Division:  Middle School

Department: Fine and Performing Arts:  VISUAL ARTS

Course Title/Code:  Visual Arts7/8   ARTVA400 

(7^th and 8^th Grade, 5 days/week,  year-long) 

Course Description:  Middle School visual arts classes create a time to explore various media and learn more advanced artistic principles. Students have the opportunity to investigate the divergent disciplines of drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and crafts. Through these various disciplines students study the visual elements of line, shape, positive/negative space, color, and craftsmanship. Students also begin to develop their artistic vocabulary and critiquing skills, as well as their artistic style.

Goals

The 7^th and 8^th grade Visual Arts curriculum offers students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of artistic techniques and principles.  Students will gain further knowledge of the artistic elements and principles through a diverse choice of mediums.  In addition, each student will design and execute an independent art project of their choice.  Each grade level will explore an art technique as an integrated effort with science, literature or history. 

Skills 

• Develop awareness of the diversity within the Visual Arts
• Introduce and expand the five perceptual skills of drawing: perception of edges, perception of spaces, perception of relationships, perception of lights and shadows, and the perception of the whole
• Reinforce knowledge of the color wheel, hue, value, intensity, color schemes, and moods of color for more effective use of color in artwork
• Incorporate the proper use of balance, variety, harmony, emphasis, movement, texture, and unity into art projects
• Acquire a greater understanding of the artist within, and how to better transmit feelings into visual images
• Identify several artists by their style and use of elements and principles of design
• Develop new artistic techniques from the study of the Masters
• Learn the use of tools and techniques for a variety of mediums
• Identify and investigate several unfamiliar art mediums for independent art projects
• Develop a plan for an independent art project including materials, design, and procedure
• Relate artwork to other course material from science, literature, or history
• Explore the use of materials in the creation of 3D art forms

Activities/Content

• Students will develop drawing techniques with pencil, colored pencil, markers, pen and ink, chalk, and oil pastels
• Students will learn the advantages and limitations of tempura, acrylic, watercolor, and oil paints
• Students will expand their ceramic knowledge through hand building techniques and surface decoration
• Students will explore various 3D mediums such as clay, wire, recyclables, paper mache, and paper sculpture
• Students will investigate several mediums such as mosaics, weaving, mosaics, Gallery Glass, textile art and dying, printmaking, handmade paper, collage, and mixed media in preparation for independent art projects
• Students have the opportunity to display finished artwork in the MS hallways, the Fine Arts complex, during the Cary Academy Arts Festival, and displays and competitions in the vicinity

Assessment

• Art projects are graded on rubrics with specific criteria and expectations for each assignment  (click here for MS assessment page)
• Students receive studio grades which reflect commitment to work during class

This grade is based on the following criteria:

1.       Student is focused on class activities

2.       Student takes initiative to pursue excellence in work

3.       Student is able to work independently at appropriate times

4.       Student shows responsibility for cleaning and caring for art supplies 

Resources: The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

                     Know the Artists Program by Crystal Productions Company

                      Understanding Art by Rosalind Ragans and Jane Rhoades

                      Exploring Art by Gene Mittler and Rosalind Ragans

                      Various  internet sites are used by students conducting research