National Standards for Art Education

These are the National Standards for Art Education, and the way that they are followed in a choice-based art room:

Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media,techniques, and processes

With six to nine stations operating at a time, demonstrations of materials and techniques given at each one, and the opportunity to experiment at each one, the students become versed in more varieties of materials, techniques, and processes than in a traditional project-based art classroom setting.

Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions

This content is covered at the cardboard construction station, where three-dimensional found-object sculpture can be created with movable parts.

Content Standard #3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

The choice-based classroom allows the student to choose his or her subject matter and evaluate the best way to present that subject matter to his or her audience.

Content Standard #4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures

In five-minute demonstrations at the beginning of each class, multiple cultures and historical masters in art can be presented.

Content Standard #5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others

We discuss the importance of reflecting on one's work in order to continually improve and grow. Students in second grade through fifth grade write a statement about their artwork every time that they finish a work. Third grade through fifth grade students keep all work in a portfolio, which is used by the teacher for assessment, and by the student and teacher together twice a year. The work of master artists is viewed and discussed frequently.

Content Standard #6: Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines

With individuals, I discuss how the problem-solving done in each art work transfers to learning in their other subjects. With whole groups, we discuss how the skills used in the art room transfer to math, science, cultural learning in social studies, writing, and everyday lives.