This 4-week elementary art course is the last four weeks of Art With Heart, an 8-week course for young, beginning artists.  During class, learners will explore artworks, learn and practice a new skill, and begin an artwork.  Learners interact by playing games, sharing their art, and commenting on the works of their classmates in the Outschool classroom.  No art experience is required for this course.

Topics We Will Cover:   Each week, we will explore a theme in art including self, play, and family.  As we study art from many cultures and time periods, the unity of human experience is an overarching theme.  Cross-curricular content in foreign languages, history, geography, science, and math appear in every lesson.  Learners will be making drawings, paintings, and sculpture using their own ideas.

Week 1:  Places
Week 2: Pets and Other Animals
Week 3:  The Sun 
Week 4:  Friends

What to Expect in Each Class:  Every class begins with introductions or greetings, then a student-centered discussion around a set of artworks.  Using the Visual Thinking Strategy, learners interpret art on their own first, developing confidence and visual literacy.  I will share the story behind the artworks during a brief slide lecture, followed by a skill-learning and practice session. These include guided drawing and experimenting with media and tools.  I use a document camera so learners can easily follow along. 

We tie the theme and our new skills together in the final project for each class.  These are open-ended visual problems, encouraging choice and individual expression.  I provide options for artists who want more specific directions, and ones who are more independent.  Learners will begin artworks in class, then complete them on their own. Learners will share photos or videos of their finished works and discuss them in our classroom.  Because of the young age of this group, they may need help participating in the classroom.  After each class, I will share enrichment and extension activities.

How Learners Will Interact:  Each week’s live session will feature student discussion, with emphasis on taking turns and listening.  After class, learners interact with one another through classroom games, sharing pictures of their artworks, and commenting on classmates’ artworks.  I teach a Positive Critique technique that gives students an easy way to talk with others about their art.  I hold regular office hours every week so students may talk with me if they need help while working on their projects.

My Teaching Style: I am a friendly, compassionate teacher and I respect student artists’ varying skill levels and communication preferences.  Learners may choose to engage in discussions, respond using chat, and/or share their artworks. Learners are encouraged to communicate in a way that is best for them.  Art is all about individual expression!