1st Semester 2013-14 Art Curriculum Overview
Teacher: Mrs. Emerson
1st Quarter 1st Grade:
We are learning how to see our world by drawing what we see. We began by observing the art
room through a viewfinder and then finding vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines. Finding the
direction of lines makes drawing easier. Drawing the skeleton helped us understand the
difference between positive and negative shapes (empty spaces). We reviewed mixing
secondary colors by painting a pumpkin. We also reviewed forms and paint brush control by
making a ceramic Tooth Monster. Please encourage your 1st grader to draw from life and to play
with art materials.
2nd Quarter 1st Grade:
Textures are things we can feel. We have learned how to draw textures and patterns with fine
and extra fine markers. Our ceramic bowl provided an opportunity to create actual texture in clay
with embossing plates. Describing the bowl-making process helped reinforce chronological
thinking. Snow days are so exciting! The excitement certainly shows in our Snow Day selfportraits This project challenged our cutting and gluing skills. Please help your child practice
these skills at home.
1st Quarter 2nd Grade:
Second graders are learning about nature’s beauty. We began by practicing drawing
landscapes. To understand landscapes, we first defined the directions of lines and then copied
major shapes. Continuing our studies of nature, we spent time closely observing real leaves. We
finished our leaf drawings with tissue collage of warm and cool colors. Help your 2 nd grader slow
down when observing and drawing from life.
2nd Quarter 2nd Grade:
Negative shapes are empty spaces between the positive shapes. We drew the negative shapes
between tree branches onto scratch art paper to create a silhouette of a tree. In celebration of
winter, we've built ceramic snowmen and torn paper to create a self-portrait playing in the snow.
Both winter projects were challenging for small hands. Providing opportunities for playing with a
variety of materials at home will help your child develop creativity. Currently, we are painting a
cardinal in the snow.
1st Quarter 4th Grade:
Compasses and geometry helped us create both asymmetrical and radially balanced
compositions. Using drawing to increase our observation skills, we created our own version of
an expressive screaming face complete with texture and wild hair. Please encourage your 4th
grader to draw from real life. Careful, continuous observation of real objects will help with
science, writing, reading, as well as drawing.
2nd Quarter 4th Grade:
Using our hands as subject matter, we studied form and values with soft black and white pencils.
Continue practicing observing highlights and shadows to understand how light reveals form
(three-dimensional objects). Just before winter break, we learned the art of embossed metal.
Using chasing and repousse techniques, we made beautiful picture frames with personal
symbols. We have recently begun studying weaving. In preparation for planning, we made a
non-objective collage using shapes whose sides are horizontal and vertical. These two
directions correspond to the warp and weft of weaving.
1st Quarter 5th Grade:
We learned how to analyze a work of art for content while we found new ways to communicate
our own ideas via painting in the style of Mexican folk artists. We’ve increased our portraitmaking skills by observing proportions, shadows, and highlights. We extended these skills by
making a ceramic gargoyle sculpture and drawing an expressive screaming face. Please
encourage your child to draw challenging unfamiliar subjects often. Also, continue practicing
careful observation and analysis of imagery.
2nd Quarter 5th Grade:
Sometimes artistic inspirations come from strange places! We drew small portions of the
bottoms of our shoes to create a design for an embossed aluminum brooch. We learned how to
create three-dimensions with chasing and repousse techniques. In between snow days we are
learning about the art of mask-making. We made small sketchbooks to record our ideas for
masks. Our paper mache masks will require many steps that challenge our problem-solving
skills. Please encourage your child to create forms from recycled materials at home.