Art for Elementary Teachers

Artistic Literacy: Making Artworks

Grounded in an understanding of its underlying principles of the visual arts, students will become direct participants and makers of art. Students will gain artistic confidence grounded in their own experiences working in artistic media. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements, forms, aesthetic and compositional principles of at least one form of artistic expression and develop increased creative imagination and independent thought by directly engaging with the art form as a performer or maker.

Artistic Literacy: Viewing Artworks

Through their study, description, interpretation, and aesthetic evaluations of artwork, students will develop skills in critical analysis, aesthetic judgment, and an appreciation of the importance of historical and cultural context in studying art. Students will become acquainted with a variety of representative works in at least one art form, demonstrate analytical literacy in at least one art form, meaning the ability to invoke the vocabulary, grammar, and theoretical models of the art form for the purpose of "reading" a work of art, and develop the ability to recognize multiple possible interpretations of an art work, and identify the work's adherence to or departure from the genre's traditions and conventions.

Artistic Literacy: The Spiritual Dimensions of Art

Students will explore the complexity of human perception and expression in the visual arts and experience the redemptive power and profound humanizing growth that accompanies engagement with art. They will have significant aesthetic experiences that will change they way they see the world and transform their teaching.

Art and Teaching: Curriculum

Art Curricula: Students will design elementary arts integrated curricula that is sensitive to diverse cultures and special needs children that are developmentally appropriate for the elementary age child. They will gain an understanding of the artistic potential of children and will gain insights into effective teaching methods that utilize a variety of different artistic methods and media.

Art and Teaching: Advocacy

Students will articulate why art education is important through clear and concise writing. They will recognize the need to teach art to children and realize they do not need to be master artists to provide students with the opportunities and direction they need to create art.

Visual Arts Resources

Students will use available arts resources, including art museums as a part of their curriculum and teaching. They will be inspired to deepen their artistic knowledge and skills and continue to study art throughout their lives.