HIGH SCHOOL

High school art classes challenge students to be creative, thinking of new solutions to problems. Also, many visual thinking strategies and skills are practiced. Students learn all kinds of techniques with a variety of media, including paint, clay, graphite, pastel, photography, digital media, and various sculpture materials. Whatever skill level you are, we can meet you there! You do not need to be "talented" to love this class! 

ART I

ART II & ART III

INTRO. TO SCULPTURE AND 3D DESIGN

Art I students practice realistic drawing techniques.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS LEARN?

Some of the skills and techniques that could be taught are drawing from observation (including accuracy, shading, and realistic space techniques) as well as creative drawing, two and three dimensional design, painting, photography, printmaking, portrait drawing, color theory, sculpture techniques, and much more. Students will have the opportunity to practice many different kinds of art! Everyone comes to art class with a different set of skills, so projects will be scaffolded. This means that projects will be assessed based on whether the student is beginning, intermediate, or advanced in skills. 

Students will be challenged to learn characteristics of art styles from history as well as learn to analyze the design of various artworks. There is a close relationship between art and language - visual art is another way of communicating! Students will be required to write reflections about their projects, both the completed pieces as well as the process. 

GRADING

Major art projects make up 50% of the final grade, and daily assignments/quizzes make up the other 50%. Art projects will be graded based on three main criteria: creativity, craftsmanship, and effort. Also, written quizzes will be given occasionally to assess student understanding of art history, aesthetics, and art related vocabulary. Students will also be required to write reflections about their own work as well as the work of artists from history. 

1. Creativity - students are encouraged to create original artwork, not tracing or copying others' ideas, but at the same time being inspired by important artists and artworks from history. Original ideas are celebrated here, as are innovative ways to solve problems.

2. Craftsmanship - students are expected to do their best work possible, following directions and taking care of the materials (without rushing through projects) as well as practicing problem solving skills throughout the process. For each project, I emphasize a skill or technique for students to practice. They are NOT expected to "master" a skill, especially if it is their first year in art class, and I try to remind them that there is "no such thing as perfection in art," outside of God Himself! "To err is human!" 

3. Effort - students are expected to stay on task, working hard, every day. Points will be deducted for off-task behaviors. 

Art I students build abstract sculptures, applying the rules of design. 

Students will have many opportunities to succeed in this class, no matter their skill level or particular talent! Students will receive a rubric or checklist for each project so there is no mystery about how they will be graded. Parents, if you would like to see your child's current rubric, please email me at annanichols@hcachristian.org. 

When students leave my art classes, it is my hope that they will have learned new skills and techniques as well as gained an appreciation for art in our daily lives. I also hope that each student will gain confidence in his/her own ability to create! Every man-made object that we use and enjoy was originally designed by someone, whether the cars we drive, the jewelry and clothing we wear, or the furniture in our homes - an artist has created it!

Sculpture students create monochromatic abstract pieces representing their personalities.

Art II & Art III students work on canvas paintings; each student chose a subject representing the theme of "Beauty."