ART8+Course+Description

The Middle School Visual Arts and Design Program aim is to develop students visual, vocal, critical thinking, hand manipulation, planning and process analysis skills. All art projects focus on using the elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form) and principles of design (Balance, Unity, Pattern (harmony), Emphasis, Movement, and Variety). Students also explore several mediums, materials and tools in deciding what works best for their particular purpose.

Duration: One Quarter
Grade 8 Art is an exploratory quarter long rotational course. Students will explore a variety of art mediums such as free form sculpture, still life, and conceptual art. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the design cycle by planning (dictating notes, sketches), practicing (sketches, thumbnails, side demos), producing (art piece, installation), and reflection (rubrics, self and peer assessment). They will begin to understand composition by utilizing the elements and principles of art as visual tools. The course will cover the properties and limitations of art tools and media. The class will expose students to art history while encouraging students to express themselves through visual art. Evaluation will be based on craftsmanship skills, critical thinking skills, documentation, explanations, and work habits.

__**By the end of the Grade 8 Visual Arts and Design Program students will:**__

1.1. Utilizing oil pastel, chalk, color pencil, drawing pencils and water colors to apply tint and shade values 1.2. Know the qualities and limitations of color pencils, drawing pencils, marker, paper oil pastel, crayon, wire, tape, chalk, yarn/string, cardboard and pencil and other mixed media 1.3. Uses a sketch as practice and reflection tool 2.1. Use the design cycle to structure their art projects 2.2. Use line, shape, color, texture, space and form as tools to emphasis, balance, create patterns, variety, bring unity and guide movements of the eye 3.1. Using the elements and principals as tools to discuss art values and aesthetics 3.2. Utilize subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate their conceptual idea transformed into a visual idea 4.1. Analyze how factors of time and place influenced visual characteristics that give meaning and value to a work of conceptual art 5.1. Use rubrics to guide each artwork project 5.2. Peer critique 5.3. Describe the design process at work within their and their peers’ artwork 6.1. Connecting value with mathematics and conceptual art with modern history
 * 1. Understand how to apply media, techniques and processes**
 * 2. Understand that they know how to use structures and functions of art**
 * 3. Understand how to choose and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas**
 * 4. Understand the visual arts in relationships to history and culture**
 * 5. Understand how to reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of their and the work of others**
 * 6. Understand how to make visual connections between visual arts and other disciplines**