• Make personal judgments about works of art based on reasons.
• Recognize that there may be different responses to works of art.
• Interpret and make judgments based on visual clues and characteristic found in works of art.
• Recognize that works of art can be rendered realistically or abstractly.
• Describe the difference between an original work of art and a reproductions.

In Skills and Techniques, your student:

• creates artwork using a variety of materials and techniques (e.g., watercolor painting, sponge printing, clay sculpture).
• demonstrates safe practices with art tools.
• uses the elements of art and principles of design to create works of art (e.g., line, shape/form, pattern, texture, color).

In Creation and Communication, your student:

• creates art with personal meaning.
• communicates about works of art with appropriate vocabulary (e.g., landscape, portrait, shape, line).
• explores reasons people create art (e.g., a picture tells a story; a vase holds flowers; a picture is something to admire).

In Cultural and Historical Connections, your student:

• understands the connections among the visual arts, culture, and history (e.g., cave paintings tell the story of primitive society).

In Aesthetic and Critical Analysis, your student:

• makes personal responses to works of art (e.g., "I like it because...").
• interprets and makes judgments based on visual clues found in works or art (e.g., "The colors make me feel...").
• recognizes the difference between an original work of art and a reproduction.
• understands that personal art work is original.

In Applications to Life, your student:

• recognizes and describes various art careers (e.g., artists make art, paint signs, illustrate books, design greeting cards).
• knows where artwork can be found in the community (e.g., craft fairs, galleries, museums).

Helpful Hints to Use at Home

• Display your student's art work around the home.
• Set up an "art place" and keep a variety of art materials readily available. o Create with your student!
• Set up an "art place" and keep a variety of art materials readilyavailable. o Create with your student!
• Encourage appropriate use of materials (e.g., holding scissors correctly) and clean up practices.
• Talk about the art work in your home.
• Have something created by your student framed or professionally printed.
• Sign, date, and save some of your student's artwork in a portfolio.

GRADUATION EXPECTATIONS

The Graduation Expectations reflect the district, state, community, and workplace requirements. The expectations are in all subjects and focus on broad life-related skills and characteristics that make students quality producers. They incorporate future trends that will influence the lives of students and will help them make responsible, ethical, financial, and civic decisions. The graduation expectations are listed in bold below followed by selected descriptors created by educators, parents, business representatives, and the community.

A First Grade Graduate is a Problem Solver who:

• Identifies problems and challenges of a rapidly changing world.
• demonstrates creative and critical thinking skills in order to solve real-life problems.
• recognizes and proposes nonviolent solutions to local, national, and world issues.
• makes decisions by researching, collecting, recording, and analyzing pertinent data from a variety of sources using diverse thinking processes and applying effective strategies.
• Talk about the art work in your home.

A First Grade Graduate is a Responsible Individual who:

• is accountable for his or her actions.
• adapts to changes in order to live a physically, mentally, and emotionally balanced life.
• recognizes the contribution of diversity to society.
• displays a commitment to family.
• contributes to the community.
• demonstrates respect for the environment.

A First Grade is a Self-directed Learner who:

• creates a positive vision with multiple options for his or her own future.
• sets aims and goals and takes responsibility for executing a success plan.
• is a lifelong learner who monitors and evaluates his or her own progress.

A First Grade Graduate is an Effective Communicator who:

• receives and presents information in a variety of forms and ways.
• interacts effectively with a variety of audiences by demonstrating effective skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• interprets human experiences through media, literature, and the arts.
• uses technology as a communication tool.

A First Grade Graduate is a Knowledgeable Individual who:

• acquires essential knowledge in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, related arts, world languages, health, human movement and fitness, and technology.
• is diversely educated and informed of the geographies, histories, and cultures of the community, state, nation, and world.

A First Grade Graduate is a Collaborative Team Worker who:

• shows appreciation and consideration for others when negotiating solutions and resolving conflicts.
• works well with men and women from diverse backgrounds and ages.
• uses effective leadership skills to define and delegate tasks and achieve goals.
• shares the responsibility of the team personally and as a team member.