1. Art Kindergarten through 6th grade
Art Curriculum
for all
grade levels

2. Kindergarten Art
(Aesthetic) Artist’s express their ideas, beliefs, and feelings in different ways.
(Production) Artists use different materials to express ideas.
(History) Artists learn from other artists.
(Criticism) Artists use a special vocabulary.
(Integration) Art connects to other things we learn about. (Science: People/Nature) AND Art helps people learn about themselves. (Social Studies)
Unit: Who is an Artist?
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Identity
Aesthetic Focus: The nature of the artist

3. First grade Art Enduring Understandings and Ideas:
(Aesthetic) Artists and storytellers record events.
(Production) Artists use personal experience and imagination to tell stories.
(History) Artists record ideas and experiences.
(Criticism) Artworks have narrative qualities. (Character, setting, action)
(Integration) Artworks and stories share common literary elements (Sequence and prediction). (Language Arts) AND Artworks reveal similar family experiences. (Social Studies: Family)
Unit: Artists tell stories
Conceptual Lens: Artist as Storyteller
Aesthetic Focus: Instrumentalism Theory

4. Second Grade Art Enduring Understandings and Ideas:
(Aesthetic) Artists examine cultural objects to explore the definition of art.
(Production) Artists create functional and fine art forms.
(History) Art reflects the traditions of world cultures.
(Criticism) Art forms share common characteristics across cultures.
(Integration) Art and math share common concepts. (Math) AND World cultures share common characteristics. (Social Studies: Neighborhoods)
Unit: Artists explore materials and cultures
Conceptual Lens: Artist as explorer
Aesthetic Focus: What can art be?

5. Third Grade Art Enduring Understandings and Ideas:
(Aesthetic) Artists build and transform community identity.
(Production) Artists use the subjects of art to represent their community.
(History) Art reflects the cultural identity and values of a community.
(Criticism) Critical processes examine the subjects and themes in art.
(Integration) Art is a common language in diverse communities. (Social Studies)
Unit: Artists live and work within a community
Conceptual Lens: Artist as Citizen
Aesthetic Focus: Expressionism Theory

6. Fourth Grade Art (Aesthetic) Purpose and intention determine style.
(Production) Artists manipulate materials to communicate realistically and symbolically.
(History) Art reflects the traditions and cultures of a region.
(Criticism) The critical process reveals an artist’s style to the viewer.
(Integration) Artists document their experiences through narrative art and writing. (Language Arts) AND
Art reveals historical content. (Social Studies)
Unit: Artists use a Visual Language
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Style
Aesthetic Focus: Imitationalism Theory

7. Fifth Grade Art (Aesthetic) Art is an instrument to promote awareness.
(Production) Artistic exploration leads to innovation.
(History) Art records change in society.
(Criticism) Critical processes identify influences.
(Integration) Art documents interactions between humans and their environment. (Social Studies)
Unit: Artists interpret social and historical influences on American Art
Conceptual Lens: Artist’s Influence
Aesthetic Focus: Formalism & Instrumentalism Theory

8. Sixth Grade Art (Aesthetic) Art reveals aesthetic theories.
(Production) Artists create art from multiple perspectives of time, place, and culture revealing aesthetic theories.
(History) Artistic forms follow function throughout time.
(Criticism) Critical processes identify aesthetic theories.
(Integration) Art reflects the values and beliefs of a civilization/society. (Social Studies: Government)
Unit: Artists acquire a world view
Conceptual Lens: Artist Perspective
Aesthetic Focus: Imitationalism Theory, Formalism Theory,
Expressionism Theory, Instrumentalism Theory