Art Benchmarks for Malone Middle School

(Grades 6-8)

Standard 1: Creating, Performing and Participating in the Arts

 Students:

 ~ may produce a collection of artworks, in a variety of mediums, based on a range  of individual and collective experiences.

 ~ recognize more subtle characteristics of  mediums and are able to apply that   knowledge when they are looking at works of art and when they use these   media in their own art work.

 ~ create increasingly more complex works of art based on their observation, recall  and imagination.

 ~ may know and use a variety of sources for developing and conveying ideas,   images, themes, symbols and events in the creation of art.

 ~ may explore themes derived from their experiences both in school and outside  school, including larger cultural themes, (myths, nature, human concerns   and needs).

 ~ explore the meaning of symbols and images they find in works of art and   discover ways in which they may use symbolism and images in their own  work.

 ~ may discover symbols and images (meaningful) used in other times and other  cultures and derive ways of adapting these to their own artistic needs.

 ~ use the elements and principles of art to communicate specific meanings to   others in their art work.

 ~ further develop the skills of identifying the qualities of the visual elements, and   make some decisions about how they will use these in their work (such as,   use line to convey motion or feeling, color to convey emphasis, size to   convey space, pattern to convey rhythm, shape and form to convey  meaning).

 ~ continue to compose their work by arranging the visual elements in a deliberate   way to convey meaning or emotion.

 ~ may select a medium from an array of three or more, and be able to describe why  they chose that medium and for what specific purpose it is to be used.

 ~ (7th grade) plan and matte a two dimensional piece and include a written  descriptive label for that work;

   (8th grade)  plan and matte all two dimensional works and include written  descriptive labels for said works.

Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

 Students:

 ~ creating original drawings using a variety of idea sources, approaches and design  concepts.

 ~ use drawing media, tools and techniques expressively.

 ~ create original paintings using a variety of idea sources, approaches and design  concepts.

 ~ use painting media, tools and techniques expressively.

 ~ may create original prints using a variety of idea sources, approaches and design  concepts.

 ~ may use printmaking media, tools and techniques expressively.

 ~ acquire basic skills in at least 6 art mediums and demonstrate competence in at   least two.

 ~ will be able to describe why a particular media was chosen over another from the   selected media choice project.

 ~ create original sculpture using a variety of idea sources, approaches and design  concepts.

 ~ use sculptural media, tools and processes expressively.

 ~ will use computer software programs to provide a virtual reality experience   through the use of museum tours incorporating various aspects of Art   History.

 ~ be able to discuss both orally and in writing the ideas presented by a visiting  artist.

 ~ will be made aware of museums and galleries, in our region, where they can view  original art work.

 ~ will be introduced to the variety of careers in art.

 ~ evaluate their own interest in art as a career.

 ~ become familiar with the skills necessary to pursue some of the careers in art.

 Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art

Students:

 ~ will compare and contrast the elements and principles of art when analyzing and   interpreting their own works and the art of others, using appropriate   critical language, style, purpose, and function of the various works.

 ~ will continue to identify and become aware of the underlying structures such as  proportion, visual rhythms and types of balance in the environment.

 ~ may explore a theme that is part of the students experience (the power of nature,   love, conflict between people). Explain how that theme is portrayed in the   visual arts.  Explore how that same theme is conveyed in a poem, a song, a  dance or theater production.

 ~ are made aware of how themes or ideas found in works of art may also be   expressed in other academic disciplines...like the idea of pattern, rhythm   and progression are found in math.

Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Dimensions and Contributions of the Arts

 Students:

 ~ may demonstrate knowledge of how art works in conjunction with artifacts from  diverse world cultures reflecting their beliefs, values, styles, organization   and cultural meanings. This can be achieved by independent research   through the use of art periodicals and writing assignments.

 ~ create a work of art which is based upon the style or design (from a variety of art  forms) of another culture.

IN GENERAL

Students:

 ~better understand human experiences, both past and present.

 ~learn to adapt to and respect others' was of thinking, working, and expressing  themselves.

 ~learn artistic modes of problem solving, which bring an array of expressive,   analytical and developmental tools to every individual.

 ~understand the influence of art in the power to reflect cultures, impact daily life  and express the ideas and actions of the world.

 ~may use the knowledge and skills acquired through the arts and apply them to   situations and experiences in daily life.