Scotch College

ART Year 7 – 2011

Rationale

By exploring the magical world of our imaginations we learn to discover new and creative forms of self-expression. Topics are chosen purposely to stimulate imagination and vary from the mythical and historical dragons and dinosaurs, warriors, architecture and machines of Fairy Tales and Legends, to stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, Celtic folklore and the Ancient civilisations of Greece, Egypt, China and Rome.

An introduction to artistic technique and design principles, Art history and Culture is interwoven through these themes, and complements what the boys study in the History and Design Technology subjects at this level.

Students work towards developing their knowledge by exploring art processes and ways to communicate concepts arising from their personal experiences and from the world around them.

In the Visual Arts students communicate ideas, observations and feelings using a range of media, materials, equipment and technologies to make art works. Students build on their knowledge and skills as they select, combine and experiment with ways of using a range of art elements, principles and/or conventions, skills, techniques and processes to explore art ideas sourced from their imagination and from other cultures.

With guidance students are helped to record their development in an art journal. Students consider the purpose and audience of their work as they explore various ways of presenting and range of art forms and begin to evaluate and refine their work in response to feedback. As they explore and respond to their own and others’ art works, students develop skills, techniques and processes for expressing emotions and ideas, and signifying purpose. Using appropriate art language they begin to identify and describe ways they and others use specific elements, principles and/or conventions, skills, techniques and processes and discuss how ideas, feelings and purposes are conveyed. They reflect on their own art works and ideas as well as art works from other cultures; identifying key features of the work as well as discussing the function of art in the community.  

Course content

This course aims to:  

• provide an art experience that allows for individual differences.

• promote creativity and imagination through a range of art forms that communicate experiences, ideas, concepts, observations and feelings.

• to encourage self-expression and individuality while promoting social skills and responsible attitudes.

• satisfy the desire to manipulate, construct, experiment with and shape and control materials, so that students develop sensitivity to his environment through discriminatory selection.

• Contribute to the student’s confidence in his own ability, clarifying and extending his knowledge, cultivating his individuality.

Drawing is an important part of the creative process. Students will be presented with activities and tasks that allow them to develop and explore their drawing skills. Often drawing is the starting point for artistic expression and design and therefore is important for the students confidence and ability for self expression. Observational and conceptual drawing tasks will be presented to the students to help develop their visual awareness.

Students will have the opportunity through the course of the semester to explore both two dimensional and three dimensional art and design methods.

It is expected that they would complete activities and tasks in drawing, painting, print making and sculpture, using a range of different media.

Information Communication Technologies (ICT)

Students will be required to use a range of ICT as they respond and find solutions to artistic and design tasks and problems. Students will have the opportunity to use photocopiers, computers and scanners, digital cameras and computerised milling machines. As they explore to art from other cultures they will use ICT in the research and reporting through the internet and different presentational programs.

Assessment

Throughout the semester students will produce both two and three dimensional art works including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. The students will record their art work in a journal as a response to their individual environment and personal experiences.

Assessment descriptors for Report Semester One & Two  

Task 1: Design and Development Journal

Task 2: Finished Art Work

Task 3: Research Assignments/ICT Application