The Grade 4 Visual Arts curriculum empowers students to become sophisticated storytellers who bridge their personal traditions with a global perspective. The year begins with “This Is How We Do It,” where students celebrate their heritage by translating family traditions and rites of passage into vibrant works using intermediate and tertiary color schemes. This exploration of identity expands outward in “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” as students examine their relationship with the natural world, mastering principles of pattern and rhythm while considering the ethics of art preservation and curation.
In the third unit, “We Can Be Heroes,” students turn their focus to community values, utilizing symbols and anatomical proportion to create hero portraits that honor those who inspire them. The year concludes with “Story Time,” a joyful synthesis of the year's learning where students explore how cultures worldwide use art to communicate history. By experimenting with advanced media like paper mache and plaster, students refine their narratives through persistent revision and peer feedback. Ultimately, Grade 4 students emerge with a deep appreciation for the power of visual language to preserve culture, celebrate community heroes, and share their unique lived experiences with the world.