Visual Arts

Visual Arts

Art teachers in CREC schools believe that art education is essential to the development of the whole child.  While learning about art in a variety of hands-on classes, students are not only learning how to produce artist pieces, but are also developing critical thinking skills, self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, creativity, and self-motivation necessary for success. At CREC, we follow the National Core Art Standards.  We utilize the four pillars:  Creating; Performing/Presenting/Producing; Responding; and Connecting.

By the end of 8th grade, students will complete the following in visual arts classes:  

By documenting stages of the creative process, students will shape artistic investigations of everyday life, demonstrate a willingness to experiment, innovate, take risks to pursue emerging ideas, and show awareness of ethics to create artwork while reflecting and revising theme-based works of art for display. Students will compare and contrast how art exhibitions influence ideas and actions and how our aesthetic choices are influenced by culture as well as impact the visual image we convey to others.

Over the course of the three years in middle school, students will create and learn about portraiture, both self and others.  They will also learn the advanced use of the Elements of Art, and incorporate the Principles of Art into their work in a more intentional way than in elementary school.  Digital art courses are introduced in middle school as well.

Students will be introduced to a variety of art media, including paints, mark-making media (i.e., chalk, pastel, pencil, pen), mixed media and 3D media.  In addition, students will also be using visual arts software for the purposes of design, such as Photoshop, and other programs for both design and 3D modeling and printing.   Students will be learning a variety of visual art and design skills and techniques, and will be able to implement them in their work.

How to Support Your Art Student at Home:  

You can best support your child’s love of art by asking questions about what they are learning in school, encouraging descriptive words when your child talks about their own and other’s artwork, visiting museums together, creating an “art space” at home where your child can create pieces of art, and encouraging your child to select artwork for “at home art shows” for family and friends.

Interesting Resources

• Google Arts & Culture
• National Gallery of Art Kids App
• NPR Field Recordings
• Virtual Tour Of the National Museum of Natural History
• Paint Like Jackson Pollock
• Art21

For more information, please contact the Arts Curriculum Facilitator, Roxanne Vendetti, at rvendetti@crec.org.