Art

An integral component of educating the whole child, our art program builds on a child’s natural need for self-expression and a sense of wonder. Students understand how all cultures use the visual arts to share their history, values, and aesthetics. Through exploration and teacher guidance, students develop alternative means of expressing ideas, experiences, and stories. Visual problem solving promotes new ways of thinking, working, communicating, reasoning, investigating, and evaluating. Each student builds upon and implements art process skills while exploring context and individual expression. The elements and principles of design are foundational. At the same time, joy, discovery, and confidence are nurtured and celebrated.

A spiraling curriculum, art balances process with product. Activities are designed to enhance visual perception so that students “see” the world around them with heightened awareness. They progress developmentally, moving from exposure to various art media to manipulating and creating at increasing levels of complexity.

Student goals include:

• Developing fine motor skills.

• Creating unique and innovative art.

• Learning, applying, and synthesizing art process skills.

• Collaborating throughout the artistic process.

• Developing an appreciation for art in its various forms.

• Taking risks and learning from successes and failures.

• Building a storehouse of visual images.

• Integrating skills and concepts learned across all disciplines.

• Reflecting deliberately throughout the artistic process.