Course Information

How We Learn in Art

Each quarter, students complete approximately five major art projects. Major projects are designed to build artistic skills through instruction, practice, application, and reflection.

Before beginning a major project, students are taught the techniques, materials, and processes they will need. Students then practice these skills through smaller exercises and skill-building activities before applying them to a larger project. The major project provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding and growing mastery of the skills they have learned.

Projects also incorporate historical, cultural, and contemporary connections to help students understand how artists use art to communicate ideas, express experiences, solve problems, and respond to the world around them.

Not every assignment is intended to be a finished or polished artwork. Students will also complete skill practices, warm-ups/do-nows, studies, experiments, and process-based activities. These assignments are important opportunities to take risks, practice new skills, learn from mistakes, and develop as artists.

Elements of Art & Principles of Design

The Elements of Art and Principles of Design are the foundation of our visual arts curriculum. Students learn to recognize, discuss, analyze, and intentionally use these concepts in their own artwork.

These concepts are incorporated into our projects, discussions, demonstrations, critiques, and assessments and are aligned with state and district standards.

Studio Habits

Studio Habits are the routines and behaviors that help our art classroom remain safe, organized, productive, and respectful. A student's Studio Habits grade reflects how consistently they contribute to a positive studio environment and use class time responsibly.

Throughout each class, students are expected to:

• Be prepared and ready to learn: Have the materials you need and be ready to begin when class starts.

• Use studio time productively: Stay focused, work toward your goals, and avoid distracting yourself or others.

• Listen and follow directions: Pause and listen during demonstrations, instructions, announcements, and other important information.

• Use materials and tools responsibly: Follow directions, use supplies appropriately, and avoid unnecessary waste.

• Respect shared materials: Take what you need, share appropriately, and return materials to their proper locations.

• Maintain an organized workspace: Keep personal belongings and unnecessary items away from your workspace so that you have room to work safely.

• Take care of artwork: Put your name on work when required and store unfinished artwork in its designated location.

• Respect others: Treat classmates, their artwork, ideas, personal space, and materials with care. Never touch or interfere with another student's work without permission.

• Clean up thoroughly: Return materials, clean tools and brushes, close containers, dispose of scraps and trash properly, wipe tables when needed, and leave shared areas ready for the next class.

• Practice safe studio behavior: Walk in the classroom, use tools correctly, and follow all safety expectations.

• Use technology appropriately: When technology is permitted, use it only for the assigned purpose and follow classroom expectations.

• Use class time responsibly until dismissal: Continue working or completing cleanup responsibilities until you are dismissed. Do not begin packing up early unless instructed.

Good studio habits are part of being an artist. My vision of a successful art class community depends on everyone doing their part to create a space where we can work safely, take creative risks, learn from one another, and make art.