Elementary Visual Arts Curriculum
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
The standards for Kindergarten Visual Arts serve as the foundation for further visual arts instruction. The standards place emphasis on cognitive, affective, sensory, and motor development, using a problem-solving approach. Students learn that art is a means for creative expression, has value, and connects to history, culture, and other areas of learning. Students come to understand that works of art are developed using a creative process.
Kindergarten students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
This unit introduces drawing skills and techniques to kindergarten visual art students. Students will engage in a variety of drawing activities designed to assist them in developing their skills and abilities to create artwork. Students will use different types of lines and techniques to assist in this process.
Standards: K.1.a, K.12.b.c.e, K.13, K.14, K.16
Unit 2: Painting
This unit introduces painting skills and techniques to kindergarten visual art students. Students will engage in a variety of painting activities designed to assist them in developing their skills and abilities to use different types of paints to create artwork. Students will be able to identify and use different colors in their works of art to express emotions. Students will learn the proper way to use and take care of art materials.
Standards: K.2, K.3.a, K.12.a, K.16, K.17.b
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
This unit introduces collage skills and techniques to kindergarten visual art students. Students will engage in various collage activities designed to help them develop their skills and abilities to create artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper and other items to create a collage using mixed media.
Standards: K.5, K.6.b., K.12.d, K.15, K.17
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
This unit introduces ceramic and sculpture skills and techniques to kindergarten visual art students. Students will engage in various three-dimensional activities designed to help them develop their skills and abilities to create artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper to create three-dimensional objects.
Standards: K.4, K.6.a, K.7, K.12.d, K.15, K.16
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
This unit introduces textile skills and techniques to kindergarten visual art students. Students will engage in various activities that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, and fine motor skills. Many of these activities will assist students in identifying and using texture, pattern, color to create artwork. Students will use motor skills to practice skills such as twisting, stitching and weaving.
Standards: K.1.b, K.3.b, K.8, K.15
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
This unit introduces printmaking skills and techniques to kindergarten visual arts students. Students will engage in various printmaking activities designed to help students develop skills needed to create artwork. Students will use fine motor skills to design a template for creating multiple prints. Students will use a variety of materials to create prints.
Standards: K.3.c, K.9, K.12, K.15, K.17
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
This unit introduces the term artist to kindergarten students. Students will be able to identify people who create art as artists. Students should also recognize that they are artists. Within this unit, students discover ways of using technology as a tool to create art. Students should be able to identify artwork created with contemporary media.
Standards: K.1, K.2.b, K.10, K.11
First Grade
First Grade Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
The standards for Grade One Visual Arts continue to emphasize that the visual arts are about ideas. Development continues in cognitive, affective, sensory, and motor domains. The standards continue to emphasize the ways that art communicate ideas, opinions, and emotions. Art production focuses on increased communication, creative thinking, and the depiction of stories, poems, ideas, and themes. Students explore why people have different responses to works of art.
First Grade students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
This unit introduces drawing skills and techniques to first grade students. Students will engage in a variety of drawing activities designed to assist them in continuing to develop their motor skills and creative thinking skills to create artwork. Students will use different types of lines and techniques to assist in this process.
Standards: 1.1.b, 1.12.b.c.d.e, 1.13, 1.14, 1.17.b
Unit 2: Painting
This unit continues to develop students’ painting skills and techniques. Students will engage in a variety of painting activities designed to assist them in developing their skills and abilities to use different types of paints to create artwork. Students will be able to identify and use different colors in their works of art to express emotions. Students will learn the proper way to use and take care of art materials.
Standards: 1.1.a, 1.3.a, 1.12.a, 1.16, 1.17.a.c
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
This unit introduces collage skills and techniques to first grad students. Students will engage in various collage activities designed to help them develop their skills and abilities to create artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper and other items to create a collage using mixed media.
Standards: 1.2.a, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6.b, 1.12.a.c.d, 1.15
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
This unit introduces increased ceramics and sculpture skills and techniques to students. Students will engage in various three-dimensional activities designed to help them develop their skills and abilities to create artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper to create three-dimensional objects.
Standards: 1.2.b, 1.12.d, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17.a
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
Students will continue to explore textile skills and techniques in this unit, engaging in various activities that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, and fine motor skills. Many of these activities will assist students in identifying and using texture, pattern, color to create artwork. Students will use motor skills to practice skills such as twisting, stitching and weaving.
Standards: 1.1.a, 1.3.c, 1.7, 1.12.a.d, 1.15, 1.17.a
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
This unit continues to engage students in developing printmaking skills and techniques. Students will engage in various printmaking activities designed to help students develop skills needed to create artwork. Students will use fine motor skills to design a template for creating multiple prints. Students will use a variety of materials to create prints.
Standards: 1.1.a, 1.2.a, 1.3.b, 1.12, 1.15
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
In this unit, students continue the process of recognizing themselves as artists. Students will be able to identify people who create art as artists. Within this unit, students continue to discover ways of using technology as a tool to create art. Students should be able to identify artwork created with contemporary media. Contemporary media art, also known as media art, is a broad category of contemporary artworks that use electronic media technologies to create, edit, and or broadcast.
Standards: 1.1.a, 1.6.a, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10,1.11
Second Grade
Second Grade Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
The standards for Grade Two Visual Arts focus on applying a creative process for artmaking. Students focus on the creative thinking skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills learned by developing ideas and artwork. Students express ideas using an increasing variety of art materials, skills, techniques, and processes. They explore and identify historical and cultural influences of artwork.>
Second Grade students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
This unit covers drawing skills and techniques to young artists. Students will engage in a variety of drawing activities designed to assist them in continuing to refine their motor skills, creative thinking skills, and problem-solving skills as artists. Students will continue to use different types of lines and techniques to assist in this process.
Standards: 2.1.b, 2.2.a, 2.3.b, 2.11, 2.12.c.d, 2.13.b, 2.14
Unit 2: Painting
In this unit, students will continue to develop painting skills and techniques through a variety of painting activities designed to assist in developing their abilities to use different types of paints to create artwork. Students will be able to identify and use warm, cool, and neutral colors in their artwork. Students will continue to learn about the proper way to use and take care of art materials.
Standards: 2.3.a, 2.4, 2.6.b, 2.9, 2.12.a, 2.13
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
This unit, students will engage in various collage activities designed to help them develop their skills and techniques to create artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper and other items to create a collage using mixed media.
Standards: 2.1.a, 2.2.b, 2.5, 2.15, 2.17
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
In this unit, students continue to develop motor skills by experimenting with a variety medium to include clay. Students will engage in various three-dimensional activities designed to help them improve their skills and abilities to complete three-dimensional artwork. Students will use motor skills needed to tear, pull, and cut paper to create three-dimensional objects.
Standards: 2.2.b, 2.5.a, 2.6, 2.7, 2.12.b, 2.15, 2.16
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
In this unit, students continue to develop textile skills and techniques by identifying and using texture, pattern, and color to create artwork. Students will engage in various activities that help them to develop critical thinking and problem solving. Students will use motor skills to practice skills such as twisting, stitching, and weaving.
Standards: 2.4, 2.9, 2.12.a.e, 2.15, 2.17
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
This unit continues to engage students in developing printmaking skills and techniques through various materials, activities, and projects. Students will use developed fine motor skills to design a template for creating multiple prints.
Standards: 2.1.a, 2.6.c, 2.12.a.e, 2.17
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
In this unit, students continue to recognize themselves as artists by identifying people who create art as “artists.” Students will explore different ways of using technology as a tool to create art. Students should be able to identify artwork created with contemporary media. Contemporary media art, also known as media art, is a broad category of contemporary artworks that use electronic media technologies to create, edit, and or broadcast.
Standards: 2.1.b, 2.2.a, 2.8, 2.10, 2.12.c.d
Third Grade
Third Grade Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
he standards for Grade Three Visual Arts emphasize learning through a creative process that involves brainstorming, problem solving, planning, and self-assessment. Students investigate the integral role of art and architecture within various cultures, and they use imaginative, expressive, and collaborative strategies to create works of art.
Third Grade students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
This unit introduces new drawing skills and techniques for students, expanding upon their background knowledge from K-2. Students will use organic and geometric shapes, while including the creative process in their drawings.
Standards: 3.1.a, 3.2.b, 3.3.a, 3.14. 3.15, 3.17
Unit 2: Painting
In this unit, students will engage in various painting activities that include identifying parts of the picture plane, color theory, and collaborating within the classroom.
Standards: 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.12.a.d, 3.13
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
Students will explore the world of collage and how to turn everyday materials into extraordinary works of art in this unit. Additionally, they will learn about the history of collage and discover how famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse used this technique to create their masterpieces.
Standards: 3.1, 3.3.b, 3.12.b, 3.15
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
Students will have the appropriate background knowledge of skills and techniques based on past grade-level visual art standards to continue developing their 3-D artistic technique and knowledge. Students will explore and engage in various projects exemplifying ceramic and sculptural techniques.
Standards: 3.3.c, 3.5.b, 3.6, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
Students will engage in textile projects that involve the elements of art and principles of design. They will use art vocabulary to assess and collaborate within the classroom, while utilizing creative thinking in their textiles.
Standards: 3.1.a, 3.2.a, 3.3.b, 3.11, 3.12.e, 3.15
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
This printmaking unit will engage in lessons and projects that embrace their creativity. Students will focus on developing ideas from various sources and investigating different cultures.
Standards: 3.2.c, 3.3.c, 3.6, 3.12.c.e, 3.17
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
This is the introduction of contemporary media for a third-grade visual art class. Students will engage in projects that involve collaboration and investigating various art careers.
Standards: 3.1.b, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.17
Fourth Grade
Fourth Grade Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
The standards for Grade Four Visual Arts continue to emphasize elements of art (e.g., color, form, line, shape, space, texture, value) and principles of design (e.g., balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, rhythm, unity, variety) as tools for visual communication, creative expression, and production. Students explore a range of art materials, subject matter, and ideas in their personal works of art as they engage in a creative process. Students examine influences of art of the past on contemporary culture.
Fourth Grade students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
This unit expands on drawing skills and techniques where students will explore and engage in various projects exemplifying the elements of art and principles of design. They will use and utilize various drawing and shading techniques while using the creative process.
Standards: 4.1, 4.2.b, 4.3.a.b, 4.12.c.e.f, 4.13, 4.14
Unit 2: Painting
In this unit, students will engage in a variety of activities that include color-mixing and collaborating with their peers.
Standards: 4.1.a, 4.2.b, 4.5.b, 4.12.a
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
This unit will allow students to explore and engage in the history of collage arts while investigating how to create depth on a 2-dimensional surface.
Standards: 4.3.c.d, 4.4, 4.6.b.c, 4.12.e, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16.b
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
Students will continue to hone their ability to produce projects that demonstrate quality craftsmanship of three-dimensional work. This unit will also include a variety of historical influences and students will be asked to utilize these artistic influences in their own personal artwork.
Standards: 4.3.a.b, 4.5.a, 4.6.a, 4.16.a, 4.17
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
Students will immerse themselves in fiber art projects that include weaving and sewing. Additionally, they will explore different cultures and artists that specialize in textiles.
Standards: 4.3.b, 4.6, 4.11, 4.12.b.d, 4.15, 4.16.b
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
Students will explore and engage in printmaking techniques that utilize the elements of art and principles of design.
Standards: 4.1.b, 4.2.b, 4.6.d, 4.12.a.d.e, 4.17
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
This unit will include digital media and traditional art media, and even ask students to combine these two media together. Students will be asked to utilize their background knowledge of skills and techniques based on past grade-level visual art standards.
Standards: 4.2.a, 4.3, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10
Fifth Grade
Fifth Grade Visual Arts Pacing and Unit Guides
The standards for Grade Five Visual Arts enable students to use their knowledge and skills to solve problems creatively and to analyze and interpret works of art. Students make artistic choices to communicate personal ideas, images, and themes. Students gain fluency in using and understanding elements of art and principles of design as they relate to artistic expression and communication.
Fifth Grade students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Drawing
Based on past grade-level standards, students will expand and engage in various projects exemplifying drawing techniques. They will use value, line, atmospheric perspective, depth, and proportion within their artwork.
Standards: 5.2.a, 5.3, 5.6.a, 5.12.d.f, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15
Unit 2: Painting
This unit continues to techniques of painting for fifth-grade students, where they will execute projects that include color theory, art history, and working collaboratively in the art room.
Standards: 5.2.b, 5.3.c.d, 5.5, 5.12.a, 5.15, 5.17
Quarter 2
Unit 3: Collage
Through this collage unit, students will expand their artistic skills and have fun with creative expression, using various techniques and materials.
Standards: 5.1.a, 5.6.b,c, 5.12.c.e, 5.16
Unit 4: Ceramics & Sculpture
Students will apply hand-building techniques and additive processes in ceramics and sculpture projects.
Standards: 5.3.a, 5.6.d, 5.12.b.c, 5.16
Quarter 3
Unit 5: Textiles
Students will utilize their appropriate background knowledge of skills and techniques to explore and engage in various projects exemplifying weaving and stitchery.
Standards: 5.1.b, 5.3.b, 5.5, 5.12.c, 5.15, 5.16.b
Quarter 4
Unit 6: Printmaking
Through this printmaking unit, students will explore new printmaking techniques, such as intaglio and etching, and use these techniques to create projects that reflect their skills and interests.
Standards: 5.2.a, 5.3.b, 5.6, 5.12.e.f
Unit 7: Contemporary Media
In this unit, students will continue to explore and engage in various projects exemplifying contemporary media. They will use digital devices and investigate the role of artists in the world.
Standards: 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11