Visual Arts

The Visual Arts curriculum at Alta Vista Lower School is designed to integrate and deepen students' understanding of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), all in service of artistic creation. Key areas of focus include:

• Ceramics 
• Architecture/Culture 
• Contour and drawing 
• Value 
• Shape/Form 
• Color 
• Pattern/Texture 
• Line 
• Self-Expression/Portraits 

Each unit connects to a specific art movement, artist, or a thematic curriculum from the grade level. Students learn how to articulate artistic perception by building vocabulary and describing art using proper terminology, like 3-D form, contour, and primary and secondary colors.

Students explore artistic processes using various media to communicate meaning and intent through their original works. They develop fine motor skills through activities like clay modeling, drawing, and cutting, and create art using diverse materials including chalk pastels, paint, ink, mixed media, clay, metal, and fiber. Students are encouraged to embrace mistakes, set personal goals, and build creative confidence throughout their artistic journey.

Additionally, students learn about the role of visual arts in diverse cultures and histories. Artists studied include Faith Ringgold, Roy Lichtenstein, Alma Thomas, Romare Bearden, Kehinde Wiley, Alexander Calder, Matisse, Kandinsky, and more. They also explore art movements like Surrealism, Pop Art, Op Art, Neo-Expressionism, Cubism, artists with synesthesia, and California architecture.

Finally, students assess and derive meaning from various works of art, including their own, by understanding the elements of art, the principles of design, and aesthetic qualities. The program fosters lifelong appreciation for the visual arts and helps students apply their knowledge across subjects, like studying the redwood forest. Through art, they develop creative problem-solving, communication, and time management skills applicable to many areas of life. Field trips provide opportunities for students to interact with art and artists, deepening their understanding of the real-world application of visual arts.

The Visual Arts curriculum at Alta Vista Middle School is designed to integrate and deepen students' understanding of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), all in service of artistic creation. To fully understand contemporary art, students first build an appreciation for the techniques and resources used by artists throughout history. By studying past artistic movements and methods, they deepen their skills in various media and enhance their creative process. Accuracy, consistency, and math skills are applied regularly, as students use tools for measurement and precision in their artwork. Each student has a sketchbook for note-taking, project planning, sketching, warm-ups, and reflection. At the conclusion of each project, students engage in self-assessment, complete a single-point rubric, and write a project-specific Artist Statement.

Examples of Courses Currently Offered:

• 6th Grade Art Appreciation: In this course, students explore art history and movements while experimenting with various materials and techniques. They learn to keep an open mind, build responsible and respectful critical thinking, and develop self-reflection skills in a collaborative and creative classroom environment.
• 7th Grade Ceramics: Students are introduced to the fundamentals of ceramics, from hand-building to clay recycling, firing, and glazing. Inspired by both contemporary and historical artists, this course connects to content from other classes at AVS. Students will gain an appreciation for the unique and delicate properties of clay while creating authentic pieces of art. 
• 7th Grade Scale It Up: This course blends history, mechanics, and physics as students study medieval siege weapons. They begin by building small-scale models and then use math to "scale up" their creations, adjusting materials and designs as necessary to recreate the ancient machinery.
• 8th Grade Studio Arts: This yearlong project-based course offers a deep dive into various techniques and materials, such as glass fusing, ceramics, printmaking, and different drawing methods. During T3, students will submit proposals for independent projects, allowing them to explore their personal artistic interests under the guidance of their teacher. 
• 8th Grade Interdisciplinary, Exploring the Cave: This course works in conjunction with Mr. E-L’s ETC course, where students deepen their understanding of history through hands-on experimentation and exploration of materials and techniques that may have been "lost" to time. Concepts from ancient times are applied to contemporary art, blending historical exploration with modern practice.