Visual arts
Fostering new ways of seeing the world and encouraging self-expression through choice and voice are the primary goals of the middle school visual arts program.
Grade 5 and 6 students take art throughout the year and explore a variety of media, including paint, pencil, chalk, ink, paper mache, wood, and found objects. Projects focus on creativity using observation as well as imagination in art making. Concepts central to the visual arts, such as composition, color theory, design, and perspective, are also explored. Students who wish to continue taking art in Grades 7 and 8 may choose from several visual art electives, including ceramics, digital photography, mixed media art, sculpture or wearable art.
In line with the core academic subjects, students in visual arts are assessed against a set of standards. The reporting standards below are derived from the four National Core Arts Standards of create, connect, present and respond.
Reporting standards:
- Conceives and develops new artistic ideas and work
- Relates artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context
- Interprets and shares artistic work
- Understands and evaluates how the arts convey meaning
Additionally, each student receives a performance rating on the six ASL Approaches to Learning:
- Collaborative
- Respectful
- Responsible
- Reflective
- Engaged
- Resilient