Elementary Art Curriculum

Rolling Acres Elementary School supports the Pennsylvania Arts and Humanities Standards that are on the verge of becoming passed into law by the state. The district's art curriculum will be revised during the 2003-04 school year.

There are four areas in the arts standards that our lessons incorporate. They are art production, knowledge of historical and cultural contexts, critical response, and aesthetic response. Here are our "art lessons at a glance."

Kindergarten: Note change in schedule-no art classes for this grade level

Pre-First:
Emphasis is given to one of the purposes of making art, to communicate ideas. Students examine noted illustrators of children's literature and look at ways to use themes and elements of art in their illustrations to communicate the ideas of their stories effectively.

Grade One:
Classes focus on where artists get their images for drawing and painting - their memory, their imagination, and from observation. Students are introduced to color theory (primary and secondary colors), sculpture, and relief art. Learning about famous artists like Picasso and van Gogh and exploring aspects of the Asian culture are taught.

Grade Two:
Students learn about the elements of art: shape, line, color, and texture and are able to identify and discuss these elements in a work of art. Students learn the difference between portrait, landscape, and still life art. During the second half of school, computers are introduced as a way to make art. Making figure sculptures with ceramic clay, and basic weaving techniques are also taught.

Grade Three:
Students learn more about painting techniques; review the elements of art; continue using an art portfolio to help with assessment; learn how to use foreground, middleground, and background objects to create space in drawing and painting; learn the meaning of two and three dimensional art and practice construction techniques in sculpture production. They learn about art made long ago and the meaning of an art history timeline.

Grade Four:
There is an emphasis on drawing faces and figures accurately. Students learn about important artists from Pennsylvania and are introduced to printmaking techniques and ceramic pottery techniques. Drawing with one point perspective and shading techniques is taught. Students also reinforce knowledge about the elements of art and portfolio assessment.

Art Enrichment:
These students are automatic members of the Rolling Acres Chapter of the Pennsylvania Art Club and fulfill duties of being a club member. One of the duties is to help make the school more beautiful by making art to decorate the school using timely themes. Students are also able to make art according to their own interests. All students in the fourth grade art enrichment classes keep a sketchbook.

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