ALC10 Course Outline

Course Title:  GRADE 9 Comprehensive Arts, Open Grade Level: 9

Course  Code: ALC 10

Prerequisite: n/a

Course Overview 110 hours

This course examines the similarities and differences between dramatic arts, music and visual arts.  Students will learn a specialized arts vocabulary, investigate traditional concepts, stylistic elements, and principles unique to the various arts, as well as apply these principles to writing.  The arts nourish the imagination and develop a sense of beauty, while providing unique ways for students to gain insights into the world around them. . . Students who aspire to be writers. . . are not the only ones who can
benefit from study of the arts. In arts courses, students develop their ability to reason and to think critically as well as creatively. They develop their communication and collaborative skills, as well as skills in using different forms of technology. Through studying various works of art, they deepen their appreciation of diverse perspectives and develop the ability to approach others with openness and flexibility. They also learn to approach issues and present ideas in new ways, to teach and persuade, to entertain, and to make designs with attention to aesthetic considerations. . . All the arts reflect historical periods and cultural values.  One art form can be used as a stimulus for creating another. . . One art form can be an extension of another.  Subject matter from any course in the arts can be combined with subject matter from one or more courses in other disciplines to create an interdisciplinary course.  This interdisciplinary course will allow students to be involved in artistic expression, which involves clarifying and restructuring personal experience. It engages students in perception, production, and reflection.  This reflection will be communicated in writing, using various genres, giving the students the opportunity to explore various kinds of expression. Writing will be an important, but not the sole, medium for this expression. However, while the students will experiment with media, writing will be the medium which is used consistently throughout the course, weaving all the strands together.
(The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 & 10:  The Arts [1999]).

Visual Arts

Strands:
Theory:
• describe, orally and in writing, the elements and principles of the arts found in their own work and
that of others;
• explain the historical context and style of particular artworks/art forms;
• demonstrate an understanding of common practices (e.g., health and safety) while working in the
various arts areas.
• demonstrate an understanding of cultural characteristics that distinguish an individual’s and/or
community’s artistic identity;
• describe similarities and differences among careers in the arts and arts-related fields.

Creation:
• create a work by applying concepts common to all arts areas;
• create works in all arts areas by applying techniques specific to each;
• create works by using technologies and new technological information;
• use the creative process to produce artworks that demonstrate innovative connections among the
arts.
Analysis:
• describe how art can imitate life, with an emphasis on writing as an art form
• demonstrate an understanding that the function of art may vary from culture to culture.
• use critical analysis to examine expression in student and professional artworks;
• demonstrate the ability to conduct a step-by-step critical analysis of their own work and that of
others;

Units of Study

Visual Arts 

Written Response
 (word wall definitions, Matisse Room assignment, Chinese Calligraphy)
2-D Image Making
(name design, contour line drawing, One-point Perspective, Your Choice Word Wall, Matisse Room pastel, Continuous Line Drawing, Proportion Painting, Cartoon Lesson, Shading Lessons on Hatching, Cross Hatching, Stipling, Value Transition, Personal Item Drawing, Relication Assignment, Album Cover Assignment, Dreams Surreal Collage, Chinese Calligraphy)

Teaching Strategies
A diversity of teaching strategies are used based on class interest, individual needs, student strengths,
proven learning theory, and best practices.  For example:  workshopping, discussions,
and lectures.

Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
- written and oral feedback is given to the students
- the rubric for artistic create is used (see performance wall for example)
- students are encouraged to revise their work incorporating teacher and
peer feedback

Determination of Final Grade
100% of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the course.  The mark is then averaged with performance in the dramatic art and musical components of the semester.

Evaluation Summary
Evaluation will be based on the four categories as follows:
Knowledge and Understanding          20% Communication                                 15%
Thinking/Inquiry                              15% Application                                       50%