“Society needs artists… artist have their unique place. Obedient to their inspiration in creating works both worthwhile and beautiful, they… enrich the cultural heritage of each nation and of all humanity”
Pope John Paul II
Visual Arts Syllabus
Carolina Santos
Assumption School’s Arts Mission: Through creation God has breathed into each of us precious life and particular gifts. And with that breath we are filled with God-given inspiration. We are each called to develop our creative abilities in order to “…enter into the heart of the mystery of the Incarnate God and at the same time into the mystery of man (Pope John Paul II Letter to Artists).” At Assumption Catholic School, we are committed to teaching and fostering the skills of art making, the history of art, and the disciplines of aesthetic inquiry (art appreciation), and art criticism.
In visual arts class, the students will review and build on the elements of art and the principles of organization. In addition, students will focus on the following:
Conceptualizing the context or purpose
Gathering information from diverse sources
Learning about art created about Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, the liturgical year
Learning about various artists and art history and making art in that style
Foci for:
Kindergarten:
o Recognizing various images of Jesus and Mary and many saints
o Learning about the artists Claude Monet and Henri Rousseau
First Grade:
o Recognizing and creating various images of Jesus and Mary, the Nativity and other Biblical scenes, angels, saints, Bible, candles, cross
o Learning about inspiration by Vincent Van Gogh, Heather Galler lanscape and Faith Ringgolg Tar Beach
Second Grade:
o Using and understanding the value of arts for worship in spiritual faith development, recognizing artwork in church settings, recognizing and creating symbols of Baptism and Eucharist
o Learning about the composition of Renaissance portraiture, Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt (and others), sculptor Alexander Calder, and illustrator Eric Carle
Third Grade:
o Recognizing religious art used in the home, church, school, and community setting, using and understanding the value of arts for worship in spiritual faith development, and identifying Catholic images and symbols/sacramental used in the arts for Catholic devotion
o Learning about Northwest Coast Native arts, and artists Georgia O’Keefe and Jacob Lawrence
Fourth Grade:
o Recognizing religious art used in the home, church, school, and community setting, using and understanding the value of arts for worship in spiritual faith development, and identifying Catholic images and symbols/sacramental used in the arts for Catholic devotion
o Learning about artists and the art styles of Paul Cezanne, Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Norman Rockwell, Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Chuck Close
Fifth Grade:
o Recognizing religious art used in the home, church, school, and community setting, using and understanding the value of arts for worship in spiritual faith development, creating art works for the liturgical season and identifying Catholic images and symbols/sacramental used in the arts for Catholic devotion
o Learning about American colonial artists George Caleb Bingham, Thomas Cole, and various members of the Peale family; learning about sculptress Louise Nevelson, and WWII artist Kathe Kollowitz.
Developing ideas and techniques
Organizing arts elements, forms, and/or principles into a creative work
Reflecting for the purpose of elaboration and self-evaluation
Refining work based on feedback
Presenting work to others
- Applying previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills and techniques through a creative process
- Designing different solutions to the same problems and select one to produce
In Kindergarten through fifth grades, grading will be based on weekly effort and participation in class and projects as well as meeting the standards of
o Understanding and applying knowledge in the areas of the elements of art and the principles of design
o Demonstrating effort by using tools and materials appropriately