While Artistic Pursuits was designed for the homeschooler, it contains all the content educators need for classroom use. ARTistic Pursuits has been used in classrooms across the US for over 13 years. While there is no teacher's manual, the books are easily adapted to a classroom or group setting. Click this link to see how the program is used in THE K-3 CLASSROOM. Click this link to see how it's used in THE 4-12 CLASSROOM .

Standards are useful in creating a well rounded fine arts program and something educators are required to consider when planning a course. Standards in my state have recently been rewritten in vague terms with an emphasis on cooperative learning. The ARTistic Pursuits program will continue to value excellence in individual performance, which is so much a part of the creative spirit within the arts. Visit your State Department of Education for current state standards on Visual Arts Education. ARTistic Pursuits meets National Standards #1-5. National Standard #6 is used when the art history lessons aid the study of history or cultures. It also comes into play when doing illustrations of books by bringing literature and art together. You may find more ways to bring other disciplines into the art room. A SCOPE AND SEQUENCE is also available here.

National Standards for Arts Education

Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes
Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions
Content Standard #3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas
Content Standard #4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures
Content Standard #5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others
Content Standard #6: Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines

National and state standards recognize dance, music, theatre and visual arts as the art forms, suggesting students become knowledgeable in all areas and proficient in the use of one. Using ARTistic Pursuits, students become proficient in the visual arts, gaining a solid foundation on which to build their skills. ARTistic Pursuits books introduce a variety of media, show techniques and processes, teach the organizational principles of art (the elements of art and principles of design). They involve students in a variety of subject matter while introducing students to art history and variety within cultures. It teaches students to evaluate their own art and gives them an appreciation for artwork of all kinds. Learn how ARTistic Pursuits presents information in each content area.

THE ELEMENTS OF ART (Content Standard #2 and #3)

A single work of art is made with all or some of these elements: space, line, shape, texture, form, value, and color. These represent the different marks or effects used when drawing or painting. As students learn to focus on each element individually, their work improves dramatically. Each of the first 8 units within each book (4 -12th grades) covers one of these elements. At the K-3 level students are introduced to the elements of art in Book One.

COMPOSITION (Content Standard #2 and #3)

The arrangement of the elements within the picture space is called composition or most often referred to as the Principles of Design. A study of composition should include balance, rhythm, depth, perspective, proportion, viewpoint, and emphasis. Understanding the many ways that a picture can be arranged will give students the ability to draw with purpose and to get their ideas across visually to others. Each of the last 8 units within each book (4 - 12th grades) is based on the list above.

MEDIA (Content Standard #1)

Media are the materials an artist uses to make marks. Each medium has its own characteristics. It is best if the student spends some time with each medium to better understand its strengths and limitations. Artistic Pursuits books introduce students to a variety of media to create a broad understanding of the methods of artists. Techniques pages are a part of each unit in the 4-12th grade books. K-3 are shown the methods used as each new medium is introduced.

ART APPRECIATION (Content Standard #5)

Art appreciation helps students see the topic of each unit in a work of art by the masters. When students see the elements used in the work of others, they are more able to understand how to use the element in their own work. They will also be more informed when visiting an art museum or evaluating the art on your walls! Art appreciation is covered on the second page within each unit. (Grades 4 - 12) Art appreciation is a part of every lesson with Grades K-3 books.

ART HISTORY (Content Standard #4)

A great approach to art history is to begin at one point in time and progress through time to another point so that students see how one period influenced the next. This is the approach used in the K-3 series. Art history is used as a springboard for the creative assignments in Grades K-3 Books, while Grades 4-12 learn about artists, time periods, and cultures. Grades 4-6 study American art history. Junior High students study World Art. Senior High students study European art history.