Elementary Art

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Course Overview

The Acellus Elementary Art course is a dynamic and immersive exploration of the world of art, designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and a deep appreciation for various artistic elements and principles. Beginning with an introduction to personal artistic identity, students progress through units that cover fundamental aspects such as line, shape, color, form, space, and texture. The course extends into advanced topics, including the psychology of color, proportions, and the distinction between realistic and abstract art.

Through hands-on projects, Acellus Master Teacher Laura Bally engages students with diverse materials, techniques, and artistic styles, providing exposure to a broad skill set and a critical eye for assessing and appreciating artwork. The curriculum culminates in a celebration of art and color, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the elements and principles of art. The course concludes with a focus on illustrations, combining writing and visual arts in mixed media projects. Ultimately, the students are guided in creating a rich portfolio showcasing their artistic growth and understanding of the diverse facets of the artistic world.

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Sample Lesson - Let's Try It! Spring Birds

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Unit 1: Introduction to Art In the first unit, students embark on a journey of self-discovery as artists. They explore the fundamental building blocks of art, known as the Elements of Art. This unit lays the groundwork for the course, introducing students to the Principles of Art, teaching them how to establish and maintain an organized art space, and providing insights into the proper care of their artwork. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of sharing one's artistic creations and an introduction to saving and displaying artwork. Unit 2: Line and Shape Building on the foundational knowledge from Unit 1, students dive into the world of lines and shapes in Unit 2. They learn about the various types of lines and their significance in artistic expression. Practical exercises, such as creating line art and exploring geometric and freeform shapes, help students develop their artistic skills. Additionally, they experiment with watercolor paints to understand the interaction of lines and shapes, discovering the beauty of overlapping shapes in creating visually engaging compositions. Unit 3: Color Unit 3 focuses on the vibrant and expressive world of color. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the color wheel, primary and secondary colors, and the emotional impact of warm and cool colors. Practical applications of this knowledge include hands-on experiences with chalk pastels and the creation of artwork inspired by the color-changing chameleon. The unit also introduces students to the language used in discussing art and facilitates the comparison of different artworks. Unit 4: Form Exploring the concept of form, Unit 4 delves into both geometric and organic forms. Students engage in hands-on activities such as dough art and origami paper folding to grasp the three-dimensional nature of form in art. The unit introduces them to the works of renowned artist Alexander Calder, encouraging them to appreciate and analyze sculptures. By the end of the unit, students have a solid understanding of the distinction between organic and geometric forms and the artistic possibilities each offers. Unit 5: Space Unit 5 is dedicated to the exploration of space in art. Students learn about positive and negative space, both in two-dimensional and three-dimensional contexts. Concepts of perspective are introduced, guiding students in understanding how to create depth and dimension in their artworks. The unit culminates in an exploration of spatial relationships, including foreground, middleground, and background elements, providing students with tools to compose visually compelling artworks. Unit 6: Texture Texture takes center stage in Unit 6 as students delve into the tactile and visual aspects of art. They explore different types of texture, investigate how texture exists in the environment, and engage in hands-on activities to create textured paintings. The unit encourages experimentation with materials such as metal tooling or aluminum foil, allowing students to experience the interplay between visual and tactile textures in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks. Unit 7: Art Museums and Value Unit 7 broadens students' perspective on art by exploring its presence in the local community and in museums. They engage in critical analysis of artworks depicting daily life and gain an appreciation for the diverse forms art can take. The unit then introduces the concept of value, emphasizing the creation of tints and shades. Practical exercises with charcoal further deepen students' understanding of value, culminating in the creation of value landscapes. Unit 8: Drawing Basics Drawing takes the spotlight in Unit 8, providing students with a solid foundation in observational drawing. They learn to sketch geometric and organic shapes, practice blind contour drawing, and engage in drawing projects that reinforce the elements of art. The unit serves as a review of essential drawing skills, preparing students for more advanced artistic endeavors in subsequent units. Unit 9: Principles of Art and Balance Unit 9 introduces students to the principles of art, guiding them through an exploration of balance. They gain insights into symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance, applying these principles in various art projects. The unit fosters creativity and self-expression, encouraging students to develop radial design mandalas and symmetrical alien creations. The culmination is a practical application of the principles of art in engaging and balanced compositions. Unit 10: Unity and Harmony Building on the principles introduced in Unit 9, students explore the concepts of unity and harmony in Unit 10. Through hands-on projects, they learn to create harmonious compositions using color, texture, shape, and form. Projects such as paper mosaic and still life with overlap demonstrate the interplay of artistic elements in achieving unity and harmony. The unit encourages students to draw inspiration from artists like Monet, fostering a deeper appreciation for different artistic styles. Unit 11: Variety, Emphasis, and Movement Unit 11 focuses on the dynamic aspects of art, introducing students to the importance of variety, emphasis, and movement. They explore different types of variety in art and learn to use line, shape, and color to create emphasis. Practical exercises, such as drawing movement and creating optical illusions, provide students with the tools to convey a sense of dynamism in their artwork. The unit culminates in the creation of artworks depicting movement, fostering an understanding of how artists convey energy and motion on a static canvas. Unit 12: Pattern Patterns take center stage in Unit 12 as students explore the repetition and rhythm inherent in art. They learn about the relationship between line and pattern, create woven projects, and delve into the world of tessellations. The unit encourages students to analyze how patterns are used in various artworks and provides them with the skills to create their own visually engaging patterns. Unit 13: Proportion Unit 13 introduces students to the concepts of proportion and scale. They practice creating artworks that depict proper proportion, such as spring birds and snow people. The unit emphasizes the importance of careful observation and measurement in art. Furthermore, students develop their skills in looking at and assessing artwork, fostering a critical eye and an appreciation for the mastery of proportion in artistic compositions. Unit 14: Color (Advanced) Building on the foundation laid in earlier in the course, Unit 14 delves into advanced color concepts. Students explore processes for mixing colors, experiment with tertiary colors, and gain a deeper understanding of neutrals. Practical exercises involving oil pastels and tempera paint reflection further expand students' color palette. The unit also explores the psychology of color, allowing students to understand how color choices can evoke specific emotions in their artwork. Unit 15: Realistic, Abstract, and 3D Art Unit 15 broadens students' artistic horizons by introducing the distinctions between realistic and abstract art. They engage in creating realistic balloon animal art and abstract alphabet art, fostering an appreciation for the diversity of artistic expression. The unit also explores various forms of 3D art, including clay relief, coil pots, and fiber art, providing students with hands-on experiences in creating tangible, three-dimensional artworks. Unit 16: Celebrate Art and Color Unit 16 serves as a comprehensive review of the elements and principles of art, celebrating each element and principle individually. Students explore primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, as well as warm and cool colors, neutrals, and complementary colors. The unit encourages a reflective and celebratory approach, allowing students to showcase their understanding of the diverse elements and principles of art. Unit 17: Illustrations Unit 17, the course's culmination, focuses on illustration. Students explore the roles of authors and illustrators, grasping how visuals enhance storytelling. Literary and visual arts converge as students create poems paired with illustrations. Noteworthy mixed media projects, such as "Alphabet Soup" and "Sky Writing," challenge students to experiment with various materials, pushing conventional boundaries. The unit closes with a Portfolio Review, prompting students to reflect on their artistic journey and present a personal artwork symbolizing their growth and creativity.