First Grade and Project Examples

The year begins with a project that stresses the concept that each artist is unique, that no two student's projects should look the same. This is followed by a project that introduces the elements and principles of art. The remainder of the year is divided into units based upon the ELEMENTS of art. Discussion, visual aids, etc. will introduce each new concept. Visual aids will reflect a broad range of styles and cultures. The relation of each new topic to other subjects will be explored: i.e., math, geometry, music, science, vocabulary, etc. Projects may be chosen at the discretion of the teacher and are subject to change. (The individual concepts listed below usually represent a specific project, although some concepts are grouped into a single project. "Definitions" are verbal introductions to each new unit.)


UNITS:

COLOR - definition; primary; mixing; secondary; intermediate; brown; warm families; complementary.

VALUE - definition; light and dark; black and white; gray; tint and shade; as a property of color; physics of light.

TEXTURE - definition; real versus illusion; relation to pattern.

SHAPE - definition; geometric; organic; irregular; related shapes; patterning; positive and negative; imagination.

LINE - definition; line quality; variety; contour; calligraphic; straight versus curved; outline; direction.

FORM - definition; geometric; organic; irregular.

Principles of art will be discussed as they apply to the projects used throughout the year. They will not be taught by separate projects in Grade One. Principles discussed in First Grade will include (but not be limited to): balance, symmetry, variety, contrast, repetition, overlapping, similarity, and pattern.

Media and methods will include (but not be limited to); crayon, watercolor, tempera, oil pastel, pencil, marker, paper, glue, collage, montage, origami, rubbing, tracing, cut and paste, and weaving.

THE YEAR WILL END WITH A CLASS SPENT CONTRASTING AND COMPARING TWO DISPARATE ARTWORKS, USING ALL APPROPRIATE VOCABULARY AND EXPLORING EVOCATIVE CONTENT.

	This project deals with the element LINE. It also demonstrates the principles of MOVEMENT and SYMMETRY.
	SHAPES are flat, closed figures. GEOMETRIC SHAPES have names and rules. This project deals with OVERLAPPING geometric shapes, creating IRREGULAR shapes and NEGATIVE spaces.
	This project introduces TEXTURE. The students rub a variety of surfaces to fill in their drawings.