Elementary students should create art using a variety of techniques, styles and materials. A complete course will cover both "elements of design" (color, line, texture, shape, space and form) and "principles of design" (balance, movement, contrast, repetition and emphasis). Lessons can be taught in isolation -- for example, students can create lines of movement as they listen to music -- or as part of a larger project like a mural, mobile or sculpture. Students should have the opportunity to make art using two-dimensional media such as paper, pencils, paint, ink, stamps, rollers, textiles, pastels, or chalk, as well as three-dimensional media including clay, wire, papier-mache, string, paper, wood or found objects.
By exploring art from different cultures and time periods, students begin to understand the role of art throughout history. Elementary students should examine works of art and the lives of artists in the greater context of time and place. Learning about the many ways artists have used art to communicate ideas or express their culture will empower students to create their own meaningful works. It also develops understanding that artists create art in different ways, for different reasons.
Students should reflect on the meaning of art by developing opinions, asking questions, forming and supporting interpretations and making connections. They should examine the effects of elements and techniques artists employ. Students should use art to explore other subjects (for example, creating patterns in Math or building a map in Social Studies). Finally, students should assess the success of their own artwork, in order to develop goals and strategies for future projects.
Students should have opportunities to create art collaboratively and individually. Working as part of a group presents unique challenges; students need to listen to the ideas of others, share, take turns, respect other perspectives and experiment together. Students can create collages or murals as a group, contribute squares to a quilt, or illustrate a book for the class.