Ms. Snider's art curriculum provides art experiences for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The art classroom is designed as a student-centered, standards-based curriculum. Ms. Snider has been involved with (MALI) Maine Arts Leadership Initiative since 2012, focusing on best practices that will provide all students with a successful art education.
My art curriculum is aligned with the Maine Learning Results. Many aspects of the (NCCAS) National Coalition for Core Arts Standards are also implemented. The projects and activities are created using many areas of arts learning, such as drawing, painting, 2D & 3D design, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics.The four main areas of focus are CREATING, RESPONDING, CONNECTING and PRESENTING!!
Many of the projects and activities that support this curriculum are founded in the discipline-based approach. DBA uses artists and their work, styles and techniques to teach art processes. This gives the students cultural and historical context within the process. We study famous works in understanding aesthetics and criticism. I include ways to link these famous works to students everyday life. I believe this gives the art more personal meaning.
It is always important to know what is meaningful to student’s interests. What’s their spark? That is where much motivation comes from. Life and art are constantly changing. Many of the art skills students need to know are within the techniques and processes. My curriculum also follows the framework of “Studio Habits of Mind”. A very exciting approach to education that provides students with the skills essential for creating, responding, connecting, presenting and understanding their learning experience!
This curriculum is designed that every grade will study at least two famous artists and their work. Each grade will study art from a different part of the world to increase their awareness that art is universal and builds our sensitivity to cultural heritage. This enriches their experience and creates an appreciation for diversity. It is my belief that,
” Art is a form of communication! It reaches across time and culture
and tells us something! Something that gives us meaning!”, Janie Snider