Visual Arts Grade 3

The Grade 3 Visual Arts curriculum empowers students to become "Courageous Creators" by bridging the gap between experimental risk-taking and deep, empathetic storytelling. The year begins with “Courageous Creators,” which establishes a joyful foundation of bravery where students embrace the element of chance and the "surprise" of artmaking through multi-textured collage. This spirit of exploration evolves into “From Here to There,” where students master more technical skills—such as oil pastel layering and the use of negative space—to map the emotional experience of navigating familiar and unfamiliar environments. The curriculum then pivots to interpersonal connection in “Through Each Other’s Eyes,” challenging students to use fabric arts and principles of balance to create portraits that honor the identities of their peers. The year culminates in the deeply personal “Storytelling Through Portraiture,” where students research their family histories to transform ancestral traditions into symbolic "powers" represented through art. By moving from internal exploration to external empathy and finally to ancestral heritage, students develop a sophisticated artistic voice that celebrates both their individual "swagger" and their collective cultural roots.

Units

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