Student Portfolios

Perception:

Identify and respond to:

Sensory qualities and design elements in the environment and artworks

Underlying structures and design principles in the environment and artworks

Aesthetic qualities in the environment and artworks

Introductory lessons focus on multi-sensory experiences so that students develop associations between what they see and sensations of touch, motion, sounds, and the like. Students learn to perceive and begin to name visual elements such as colors, textures, and shapes.

Click here to see student samples of perception

Creative Expression :

Acquire skills to:

Develop ideas for art based on varied sources

Refine and extend ideas for visual expression

Apply design elements and principles

Use two- and three-dimensional media for expression

Students create art based on their personal experiences as well as imagination. Some ideas are developed by exploring media. Basic skills in cutting, pasting, and using clay are introduced through activities that encourage experimentation and growth in skills.

Click here to see student samples of creative expression

Culture and Heritage :

Know about:

Artworks and artistic traditions in different cultures and times

Varied influences on styles and types of artwork, past and present

Art careers and resources in the community

Types and function of art in everyday life

Students are introduced to a variety of two- and three-dimensional artworks from different cultures and eras. They learn to think about artworks as the outcome of a process that involved many decisions by the artist. They learn to identify art in their home, school and community and to think of their own creative work as art.

Informed Judgment:

Be able to:

Describe sensory and design qualities in artworks

Analyze themes and technical qualities of artworks

Interpret the expressive meaning in artworks

Cite criteria and offer reasons for judgments of artworks

Artworks are selected and introduced in ways that stimulate curiosity and interest in seeing them. Through structures questioning and conversations, students gain confidence in discussing features of artworks such as the subject matter, design qualities, and overall mood or feeling.