• Use an appropriate vocabulary in response to visual qualities in art.
• Utilize various methods, museum visits and studio experiences for responding to and judging art works.
• Explore different genres of art.

In Skills and Techniques, your student:

• creates two- and three-dimensional art work from personal experiences, observation or imagination using a variety of materials, tools and techniques.
• handles tools and materials safely and takes care to minimize waste.
• uses elements of art and principles of design to organize works of art (e.g., line, shape, color, balance, repetition).
• exhibits good craftsmanship when creating a work of art.

In Creation and Communication, your student:

• communicates how he or she developed the idea for the artwork, why arranged the materials in a certain way, and how it worked together to create a successful work of art.
• looks at the parts of artwork in order to understand the whole artwork.

In Cultural and Historical Connections, your student:

• examines other cultures' art, understands its value to that culture, and creates artwork with similar meaning (e.g., Kachina dolls, rain sticks, tribal shields).
• looks at works of art from a variety of cultures and periods of time.

In Aesthetic and Critical Analysis, your student:

• uses appropriate art vocabulary when talking about art.
• examines different types of artwork presented in a variety of ways (e.g., museum visits, books, videos).

In Applications to Life, your student:

• understands where art ideas are used in everyday life.
• recognizes various art skills and describes how they are used in a career (e.g., fashion designer, photographer, computer artist).
• sees artwork in a variety of settings (e.g., museums, studios, galleries).

Helpful Hints to Use at Home

• Talk about art.
• Provide a variety of art materials for your student.
• Display your student's art work around your home and workspace.
• Do an art project with your student.
• Monitor use of materials and clean-up practices.
• Sign, date, and save some of your student's artwork in a portfolio.
• Have a piece of your student's art work printed as a card or stationary.

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 Fourth 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.

A Fourth 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 Fourth Grade Graduate 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 Fourth 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 Fourth 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 Fourth 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.