National Standards (K–4)

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

• Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes
• Students describe how different materials, techniques, and processes cause different responses
• Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories
• Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions

• Students know the differences among visual characteristics and purposes of art in order to convey ideas
• Students describe how different expressive features and organizational principles cause different responses
• Students use visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas

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

• Students explore and understand prospective content for works of art
• Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning

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

• Students know that the visual arts have both a history and specific relationships to various cultures
• Students identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, and places
• Students demonstrate how history, culture, and the visual arts can influence each other in making and studying works of art

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

• Students understand there are various purposes for creating works of visual art
• Students describe how people’s experiences influence the development of specific artworks
• Students understand there are different responses to specific artworks

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

• Students understand and use similarities and differences between characteristics of the visual arts and other arts disciplines
• Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum National Standards