This program promotes an individualized approach to understanding the visual arts and their historical relevance. Drawing, painting, and 3-D design are explored while guest artists, workshops, and opportunities to enter regional and national contests provide experience in the field of art. This course is designed to enhance and promote personal awareness skills through individualized opportunities for expression. Students will learn a variety of techniques in drawing, painting, and 3-D media and the historical figures that developed and popularized these techniques. Emphasis will be placed on particular artists and students will be provided an opportunity to study and develop projects based on their research and understanding.
Special emphasis is placed on previewing, note-taking, outlining, and summarizing information.
Methods of research in libraries and on the internet, as well as the selection, location and appropriate use of reference materials are addressed. Mnemonic strategies are introduced to aid students in retaining information presented in content area classes, and to assist in vocabulary development. Test-taking strategies teach the student to allocate time and give careful consideration to instructions and questions. Students are taught to organize and monitor their assignments in a step-wise fashion from the initial recording of the assignment to organizing subtasks until the final assignment is reviewed and completed. The computer education program, which emphasizes word processing, keyboarding, and research is fully integrated into the curriculum.