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Visual Arts Middle School Course List

  • Visual Arts Comprehensive I & II (Length - 25 minutes)
    Target Audience: 6th Graders, 7th & 8th Graders

    This course is considered DFA's foundation course on which all other art courses are built. This course focuses primarily on the elements of art: Line, Shape, Color, Value, Form, and Texture. Students will explore and practice composing these elements in original works of art using a variety of art media. Students will also be introduced to periods of art history as well as art criticism. Students develop individual and global perspectives on art through close observation and sustained investigation. They utilize the Principles and Elements of art to solve design problems and to develop their own expressive ideas with clarity.   By exploring perspective and scale, they add new tools to expressing their point of view. Students hone observation skills and discuss works of art; develop visual arts vocabulary to describe art-making, the tools, and techniques used to produce art;  read and write about art to reinforce literacy skills; interpret artwork by providing evidence to support assertions; reflect on the process of making art. Students recognize the cultural, and historical significance of art; connect the visual arts to other disciplines; apply the skills and knowledge learned in visual arts to interpreting the world.   Students access primary resources in the community to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Students gain an awareness of careers in visual arts; learn to work independently and in teams;  gain an appreciation of art as a source of enjoyment and lifelong learning.
     

     

    Visual Arts III (Length - 55 minutes)
    Target Audience: 8th Graders

    This course is intended to build upon VA Comp 1 experience and knowledge. This course continues to focus on the elements of art: Line, Shape, Color, Value, Form, and Texture. In addition to the elements of art, students will also learn the principles of design: Unity, Rythm, Variety, Balance, Students will explore and practice composing these elements in original works of art using a variety of art media. Students will also be introduced to periods of art history as well as art criticism.  Students develop individual and global perspectives on art through close observation and sustained investigation. They utilize the Principles and Elements of art to solve design problems and to develop their own expressive ideas with clarity. By exploring perspective and scale, they add new tools to expressing their point of view. Students hone observation skills and discuss works of art; develop visual arts vocabulary to describe art-making, the tools, and techniques used to produce art; read and write about art to reinforce literacy skills; interpret artwork by providing evidence to support assertions; reflect on the process of making art. Students recognize the cultural, and historical significance of art; connect the visual arts to other disciplines; apply the skills and knowledge learned in visual arts to interpreting the world.  Students access primary resources in the community to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Students gain an awareness of careers in visual arts; learn to work independently and in teams; gain an appreciation of art as a source of enjoyment and lifelong learning.

     

    Sculpture I (Length - 55 minutes)
    Target Audience: 6th-8th Graders

    This studio course will introduce the student to various materials, processes, and elements of design. Media may include plaster, wood, clay, and found materials. This course is a hands-on exploration of sculptural techniques, concepts, and materials. Projects are designed to provide ongoing experience in additive (construction), subtractive (carving), modeling, casting, and assemblage (found object) techniques. Each student will gain confidence from learning how to operate various tools and translating an idea into an object. A historical perspective on art and sculpture will be drawn as students are introduced to various media and styles. This course meets the basic intellectual competencies for core courses including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.

     

    Sculpture II (Length - 55 minutes)
    Target Audience: 7th-8th Graders

    This studio course will introduce the student to various materials, processes, and elements of design. Media may include plaster, wood, clay, and found materials. This course is a hands-on exploration of sculptural techniques, concepts, and materials. Projects are designed to provide ongoing experience in additive (construction), subtractive (carving), modeling, casting, and assemblage (found object) techniques. Each student will gain confidence from learning how to operate various tools and translating an idea into an object. A historical perspective on art and sculpture will be drawn as students are introduced to various media and styles. This course meets the basic intellectual competencies for core courses including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.

     

    Media Arts & Graphics I, II, & III (Length - 25 minutes)
    Target Audience 6th, 7th & 8th Grade

    This course is considered DFA's foundation course on which all other art courses are built. This course focuses primarily on the elements of art: Line, Shape, Color, Value, Form, and Texture. Students will explore and practice composing these elements in original works of art using a variety of art media. Students will also be introduced to periods of art history as well as art criticism.