Mission Statement of the Middle School Art Department

 To provide students with a sequential Visual Arts program enabling them to become engaged citizens of the world as they learn how to interpret past and present cultures, develop skills of self expression, flexibility, adaptation, higher order thinking  skills to foster collaborative and problem solving capabilities necessary for success in 21st century society. To achieve this mission, it is the intent of the middle school visual arts program to provide the highest standards of instruction incorporating the New York State, National Learning Standards for the Arts, and 21^st Century  Skills.

 Art 6 Goals (10 week program) 

Students will be able to:

  Use and understand vocabulary pertaining to the elements and principles of art. 

   Use a variety of media to express ideas in art,including but not limited to pencil, painting ( watercolor/tempera), printmaking, clay computer graphics and mixed media.

  Draw using quick sketch and modified contour techniques from daily observational practice in their sketchbooks.

  Develop the skills needed in the creative problem solving process from idea development, generation and execution. (‘think like an artist’)

  Observe and discuss works of art reflecting various styles and cultures.

  Use proper descriptive words in critiques of artworks and reflective statements.

  Use electronic media to express ideas in a visual manner.

  Art 7 Goals (40 week program)

Students will be able to:

  Use and incorporate the elements of art and principles of design in their work, critiques and reflective statements.

  Use observational techniques in drawing from life and add value to works that appear to be three dimensional.

  Understand how to write a four part art criticism. (DBQ)

  Continue skill development and media proficiency using a variety of dry and wet media including but not limited to pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, tempera, acrylic, collage).

  Develop skills with three dimensional media including but not limited to clay) in terms of space, forms and design.

  Demonstrate beginning level competencies with computer graphics using Photoshop Elements/MS Photo Story and other software) to create illustrations in color and use of basic tools.

  Demonstrate objective comparisons and reflections on use of media to best express an idea or concept to others.

  Demonstrate an understanding of various career paths in the visual arts as they prepare for high school.

  Use brainstorming as a part of the creative process and visual journaling.

  Explore various artists and the impact of periods in art history on culture and society as a whole.

  Make analytical judgments on their own creations and works of other artists in written and spoken formats.