About Our Visual Art Program
The North Haven Elementary Art Program provides students with a rich foundation in art. The program incorporates the National Art Education Standards, Connecticut Standards for the Visual Arts, a Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE) philosophy.
Students in grades K-5 work in media such as crayon, paint, clay, print-making, paper maché, and collage and master skills such as cutting, pasting, painting, etc. Lessons integrate classroom themes in language arts, social studies, and science,while incorporating Art History, Aesthetics, and Art Criticism.
The curriculum for each grade level is designed to nurture students’ creativity and problem-solving skills. In class students use a variety of media (materials), apply the Elements of Art and the and Principles of Design to their work, respond with appropriate vocabulary and evaluate the outcome of their work and the work of others.
The GOAL of the elementary art educators is to provide students the opportunity to observe and make rational judgments about art and the world around them. Above all, we hope students will learn about, enjoy and appreciate creating and viewing art.
WHAT IS ART?
ART-the most difficult word to define without starting endless argument! Many definitions have been proposed. At least art involves a degree of human involvement -- through manual skills or thought -- as with the word "artificial," meaning made by humans instead of by nature. Definitions vary in how they divide all that is artificial into what is and isn't art. The most common means is to rely upon the estimations of art experts and institutions.
WHY IS ART EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
Art education teaches students numerous skills needed in life, it helps students:
Learn to solve problems and make decisions
Build self-esteem and self-discipline
Build skills in cooperation and problem solving
Develop the ability to imagine what might be
Learn to weigh meaning and evaluate what is
Appreciate, understand, and be aware of different cultures and values
HOW CAN ART ENHANCE MY CHILD'S ABILITY TO LEARN?
Studies have shown that students with a strong education in fine arts score significantly higher (an average of 40 points) on SAT exams. Studies have also shown the arts create new outlets for students’ ideas and emotions resulting in fewer student disciplinary referrals and higher school attendance rates. Art is a universal visual language and students who study art develop better language, reading and writing skills. Therefore, art enables children to optimize their learning potential.