Discover the visual arts standards for elementary grades with this concise guide. Perfect for elementary teachers. this quick book provides insight into art literacy and outlines essential components to teach in art classes. Teaching art in the classroom might feel overwhelming or even insignificant at first. However, imparting art literacy to students can profoundly influence their education. As an early childhood or elementary teacher, you may not have formal training in visual arts, which is quite common.
In this blog, I will provide concise insights from my book on the importance of teaching visual arts. “Defining Visual Arts,” I delve deep into various aspects. I cover the standards for visual arts, demystify artistic techniques and processes. I also highlight the ideal art projects and mediums for children. This book serves as a quick and practical guide for teaching art effectively in your classroom.
Why Teach Visual Arts?
I also explain why it’s so beneficial for students to have art lessons as part of their education. Here are just a few of those reasons you should be teaching it.
- Art offers a unique form of communication
- It encourages critical and creative thinking
- Art serves as a tool for societal, historical, and cultural understanding
- Cultivates enjoyment and wellbeing
- Stimulates innovative thinking for the 21st century
What is Art Literacy?
To put it simply, art literacy is the knowledge and understanding required to participate authentically in the arts. It provides students with the opportunity to work through the artistic process. Which is as a part of their education and using visual arts standards.
What are the Elementary Art Arts Standards?
The standards we use to teach visual arts were created after extensive studies. Researchers observed and analyzed the way art is created, from visualization and ideation to a finished form. All these findings were evaluated and placed into a matrix called The Artistic Process.
These visual art standards can be used by teachers all over the country. Helping develop curriculum and evaluate artistic progression in their students. The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) is one of the prominent organizations.
As helpful as these standards are, they do not provide guidelines or instruction for how learning in the arts. They give teachers the four basic art process actions children should experience while creating artwork. Deciding on the medium (such as crayons or clay), areas of focus (drawing or painting). This is where it gets a little daunting, right?
Art Book – Defining Visual Arts
I’ve done years of research on the development of art understanding and abilities in children. And I’ve tailored my experience and learning to be useful and applicable in the classroom. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. Even if you don’t have an arts background, you can still teach visual arts!
In Defining Visual Arts, I break down the visual arts standards:
- Elements and Principles of Design
- Areas of visual art study
- Artists’ techniques
- Visual spatial understanding
You can purchase a copy of the book online for the ultimate guide on giving your students art literacy and bring art into your classroom!
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