work of other artists. a. Uses art vocabulary to discuss the characteristics of artwork and work of other artists. b. Expresses opinion about artistic preferences c. Begin to make judgments about the quality of their own artwork and purpose of art created by other artists. Class Discussions Reflective Questioning Evaluations District assessment III: Engage and Persist; V: Observe; VI: Reflect; VIII. Understand the Art World the Art World 8. Develop an awareness of the relevance of art in the real world and across other disciplines. a. Describes ways the art elements and design principles interrelate within all arts disciplines. b. Lists and discusses art professions. c. Develops an awareness of art as a profession. d. Identifies how various technologies affect visual arts and other disciplines. e. Discusses the involvement in art of people of all ages to include visiting museums/galleries, making art, reading or writing about art and artists, buying art, and teaching and volunteering in the arts. f. Realizes the purposes for creating works of visual art. Class Discussions Collaboration with other Disciplines Reflective questioning I: Stretch and Explore; VI: Reflect; VIII. Understand the Art World Resources and learning activities that address course objectives: Page 7