Fourth Grade

Standards of Excellence

Creating

VA4.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.

a. Utilize multiple approaches to plan works of art incorporating imaginative ideas, universal themes, and symbolic images.

b. Apply available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the process of making works of art.

c. Produce multiple prototypes in the planning stages for a work of art (e.g. sketches, 3D models).

VA4.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.

a. Create original works of art that communicate values, opinions, and/or feelings.

b. Create works of art emphasizing multiple elements of art and/or principles of design.

c. Create representational works of art from direct observation (e.g. landscape, still life, portrait).

VA4.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, processes, and concepts of twodimensional art.

a. Apply drawing and painting techniques with a variety of media (e.g. pencil, crayon, pastel, charcoal, tempera, watercolor, acrylic).

b. Incorporate printmaking processes to create works of art (e.g. monoprints, collographs, Styrofoam prints, editions).

c. Combine materials in creative ways to make works of art (e.g. mixed-media, collage, available technology).

d. Apply understanding of multiple color schemes to create works of art (e.g. monochromatic, analogous, neutral, complementary).

e. Explore multiple spatial concepts to create works of art (e.g. one point perspective, atmospheric perspective, positive and negative space).

VA4.CR.4 Understand and apply media, techniques, processes, and concepts of threedimensional art.

a. Create clay objects, incorporating multiple clay techniques and methods (e.g. pinch, coil, slab, score, slip, join).

b. Create open or closed form sculptures using selected methods/techniques (e.g. papiermâché, paper sculpture, assemblage, found object sculpture).

c. Create works of art using traditional and/or contemporary craft methods (e.g. weaving, stitchery, jewelry, puppetry).

VA4.CR.5 Demonstrate an understanding of the safe and appropriate use of materials, tools, and equipment for a variety of artistic processes.

Presenting

VA4.PR.1 Plan and participate in appropriate exhibition(s) of works of art to develop identity of self as artist.

a. Prepare works of art for exhibition with signature, title, and/or artist statement on finished work.

b. Choose works of art to be displayed based on thoughtful reflection.

Responding

VA4.RE.1 Use a variety of approaches for art criticism and to critique personal works of art and the artwork of others to enhance visual literacy.

a. Interpret and evaluate works of art through thoughtful discussion and speculation about the mood, theme, and intentions of those who created a work of art.

b. Explain how selected elements and principles of design are used in works of art to convey meaning.

c. Use a variety of approaches to engage in verbal and/or written art criticism.

d. Use a variety of strategies to critique, discuss, and reflect on personal works of art and the work of peers.

Connecting

VA4.CN.1 Investigate and discover the personal relationships of artists to community, culture, and the world through making and studying art.

a. Recognize the unique contributions of contemporary and/or historical art forms, including Georgia artists.

b. Compare and contrast ideas and universal themes from diverse cultures of the past and present.

c. Discuss how social, political, and/or cultural events inspire art.

d. Investigate ways in which professional artists contribute to the development of their communities (e.g. architects, painters, photographers, interior and fashion designers, educators, museum educators).

VA4.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art.

a. Apply art skills and knowledge to improve understanding in other disciplines.

b. Describe and discuss various art-related careers and how design impacts daily life (e.g. art historian, art critic, curator, web designer, game designer, fine artist).

VA4.CN.3 Develop life skills through the study and production of art (e.g. collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication).

Classroom Activities

Creating

Visual thinking strategies are used every class to look carefully at art from around the world and across time. These discussions often include contextual information about the artist, time period, and ideas in the art.

Like all artists we find inspiration from the world around us and the world of art. We make art from our own ideas and experiment with the elements of art and principles of design as we learn to make our ideas real.

In fourth grade we work to continue to work with materials and further explore how we can use them to make our ideas real. We work to plan out our idea and use depth techniques to make our artwork more like real life when we want to. We focus more on how we can refine and improve our use of materials to communicate our ideas.

Materials we explore include but are not limited to:

  • paper

  • markers

  • crayons

  • oil pastels

  • water color

  • tempera cake

  • liquid tempera paint

  • glue

  • scissors

  • hole punchers

  • clay

  • blocks

  • Legos

  • cardboard

  • mirrors

  • manikins

  • yarn

  • resist painting

  • subtractive printmaking

  • additive printmaking

  • paper mache










Presenting

We have ongoing discussions of what makes a work of art complete and offer each other ideas for how we might add to our artworks to improve or change them through whole groups and small group critiques and sharing. To assist them in reflecting and using the vocabulary of art, student complete an artist statement after each artwork which includes the choice to display the work.


Responding

We practice Visual thinking strategies when we look at the artwork of professional and peer artists. We use these strategies to look deeply at the artwork and draw our own conclusions about intent, meaning, and the artwork itself. We practice explaining our ideas to each other using the art as evidence. We also use this time to practice the vocabulary of art. Student Artists have the opportunity to share artwork in progress or completed with the class, as well as discuss their ideas while working and in small group critiques.




Connecting

The world of art is huge and diverse and I strive to introduce some of that breadth to my students. We look at works from around the world, around the corner, and the class up the hall. We discuss how artists find ideas in their lives, surroundings, other artists, and imaginations. We also explore the careers and jobs that include art making and creative thinking. We look for connections to other things we are learning and ideas in our own lives.

We are always reminding ourselves that art is a form of communication that requires us to use our critical thinking and creativity both individually and collaboratively.