St. Malachy’s production rich Visual Arts curriculum integrates art history and art principles as a means for self-expression and fine motor skill development. Students in Kindergarten through Eighth grade are given the tools to explore diverse media, to develop problem-solving skills, to utilize the elements and principles of art, and to understand the importance of visual arts across the curriculum.
Students are evaluated on effort, class participation, following directions, proper use of media, and completion of projects. It is important to understand that completion of projects is the least important factor in the final grade. Students are expected to use their class time to expand on and explore the art process through a positive work ethic, to create artwork to the best of their ability, to practice utilizing diverse media and tools to increase skill level, to practice listening skills to understand project parameters, and to explore their own ideas to engage in conversations about their art process.
A point system is used to evaluate Kindergarten through Eighth grade students. Students receive five participation points at the beginning of each Art class and keep these points by following the expectations explained in the previous paragraph. Kindergarten through Third grade projects are not graded as they are used as a means for the development of fine motor skills through practice and exploration based on Indiana Visual Arts Standards. Fourth through Eighth grade projects are graded using a 100 point value as they are used to show artistic development based on Indiana Visual Arts Standards.
All behaviors that affect the ability of the student or classmates to participate in Art class will result in a loss of points from the participation grade. The severity and repetitiveness of the behavior will decide the appropriate loss of points. Inappropriate behavior will be communicated to the homeroom teacher through a behavior slip or to the parents through an email or phone call.
CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT