THE PENNRIDGE ELEMENTARY ART PROGRAM
In Pennridge our Art Curriculum is divided into four areas of study; Aesthetics of Art (what is art?), Art Criticism (what we like and don't like, and why), Art History (discovering art from different places and times), and Art Production (making art from different materials). Every student creates work in the following areas: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Graphic Arts, Ceramics/Sculpture and Textiles.
Note: We are often very messy in art class. An old shirt for a smock is essential to protect your child's clothes.
Students have art at least once every 6-day cycle, for the following amounts of time: Grades 1 and 2 for 45 minutes, grades 3 and 4 for 50 minutes and grade 5 for 55 minutes. For one marking period they have an extra half hour each cycle.
In Pennridge we believe in making strong connections between art and classroom studies. Our units often coordinate with science, math, language arts and social studies. Students all have journals where they can sketch, plan projects and write about art.
We feature student art work in many ways each year. Each school has student art published in the News Herald one issue in the year. Art is displayed for one month in our District Education Board Room. In May we have a school wide Art Show which includes at least three pieces of work from each child in grades 1-5. More information about these exhibits will be sent to you as those events approach.
While some art work may come home with your child during the year, we save the best pieces for these displays. You can expect to see all your child's work coming home in June. Please feel free to request to see work any time during the year. Our November and February conference times are good times to stop in the art room.
Parents are an important part of our program. You are welcome to visit an art class any time. (Please call ahead if you wish to do this.) Parents help mount our Art Show in May. Parents with artistic skills or who own interesting artifacts are invited to come and share them. We welcome any donated supplies, particularly mat board pieces, buttons, cotton fabric, small wood pieces and of course, egg cartons! Please call any time with questions or concerns and leave a message in voice mailbox 2801.