Art is not apart; it is a continuum within which we all participate. All children from Nursery through Sixth Grade come to the Art Room for a dedicated art curriculum, designed for children to grow as artists, as problem-solvers, as thoughtful members of our community.
Approach
Throughout the years, all students develop an artistic vocabulary. They are introduced to a range of artists, from the masters to contemporary artists—with a thorough investigation of cultural art—which allows them to become familiar with art history, art movements and art criticism. Within each unit of study, the students look at artworks that support the concepts and vocabulary taught in that unit. They have opportunities to describe, analyze, interpret and critique works of art. Through this process they learn to recognize and describe the art elements— form, line, shape, color, texture, space, value—and art principles—emphasis, balance, harmony, variety, movement, rhythm, proportion, unity—used in the individual pieces.
Some of our 1st and 2nd graders are working on the SEL skill of compromise. Teachers are incorporating skits, group games, journal prompts, and readings to focus them on two ways to compromise: mix ideas together in an “Idea Pot” and/or balance the scales of fun by taking turns. They practiced by using these skills to negotiate disagreements, like whether to play tag or build forts, make mud cakes or fairy houses.
Many thanks to the construction team for providing our children with tours and information about the process of building our new Library! 👷♀️🏗#buildingcuriousminds #librarylove #constructingdreams
New research concludes that play-based learning can have a greater positive effect on the acquisition of skills like math, shape knowledge, and task switching than more traditional approaches that prioritize seat time and explicit instruction. Click the link in our bio to read the article. #playbasedlearning #joyinlearning #childhoodshouldbefun
Some weeks in kindergarten are magical and last week was one of them! They celebrated the 100th day of school, practiced counting and letters, made maple syrup AND their own pancake batter, and worked together in the sandbox to create a sturdy cave, a strong bridge, and many paths for water to flow! #childrenlearnbydoing #themiquonschool
Thank you, Andre Robert Lee, for your kind words and commitment to our school! André is an award-winning filmmaker and we are very lucky to have him as a Board member. 😀 #themiquonschool #proudtobemiquon
Building Bridges: 1st and 2nd grade students recently completed a deep dive of bridges as a way to learn about design, engineering, and the scientific process. They read books, looking for hints about what makes a good bridge; made first-hand observations of bridges on campus; and watched videos about the forces that act on them. Throughout the weeks, they built on their knowledge and tested ideas by crafting their own bridges, recording their process and what they learned at each step. The study culminated in the challenge to use toothpicks and gumdrops to create a bridge that spanned a piece of paper without collapsing.
With demolition complete, we recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to usher in the construction phase of our new Library and classroom building. We can`t wait to fill it with students, books, and learning! Many thanks to all our donors for helping to make this moment possible. #buildingforthefuture #themiquonschool #proudtobemiquon
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Every child has the opportunity to observe, reflect, take risks, make mistakes, be playful, and have fun. Children have the opportunity to express themselves confidently through their art, and to know that this expression is a valuable and necessary component of a healthy community. More important than any academic consideration is this: our children make art. This ʻlearning by doingʼ is the central and guiding ideal at Miquon. In the Art Room, it forms the foundation and the core of all that we do.
More about the Art Curriculum
At Miquon, we believe that students establish mastery at different times and in their own way. For that reason, The Art Curriculum Skills and Concepts are less specific than a traditional scope and sequence.
Want to delve deeper? There’s even more detail available in the annual Art Curriculum Report.
Other Art Happenings at Miquon
The Art Room is often open and available at Choice Time for students to come in and work on existing projects, or begin new ones. Each spring, the Art and Science Show is an event that showcases work from every child in the school. The art presentation is curated by the students and the art teacher for parents to view in exhibition format.
Art Teacher Nicole Batchelor: I believe that every child is an artist, and that the world needs artists in order to remain healthy and vibrant. Art is a process that allows students to explore and experiment with a variety of materials as they create. It empowers them to come to their own conclusions and understanding of what one can do with these materials. Every child should have the opportunity to observe, reflect, take risks, make mistakes, be playful and have fun. My greatest hope is to be a facilitator to each of my students as they continue along their individual paths. I want each child to be able to express themselves confidently through their art, and to know that this expression is a valuable and necessary component of a healthy community.