Art

What is the nature of Art in Grades 7 & 8?

The art course studied by Grade 7 and 8 students is designed to ignite the student’s love and passion for art, whilst teaching them valuable skills, which will be built upon from Grade 7 to Grade 8. Students will experience a wide range of artistic approaches and techniques, and develop an understanding of the formal elements of art and design. The course is designed to encourage students to become independent learners, and inquisitive artists with unique ideas and creative solutions. Students will look at art from a range of different artists, times and places, and will apply some of these techniques and styles to their own work.

What is the approach to learning?

During Grade 7 and Grade 8, students will be faced with a series of challenges, giving them the opportunity to work in and learn skills in 2D and 3D techniques, and to work individually and in groups. They will learn observational drawing techniques, learn to work in pencil, paint, oil pastel, chalks, collage, and learn to work in 3D with card, wire, paper-mache and other model making materials.

Students will sometimes work in sketchbooks, and sometimes on large pieces out of the books. There will be an emphasis in each project on observational drawing, experimentation, development of ideas, and creating personal and imaginative conclusions.

What is the subject content?

Projects may vary from year to year but a typical year will include a drawing and observation project, a 3D design and making project, and a textiles based project. For example, a Grade 7 year might include a project on Drawing and formal qualities of art, looking at Cubism and still life, where students are encouraged to make work which expresses something about themselves. They will develop observational drawing and painting skills, and will learn to develop an idea from conception to conclusion. They may then study the architecture of Gaudi and Hundertwasser, and design and then make a 3D city as a large group project using various construction techniques, which they will learn. Lastly, they might look at patterns found in textiles from different countries in South East Asia and other parts of the world, and learn a range of collage, batik and printing techniques. Grade 8 students will have the year broken down into three projects covering the same skills, but at a more advanced level and with different content in the focus of the projects.

What is the nature of assessment?

Students will be self and peer assessed during all projects, with formative and summative assessment taking place by the teacher. They will be assessed against common standards, and learn how to move up to the next level. Homework will be assessed in a variety of ways –sometimes with comments on how to improve and what has been successful, sometimes a grade, again supported by comments. Also throughout the year, in line with assessments from all subjects, parents will receive regular assessment grades on Teamie showing students attainment and progress throughout the year.

Students in art will be assessed on 4 criteria within their work:

-Knowledge and Understanding -Thinking Creatively -Developing Skills -Reflection and response

Within each criteria there are different standards, so students will receive feedback on each individual standard so they know how to make progress in future projects.