Art

CURRICULUM

The Corte Madera Art curriculum is developed based on the National Core Arts Standards and the California State Standards, in alignment with PVSD's goals and priorities. All of our students are provided a high-quality program that motivates, engages, and challenges them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

8th Grade Art

Students in this semester-long course will create artwork using a variety of media and techniques. Curriculum focuses on developing a series of works related to a theme while studying art from the19th century to present day.

8th Art Syllabus (1st semester)

8th Art Syllabus S2 (2nd semester)

Text used:  Scholastic Art Magazine

8th Grade Advanced Digital Art

Students in this semester-long course will create digital art using Google Drawings and Adobe Photoshop, and will also have the option of creating animations with Google Slides or Adobe Animate with sound added in WeVideo. The major focus within photography will be on lighting and how a composition can create a mood. Digital artwork will include portraiture, photography, and choice projects.

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. Students are also responsible for keeping a sketchbook with assigned and “free” sketches outside of class. 

8th Advanced Digital Art

Text used:  Scholastic Art Magazine

8th Grade Mosaics and Installation Art

Students in this semester-long course will create mosaics and installation art using a variety of media and techniques. Course content includes the history of mosaic art, as well as creating temporary and permanent installations.

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. 

Mosaics and Installation Art Syllabus

Texts used:  Scholastic Art Magazine, Art: A Global Pursuit

7th Grade Art

Students in this semester-long course will create original artwork using a variety of media and techniques. Curriculum is loosely based on what students study in social studies this year. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. Students are also responsible for keeping a sketchbook with assigned and “free” sketches outside of class. 

7th Art Syllabus (1st semester)

7th Art Syllabus S2 (2nd Semester)

Text used: Scholastic Art Magazine

7th Grade Digital Art

Students in this semester-long course will create digital art using Google Drawings and Adobe Photoshop. Digital photography and artwork will include portraiture, landscape, and graphic design. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. 

7th Digital Art Syllabus

Text used: Scholastic Art Magazine

7th Grade Animation

Students in this semester-long course will create a variety of artwork on paper and the computer related to animation, defined as “the act or process of giving life to.” Students will also analyze Pixar shorts in terms of literary elements and the elements and principles of design. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. Students are also responsible for keeping a sketchbook with assigned and “free” sketches outside of class. 

Animation Syllabus

Text used: Scholastic Art Magazine

6th Grade Art

The 6th grade art curriculum is almost entirely integrated with students’ CORE coursework. Each unit focuses on students’ personal expression in an original artwork combined with the study of a specific artist, technique, culture, and/or time period within the history of art. Students also are introduced to new art terminology so they can better communicate their ideas about art. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum through discussions, art analyses, and original artwork. Students are responsible for taking notes, participating in discussions, analyzing their work and the work of others, and working on original artwork during class. 

6th Syllabus

Texts used:  Scholastic Art Magazine, Art: A Global Pursuit

4th & 5th Grade Art

4th and 5th graders have Art once each week for the entire year. Lessons are loosely based on what students learn in other subject areas while focusing on a specific artist or culture. Students learn how to use a variety of media and techniques to create original artwork, including drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and ceramics. 

Textbook used:  Adventures in Art

Useful Links

National Core Arts Standards