sarah.brogren-haynes@ops.org
Kindergarten
Unit: Who is an Artist?
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Identity
Aesthetic Focus: The nature of the artist
Unit Overview:
Have ever wondered what an artist is? Are you wondering what we are going to learn about in Art class this year? We are going to learn about some really big, important ideas…beauty, time, nature, art. We are going to learn about some of the most famous artists of all time. The best part is that we are going to discover that YOU can see, think, talk and create like an artist!
First Grade
Unit: Artists tell stories
Conceptual Lens: Artist as Storyteller
Aesthetic Focus: Instrumentalism Theory
Remember last year we found out that we can all be artists? This year in first grade, we are going to learn something new and important about artists: Artists tell stories! Did you know that art can tell us about people of all ages, times, and places? Artists can help us imagine how people live, think, feel, grow, and learn. And most exciting of all…you as an artist can imagine and tell your own stories through the artworks you create!
Second Grade
Unit: Artists explore materials and cultures
Conceptual Lens: Artist as explorer
Aesthetic Focus: What can art be?
Have you ever wanted to be an explorer or dreamed of traveling to faraway places? This year we are going to travel the globe to explore interesting art forms and cultures from many times and places! We will also learn about ideas and materials that artists use from many cultures. As artists, you will create your own artworks experiencing the same kinds of ideas and materials you have discovered on your journey!
Third Grade
Unit: Artists live and work within a community/ Subjects of Art
Conceptual Lens: Artist as Citizen
Aesthetic Focus: Expressionism Theory
You are an important part of our community! A community is a place where people live, work, and learn together. This year we will learn that artists also live and work within a community. We will also explore the subjects of art and how artist can use these when showing their community.
Unit: Artists use a Visual Language
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Style
Aesthetic Focus: Imitationalism Theory
Have you ever looked at an artwork and thought, “It looks so real, how did they do that?” or “What is that? What does it mean?” Well, you are in luck! This year we are going to unlock the mystery of understanding and creating realistic and symbolic art. We are also going to look at artworks and learn about artists from our Midwest Region!
Fifth Grade
Unit: Artists interpret social and historical influences on American Art
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Influence
Aesthetic Focus: Formalism & Instrumentalism Theory
Tradition, history, change, innovation, controversy, and justice are words that will describe the discussions we will have in art this year. In fifth grade we will explore American Art. Everything we learn about will help us define American Identity. What does it mean to be an American artist? What kind of art and what cultures do you think we could study? What are some pressing problems that we face as Americans? What is important to you and how will you express it?
Sixth Grade
Unit: Artists acquire a world view
Conceptual Lens: Artist Perspective
Aesthetic Focus: Imitationalism Theory, Formalism Theory, Expressionism Theory, Instrumentalism Theory
Through your elementary art education you have been learning about the Artist’s Identity, Artist as Storyteller, Artist as Explorer, Artist as Citizen, the Artists Style, and in fifth grade the Artist’s Influence from the perspective of our families, communities, region and nation. This year we are going to acquire a World View of art, exploring four powerful art theories. These theories are super big ideas. In art, super-sized ideas are called Aesthetic Theories. To understand this we will play the role of artist, philosopher, historian, and archeologist to explore world art throughout time.