Middle School Art

Art Grade 5
The visual arts require students to participate in art production, creating imagery or objects by means of drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Throughout the year, Fifth grade students will develop an enhanced understanding of the elements of art; Line, Shape, Color, Value, Form, Texture, and Space. And the principles of design; Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Rhythm, Movement, Pattern and Unity. Art activities will focus on expanding their knowledge of these elements & principles while engaging the students in an experience that will not only be rich in itself, but lead to personal growth. Projects involve the students in imagining, exploring, reasoning, and inventing while experimenting with a plethora of materials and techniques. Students will create artwork inspired by art history, diverse cultures, and their perceptual awareness of their environment. Fifth grade meets for art class twice a week, and their artwork is exhibited in the school wide art show at the end of the year.

Graphic Design 5
Fifth-grade students will build a foundation of graphic design. After being introduced to the basic functions of a Mac computer and the safe usage of the internet, the students produce imagery through project based learning, using design programs including Adobe Photoshop, a photo manipulation and digital painting program, and Adobe In Design (a design and layout program). Some photography and the use of existing photographs is incorporated into the class projects, and the students learn to manipulate digital images by using a variety of software applications. Project ideas include digital painting, art parody, self -portraits, manipulation of art history, logo and poster design, book making, advertising, textile design and packaging. The students are introduced to historical and modern day artists, and all projects reinforce the student’s knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design. The overall goal of the graphics course is to enhance student’s critical thinking skills and confidence by exposing them to the unlimited possibilities that digital art has to offer.

Art Grade 6
The grade six Art course continues to build upon and reinforce basic skills learned throughout the Lower School Art Program. The elements and principles of design are the building blocks of art study. These concepts will be expanded on as the students grow through a variety of projects, techniques and materials presented. The students will learn about a number of artists, styles and cultures throughout the middle school years. This class meets twice a week. The students will receive a numerical grade based on a point system.

Graphic Design 6
In the Graphic Arts course, sixth-grade students will build the foundations for graphic design. They are introduced to the basic functions of the Macintosh computer, the safety of the Internet, and working back and forth between programs. We use the programs Adobe Photoshop, Photobooth, Microsoft Word, and stock photography websites. Students use a range of programs, in order to create diverse projects involving poster designs, book covers, print advertisements, color masking, photo retouching, corporate identity and packaging design. Students are introduced to historical and modern-day artists. In this program, students learn the principles and elements of design. Students learn the importance of sketching their ideas on paper first before starting to design on the computer. Some projects will also be integrated with their visual arts class.

Art Grade 7
This class meets twice a week. The course takes the students through a creative experience by the use of a variety of media. They will explore and experiment with basic art elements and principles and they will develop artistic skills through the systematic introduction to 1) the sensory properties of objects - color, line, shape; 2) the format properties of design - balance and rhythm, harmony; 3) the technical properties of tools and materials, 4) the expressive properties of moods, feelings, and ideas; and 5) the introduction of technology as a tool to generate art. The students will receive a numerical grade.

Graphic Design 7
In the Graphic Arts course, seventh-grade students will build the foundations for graphic design. They are introduced to the basic functions of the Macintosh computer, the safety of the Internet, and working back and forth between programs. We use the programs Adobe Photoshop, Photobooth, Microsoft Word, and stock photography websites. Students use a range of programs, in order to create diverse projects involving poster designs, book covers, typography booklets, print advertisements, color masking, photo retouching, corporate identity and packaging design. Students are introduced to historical and modern-day artists. In this program, students learn the principles and elements of design. Students learn the importance of sketching their ideas on paper first before starting to design on the computer. Some projects will also be integrated with their visual arts class.

Art Grade 8
This course is the culmination of the middle school art program. Through creative experiences, students become familiar with such facets of artistic thinking as: the ability to formulate problems and create multiple solutions, the ability to pursue a project over time; the willingness to solve problems inventively, the ability to take risks, and finally to reflect critically on one’s own work. Students develop a way of thinking that functions beyond the studio into other areas of the curriculum. The students are required to keep a sketchbook and will receive a numerical grade.

Graphic Design 8
In the Graphic Arts course, eighth-grade students will enhance their graphic design skills. They will improve their Macintosh computer skills, knowledge of safely using the Internet, and working back and forth between programs. We use the programs Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Photobooth, Microsoft Word, and stock photography websites. Students use a range of programs, in order to create diverse projects involving poster designs, CD booklets, type and vector portraits, magazine covers, print advertisements, photo retouching, corporate identity and packaging design. Students are introduced to historical and modern-day artists. In this program, students learn the principles and elements of design. Students learn the importance of sketching their ideas on paper first before starting to design on the computer. Some projects will also be integrated with their visual arts class.