Year 8 Art and Design

Brief summary of the specification:

The course follows National Curriculum guidelines for Key Stage 3 Art and Design. The aim is to extend the pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding within the subject and thereby stimulate creativity and imagination. In Year 8 pupils work on one project called 'Natural World'. Pupils explore the way artists such as Ruskin, Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland observed and drew natural forms, and make their own studies in a range of 2D media. They then explore the work of sculptors such as Jean Arp, Barbara Hepworth and, again, Henry Moore, before developing their own imaginative sculptural forms from clay, plaster and found objects.

What skills/attributes are being developed and examined?

Pupils develop further their ability to discuss and analyse artworks. They explore the basic elements of line, tone, space, pattern, surface and form, and how to combine these within their work. They explore linear and tonal observational drawing techniques, watercolour and pastel painting, and carving and modelling. Pupils are encouraged to develop sensitive use of materials and processes, and imaginative and intuitive ways of working.

What can parents expect to see in classwork and homework specifically?

All project work should be organised in an A4 presentation file. As well as the practical work itself, this will include a project sheet giving general guidelines, a mark sheet showing levels achieved and written feedback, and a journal in which ongoing guidelines, evaluations and research are recorded. Homework will usually involve continuing work that has been introduced in class - short instructions will be noted in the pupil's homework diary, but these may be supplemented by more detailed instructions noted in the journal.

What can parents do to help in this subject at this stage?

Parents can ensure that pupils come prepared to lessons with the recommended file and a good selection of basic equipment such as pencils (including a 'push pencil'), 30cm ruler, sharpener and eraser. Materials for 3D work and painting are provided. They can also familiarise themselves with guidelines contained in the file and encourage pupils to apply themselves to their homework. In relation to the project theme, parents could raise their son's awareness of forms and structures found in the natural world - shells, seed heads, weathered stones or wood forms found in the garden or by the seashore, and even visit natural history museums, and galleries showing the work of relevant artists. A visit to the Henry Moore Foundation would be particularly useful. Pupils could also be encouraged to take an interest in natural history programmes or research into microscopic biological structures.

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Scheme and method of work:

In Year 8 pupils are timetabled to study 'Design'. This is the title given to the 'Design Circus' which consists of five blocks of approximately eight weeks. 'Art and Design' is taught within two of these blocks. 'Design Technology' is taught in the other three blocks. At any given time therefore, pupils study either Art and Design or Design Technology, and for 4 periods per week. It is important that boys understand both the difference between these subjects and the connections between them. Blocks from both subjects are used to complete the single project, with the focus being on 2D work in the first block and 3D work in the second. The scheme of work is shown on the project sheet, which is given out at the start of the project and kept in the front of the pupil's file.

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Testing:

In Year 8 project work alone is used to indicate level of achievement. The assessment sheet contained in the pupil's file is used for this purpose. Headings and tick boxes are used to indicate levels achieved for different sections of work and to build up a 'profile' of strengths and weaknesses. The assessment sheet is used as a guide to arrive at five percentages; two in the first block and two in the second, with a final overall percentage at the end of the second block. These are the equivalent of 'test marks' in other subjects.

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Revision:

In Art and Design there are no tests in the usual sense, so revision as such is not applicable. However, in order to achieve the highest level possible it is important to become familiar with the criteria shown on the assessment sheet, check guidelines carefully and follow both group and individual feedback as attentively as possible, so that work can be evaluated and improved. This is important at each stage of the project, but particularly towards the end, when the project should be reviewed as a whole, in terms of both content and presentation.

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Pupil Target Setting:

Personal target setting should arise out of group and individual feedback given lesson by lesson. This should be noted in the journal section of the pupil's Art file. Action points will also be given by teachers through written feedback on assessment sheets. It is important that these are used to improve work.

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Grade descriptor for top level grade in this subject:

In Art and Design in Year 8, work is graded A* to E. A is 80 - 89%, A* 90 - 100 and so on. A grade 'A' pupil will show excellent performance in relation to all six headings on the assessment sheet. It is worth noting that 'Studentship' and 'Documentation' are the first two headings. This is because a pupil who pays attention in class, follows guidelines well, takes pride in the presentation of his work and applies himself in an independent and organised way will also have prepared himself in the best possible way to do well in other areas. He is likely to show an appreciative and intelligent response to artworks discussed, sensitive exploration of materials and techniques, imaginative development of ideas, and refinement in the completion of final work. This is likely to be the result, not so much of the time put in, but rather in the quality of care and attention given.

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