This asynchronous elementary art course is an exploration of art for young, beginner artists.  There are no live meetings for this course; rather, students learn through interactive video lectures on Edpuzzle, instructional art videos, and museum websites for kids. During this course, learners will explore artworks, learn and practice new skills, and create artworks.  Learners interact through collaborating on artworks, playing games, sharing Positive Critiques, and discussing artworks in the Outschool classroom.  Some art experience is helpful but not 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, collages, and sculpture using their own ideas.

Week One:  Self
Week Two:  Play
Week 3: Families
Week 4:  Community

What to Expect:  Every week begins with an artwork and using the Visual Thinking Strategy, learners interpret art on their own first, developing confidence and visual literacy.  I share the story behind the artworks during an interactive Edpuzzle lecture, followed by a skill-learning and practice video. These include instruction in drawing and painting, and paper construction techniques.

Learners tie the theme and their new skills together in the final project for each week.  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.  Each week, I also share optional enrichment and extension links on related topics and projects in art.

How Learners Will Interact:  Learners interact with one another through playing games, sharing pictures or videos of their artworks, and commenting on classmates’ artworks.  Learners discuss selected artworks using Visual Thinking Strategies. Every week in the classroom, learners will engage in a different game, such as "Would you rather?" and "I spy...," relating to the art we are studying.  I teach a Positive Critique technique that gives students a positive way to talk with others about art.  

Support for Flex Classes:  I hold regular office hours every week so students may talk with me on video chat if they need help while working on their projects or accessing resources in our classroom.