All students at Jared Eliot Middle School take art class every other day for one semester per year.
All grade level units focus on four artistic processes. Creating: conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work. Presenting: interpreting and sharing artistic work. Responding: Understanding and evaluation how the arts convey meaning. Connecting: Relating artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context.
Through the context of art history, students will learn why and how art has been made, and that art is a reflection of all civilizations throughout time. During the course of the semester, students are exposed to a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, crafts, ceramics and sculpture. A focus on the safe use of all art materials is the foundation of all art units.
The Eliot art program is an introduction to the foundations of visual arts that continues at the Morgan school. In Grades 6-8 art students receive a letter grade for class. While grade 5 students will have standard based evaluations.
Grade five students will begin an exploration of the History of Art through an investigation of the themes, concepts and techniques exhibited in art from Prehistoric to Byzantine Art. Students will begin their semester by exploring the elements of art such as line, shape, color and texture. During the semester students will begin to learn to identify, describe and create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional artwork using a variety of media. Classes will focus on craftsmanship through the proper use of and care for materials, tools and equipment. All units will focus on self-discovery through art.
Grade six students will continue their investigation of the History of Art by exploring the themes, concepts and techniques exhibited in art from Medieval Art to Post Impressionism. Students will refine their understanding of the elements of art and expand their knowledge to include the principles of design such as balance, pattern and unity. Sixth graders will expand their artistic knowledge to create original 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional artworks using a variety of media and techniques. This process will focus on making artistic choices, as well as the safe use of all art materials.
Grade seven art will further expand the students’ understanding of the History of Art with units that focus on the themes, concepts and techniques exhibited in different styles of art from Fauvism to Non-figurative art. The students will focus on developing their ability to implement the basic elements and principles of art such value, contrast, line and rhythm into their own artwork. Grade seven students will have opportunities to develop their ability to analyze how the elements and principles of art are used in art creation. This semester will provide opportunities for students to develop their own personal artistic style. All units will also develop the students’ ability to analyze, reflect and interpret the meaning behind all works of art.
Grade eight: This course will be a culmination of the student’s exploration of the History of art with an investigation of the themes, concepts and techniques exhibited in art from Regionalism to 20th century art. The students will master their ability to implement the elements of art and principles of design into their own artwork. Using expanded art vocabulary, grade eight students will master their ability to describe, analyze, interpret and judge works of art including their own. Students will expand their own personal artistic style and focus on creating original artwork the expresses personal meaning. In addition, students will demonstrate an understanding of how their own artwork connects to various styles of art throughout history.