Art is a natural means of expression and communication for children.  The elementary art curriculum in the Colonial School District provides for the development of curiosity and an imaginative environment.  Art, as subject matter, will provide the student with skills involving manipulation, appreciation, evaluation, and response. 

The basic skill of manipulation will be acquired.  Creative skills both active and expressive will be developed and perfected.  Basic materials appropriate to each area will be developed.  Awareness of the value of order, planning, and care of materials will be developed.

Appreciation will be developed.  As an individual the child will develop an awareness of art elements and principles.  Appreciation of the works of an individual artist will also be developed.  Artists can be chosen from the following genre: Surrealism, Impressionism, Renaissance, Cubism, Native American, Asian, Primitive, Modern, Egyptian, Abstract, and Ethnic.  Styles and time periods identify concepts that relate to art history, criticism, aesthetics and production.  The child will be aware of cultural and environmental influences. 

The child will grow in his range of evaluation.  He/she will learn to form both subjective and objective judgements as well as be aware of a physical process and its product. 

The child will realize that Art can be a form of communication.  He/she will accept that response can be positive, negative, or a mixture of both and will discover that a response may become emotional.  A work of art can provoke a sad, happy, gloomy or other reaction. 

The structure of the Art program is based upon Design and Composition.  The approach to Design and Composition varies in degrees of complexity based upon grade levels and materials.  Design will be incorporated into the child’s artwork.  Design will refer to surface decoration as well as balance and arrangement of color, space and shapes.  The student will be aware that Design affects planning, arranging, and producing.  He/she will know that Design includes form and function. The child will instinctively make use of Composition.  The various levels of perception in child growth will contribute to his/her knowledge of Composition.  The child will realize that Composition encompasses the elements of line, color, shape, form, space and texture.