What Art looks like at St Mark's.....

Art projects are based on the topic being studied in History or Geography for that term and supports the rich curriculum on offer at St Mark's.  Art is taught as a sequence of skilled based lessons leading to a final project. 

Following on from KS1, the children will learn to engage with Art by exploring and developing their ideas at a more in-depth level. This will involve thinking about a starting point for their art by making careful observations and by learning about great artists and designers in history. They will learn to investigate the visual and tactile qualities of a broad range of materials so they can decide which ones will best match the purpose of their work. They will improve their mastery of a range of key art and design skills by developing their knowledge and understanding of specific drawing, painting and sculpture techniques. Lessons involve the teaching of line, shape,tone, pattern and texture and how these elements can  be combined to produce a final piece of work. All children will have the opportunity to experience using a wide range of materials and are encouraged to explore mixed media. Children will engage in different artistic processes; they will use technology to produce images and patterns that can be integrated into their own work,  create their own printing blocks, engage in textile projects and use clay and wire to produce 3D models. Children are asked to evaluate and compare their final piece with a peer to enable them to consider how they could adapt and improve their work. 

Children have also had the opportunity to be taught by specialist art teachers, meet with visiting artists and visit other local schools to produce works of art.  The children's art is celebrated and can be seen on displays throughout the school and in the reception area.

Please see below for the Art Medium Term Plan, created by Mrs S Edmondson, Art Subject Leader.

What does "Mastery in Art" actually look like?

What is Mastery?

A child’s ability to skilfully apply their learning in more in‐depth ways is called Mastery. Mastery is not just knowing a fact, but it is using that fact in increasingly more complex situations to extend their learning. Mastery also enables children to work in ways which show a deeper understanding of a given task.

What is Mastery in Art?

In the Art curriculum Mastery is when a child is able to research an art movement or artist in greater depth and adapt ideas and process into their own art. They would display a higher level of technical skill with a broad range of tools and media and think of innovative ways to use this knowledge to enhance creativity and develop a style of their own. When evaluating their work they are more analytical and work independently to assess and improve their art. They have a greater breadth of knowledge about artists and key art movements and can explain, make judgements and offer personal opinions about works of art.

How would a child’s Mastery of Art present itself?

1. Generating Ideas: Showing greater: complexity; research; observation; originality; perception; aspiration; creativity.
2. Making: Showing greater: technique; skill; control; complexity; mastery; quality; judgement; creativity.
3. Evaluating: Showing greater: judgement; autonomy; independence; perception; subtlety.
4. Knowledge: Showing greater: breadth; contextual understanding; explanation; judgement.

Top Tips for Parents..

• Encourage your child to experience art first hand by visiting local galleries.
• Look for opportunities to talk about and observe art e.g. in magazines, newspapers, on television and on the Internet.
• Look for patterns and different colours in nature to explore tone and texture.
• Encourage your child to engage in art activities at home, allow them to test out and experiment with different forms of media.
• Visit your local library for books on famous artists that will broaden your child's knowledge  and understanding of art. 

Wibbly Wobbly Web Links..

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/art&design/talkingtextiles/

http://kids1.tate.org.uk/blog/

http://www.culturestreet.org.uk/channel_home.php?channel=art