BJHS Visual Arts Courses
Visual Arts
The visual arts are taught with a comprehensive approach based on the
State of Illinois Goals for Learning in the Fine Arts. Course work includes
aesthetics, art criticism, art history, and art production. Visual arts course
work is required of all sixth and seventh grade students, and is a part of the
arts for life rotation. At the eighth grade level, students have the
opportunity to choose to participate in the arts for life rotation or to take a
foreign language. Study in the visual arts classroom supports learning in
mathematics, reading, writing and social studies.
In the Art Department, students develop their analytical skills by interpreting
and judging artworks by master artists for content, style, relevance to culture,
and as a source of historic information. In the art production part of the art
curriculum, students work in a studio setting in order to experiment, manipulate
and practice making art with a variety of 2-dimensional and 3‑dimensional
materials. These experiences include cooperative learning, planning, analysis,
synthesis, research, and presentation.
Learning is extended beyond the classroom by inviting visiting artists to share
their work and processes with students. In addition, the Open Studio and Honors
Studio programs offer students after school opportunities to further explore art
concepts, techniques, and materials not available during the regular school
day. Honors Studio and Open Studio students visit the Art Institute of Chicago
every other year and local artist’s studios.
Sixth grade students
explore color theory, basic drawing and painting skills. The study of clay
provides students opportunities to work with 3-dimensional art forms. Students
develop their critical thinking skills by analyzing and studying famous works of
art. The interrelated and interdisciplinary approaches to making art are a part
of our curriculum.
Seventh grade students
continue to develop their basic drawing and painting skills.The ceramics and
wood sculpture projects provide students the additional opportunity to build on
their 3‑dimensional concepts and techniques, while work in drawing focuses on
the laws of perspective and line quality. In painting, students explore the
world of color theory. These experiences along with study of multi-cultural
arts and historic art styles equip students to visually interpret their world.
Eighth grade students
explore more advanced 2-dimensional drawing and 3-dimensional studio
techniques. Students analyze Renaissance artists and art works for symbols and
metaphors. After completing historical research students create images in Adobe
Photoshop. The introduction of technology offers another vehicle for expression
and helps prepare students for the 21st century. |
