Introduction.........................................................................................................
The purpose of a balanced visual arts program is to reinforce, encourage,
and meet the individual needs of our students from pre-kindergarten through the
twelfth grade. Each developmental level requires special programming and
attention to address the creative growth needs of our students. In order for visual
arts teachers to best meet our students’ needs, this curriculum guide has been
formatted to be used as a “living” document which may be added to and
enhanced as the needs of the teacher progresses.
The focus of this document is based on a Scope and Sequence pacing
guide to provide guidance for the age-appropriate introduction of methods,
exemplar unit plans, vocabulary, and techniques in the classroom. The North
Carolina Essential Standards are the backbone of this guide, which assures the
development of a balanced curriculum. These standards are built upon the
foundational strands: Visual Literacy, Contextual Relevancy, and Critical
Response. Other sections have been included to provide for the changing
climate of education as the individual teacher progresses in curriculum
development. Many resources have been initially provided, but will be further
enhanced as we address future issues.
Great effort has been placed on providing the most user-friendly document
possible to assist the visual arts teacher in organizing a comprehensive and
balanced curriculum. The No Child Left Behind legislation has deemed visual
arts as a core subject area. It is each teacher’s task to incorporate the standards
set by the state of North Carolina when developing the visual arts program in
each individual school.