Art is a chance for students to explore their creative sides. We feel that art helps keep the creative mind active. An active creative mind also means an active intelligence.

Art demands seeking solutions to problems, seeing patterns, trying new ways of expression. Art also promotes creativity, intelligence and mental health, even just when viewed. Here, students will be doing more than that.

Students in first through fifth grade meet with a certified art teacher for about 45 minutes two times each cycle. Students in 4-year-old kindergarten and 5-year-old kindergarten create art projects in class with their classroom teachers.

Art units include Elements and Principles of Design, Know the Artist, Art History and Art Styles.

During these units, the art program provides opportunities for students to:

• Think critically and creatively
• Learn to express and communicate their ideas through their art work
• Develop multiple methods of problem solving (measurement, color, etc.)
• Use a variety of resources in solving problems (i.e. study characteristics of an animal before starting a project)
• Develop curiosity and open-mindedness
• Give and receive criticism in positive ways
• Learn to identify, understand and value visual forms in the natural and man-made environment

Parents can encourage creativity at home by:

• Providing an area with easily accessible art materials such as crayons, markers, paper, old magazines, fabric scraps.
• Talking with your child about what they are creating and asking questions. (Why did you use this color for your animal?)
• Visiting art galleries, museums, folk festivals and artists’ studios.