The goal of the Art Program at St. Joan of Arc is to present basic art concepts and to allow students of all abilities to express themselves and find enjoyment in art.  Lessons meet the curriculum standards of the Diocese of Joliet with an emphasis on responding to art, developing knowledge and skills in critical thinking, creative production, historical and cultural perspective, and aesthetics.

Grades 1-3

Classes meet for 30 minutes once a week.

Grade 1: Students use lines and shapes to create works of art.  The proper use and care of materials is emphasized.  Following directions is a very important skill for a successful project!

Grade 2:  Texture, shading and shadowing are introduced in 3-d drawings.  Showing depth in a drawing is explored.   A variety of materials (colored pencils, oil pastels, colored chalk, water colors and tempera paints) will be used throughout the year.

Grade 3:  Students will keep an ART JOURNAL. The horizon line is used in landscapes.   Depth in a picture is shown using one-point perspective.  The color wheel is introduced.

Grades 4-8

Classes meet for 35 to 40 minutes.  An Art grade is given.  Classes are broken down into 3 groups that will come to Art once a week for one trimester.

Grade 4: Positive/negative space is introduced.  A color wheel is made.  Projects involve using groupings of colors (warm and cool; complementary; ..)  Art vocabulary is introduced.  One-point perspective is used to show depth.  Techniques in drawing 3-D are taught.

Grade 5: The students start the year learning Gothic style calligraphy. We continue discussing positive and negative space in works of art.   Students explore mixing tints and shades of colors. Texture, shading and shadowing are used in drawing a 3-D tree.  Action figures are drawn using mannequins.  Continue describing works of Art using the elements and principals of art.

Grade 6-8 Students will continue using the vocabulary of the elements and principals of art.    They will continue drawing using one and two point perspective techniques.  3-D drawings will have a light source, shading and shadowing.

Grade 6: Self-portrait project

Wire sculptures

Grade 7: Carving a stamp

Clay animals

Artist research project

Grade 8:  Burnishing colored pencils

Watercolor landscapes