These Learning Standards are part of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. This edited version was prepared by Bruce R. Dean, National Board Certified Art Teacher. Each art lesson is targetted to meet these standards for student learning.
The Learning Standards for the High School Visual Arts are:
1. Media, Materials, and Techniques. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the media, materials, and techniques unique to the visual arts.
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
1.9 Demonstrate the ability to create 2D and 3D works that show knowledge of unique characteristics of particular media, materials, and tools
1.10 Use electronic technology for reference and for creating original work
1.11 Explore a single subject through a series of works, varying the medium ortechnique
(For example, a student makes a drawing, woodcut, and painting of astill life, landscape, or figure.)
1.12 Describe and apply procedures to ensure safety and proper
maintenance of the workspace, materials, and tools
By the end of extended study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will:
1.13 Make reasonable choices of 2D and 3D media, materials, tools, and techniques to achieve desired effects in specific projects
For example, students select a medium for its expressive qualities or structural properties.
1.14 Demonstrate a mastery of tools and techniques in one medium
1.15 Describe and apply procedures for the safe and proper maintenance of the workspace, materials, and tools; identify potential health hazards associated with materials and techniques, and possible substitutes for hazardous materials
2. Elements and Principles of Design. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the elements and principles of design.
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will:
2.12 Apply knowledge of color theory to a project focusing on the use of complementary colors. Be able to use values of colors in wet and dry media to create the illusion of 3D form on a 2D surface
2.13 Use color, line, texture, shape, and form in 2D and 3D work and identify the use of these elements in the compositions of others (Examples include: line as edge treatment and in patterns; color temperature, mass and volume as functions of color, size, perspective; negative space; visual and surface textures.)
2.14 Review systems of visualizing information and depicting space and volume, for example, scale and vanishing point, linear, atmospheric,
and isometric perspective; and create works using these systems
2.15 Create artwork that demonstrates understanding of the elements and principles of design in establishing a point of view, a sense of space, or a mood
By the end of extended study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will:
2.16 Create artwork that demonstrates a purposeful use of the elements and principles of design to convey meaning and emotion
2.17 Create artwork that demonstrates facility in selective use of elements and principles of design to establish a personal style
3. Observation, Abstraction, Invention, and Expression. Students will demonstrate their powers of observation, abstraction, invention, and expression in a variety of media, materials, and techniques.
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
3.8 Create representational 2D artwork from direct observation and from memory that convincingly portrays 3D space and the objects
and people within that space
3.9 Create 2D and 3D artwork that explores the abstraction of ideas and representations (For example, students make images that represent abstract concepts such as respect for human rights, empathy, solitude, community, justice, or injustice.)
3.10 Create 2D and 3D images that are original, convey a distinct point of view, and communicate ideas
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
3.11 Demonstrate the ability to portray emotions and personality through the rendering of physical characteristics in 2D and 3D work (For example, a student creates an expressive, yet recognizable, portrait or self-portrait in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, film, photography, or computer graphics.)
3.12 Demonstrate the ability to use representation, abstraction, or symbolism to create 2D and 3D artwork that conveys a personal point of view about issues and ideas (For example, students create visual metaphors for topics such as memories of childhood, feelings about growing up, or hopes for the future.)
4. Drafting, Revising, and Exhibiting. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the processes of creating and exhibiting their own artwork: drafts, critique, self-assessment, refinement, and exhibit preparation.
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
4.9 Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, organize, and complete long-term projects, alone and in group settings
¥ Conceptualize: plan, generate ideas, make preliminary sketches, participate in discussions, imagine outcomes, and set goals;
¥ Organize: choose materials and techniques to attain the desired look and feel; maintain work space and personal schedule; review progress of work with others; and revise work appropriately;
¥ Complete: prepare work for presentation or exhibition
4.10 Demonstrate the ability to develop an idea through multiple stages, responding to criticism and self-assessment
4.11 Maintain a portfolio of artwork that demonstrates a progression of ideas and skills over time
4.12 Choose and prepare artwork for exhibition, and be able to discuss their choices
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
4.13 Create a presentation portfolio that includes work in several media and that demonstrates a progression of ideas and preliminary and finished work in each medium
4.14 Demonstrate an ability to see their own personal style and discriminate among historical and contemporary styles
4.15 Demonstrate the ability to draw from other disciplines in the creation of a body of work
4.16 Organize and present an exhibit of a body of their own work to others
5. Critical Response. Students will describe and analyze their own work and the work of others using appropriate visual arts vocabulary. When appropriate, students will connect their analysis to interpretation and evaluation.
By the end of basic study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
5.8 Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast two or more works of art, orally and in writing, using appropriate vocabulary
5.9 Use published sources, either traditional or electronic, to research a body of work or an artist, and present findings in written or oral form
5.10 Critique their own work, the work of peers, and the work of professional artists, and demonstrate an understanding of the formal, cultural, and historical contexts of the work
By the end of extended study in grades 9Ñ12 Students will
5.11 Analyze a body of work, or the work of one artist, explaining its meaning and impact on society, symbolism, and visual metaphor
5.12 Demonstrate an understanding how societal influences and prejudices may affect viewersÕ ways of perceiving works of art