Horseheads Elementary Schools
Art Program
In our art program, the combination of utilizing the normal desire for children to create with the more academic types of learning presents a composite rather than segmented learning experience. The understandings are greatly enhanced through the visual, particularly when the child has been a part of the total created project.
Children by nature are dynamic and vibrant and wish to express in concrete forms their inter-sensitivities. In our program the educator capitalizes upon these characteristics in order to more effectively provide educational and recreational experiences during the educational process. It is with these thoughts in mind also, that each lesson in planned at whatever level to provide flexibility and individual expression.
In the primary grades, the main objective is placed on the manipulative process. Here a child becomes aware of a whole new world of expression and learning through art.
As a child reaches the higher grades, generally a desire for more realistic form and perfection emerges. Here lessons are designed to fill that need. Each child is also encouraged to explore new art forms. Children learn about art or anything else in relation to their needs and interests. For this reason, strong motivation and individualization is important to any planned lesson. The learning rate, the material to be mastered and the nature of the work, varies greatly within any group of children. This is why the individual mode of teaching is important.
Art in our elementary school provides opportunity for creativity in every child and is important for the basic structure of becoming more creative. The better a child can express himself, the greater his or her feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. It is our aim to use the creative process to make children more creative, regardless of where this creativity may be applied later.
The goal of the art program is to use the combination of the normal desire for children to create with the more academic types of learning to present a composite rather than a separate learning experience. Lessons are enhanced through the visual experience.
In the primary grades, the main objective is the manipulative (fine motor) process. As a child reaches the higher grades, generally a desire for a more realistic art form emerges. Art provides opportunity for creativity in every child and is important for the basic structure of becoming more creative.