WHAT TO EXPECT IN ART IN THE FOURTH GRADE

    At the beginning of fourth grade, the review of the six basic shapes continues with the integration of art and science in the study of insects. Students design their own creative bugs with the required three segments of the bodies, correct numbers of legs, and symmetrical wings. Patterns and colors are discussed in preparation of a watercolor resist of the final metamorphosis of the insects.

    The basic skills of drawing with a light touch, drawing large, practicing for final pictures, and planning, because we work without an eraser, are some of the goals we continue to work on throughout the year. These skills are also honed with further still life and figure drawing practice. As well as drawing with regular, color , and watercolor pencils, we get further experience using chalks, pastels, oil crayons, tempera paints, clay, and if possible, papier mache and paris craft. Three dimensional and two dimensional projects are both part of the fourth grade studies in art. The study of color takes more of our time in understanding how to mix secondaries and tertiaries from primaries in several medium, and identifying analogous and complementary colors and how to recognize their successful use. Whenever feasible, we cooperate with classroom teachers to relate art with the fourth grade curriculum often relating social studies and science to art subjects. As in all the grades, all projects are written with reference to the New Hampshire and National Frameworks for Fine Art.