Scholars at AFIA are busy experimenting, creating, and problem solving.

For those families I have not yet had a chance to meet, my name is Dorothy Miller and I am the new Art teacher at AFIA.  I am excited to continue getting to know and work  with your student as we explore the world of art!  As AFIA families know, our school is committed to providing rich, artistic learning experiences for your student.  AFIA scholars receive fine art instruction in the art studio between two and three days each week.  The role of the visual arts program is to enhance and support the work your child is doing in their classroom as well as provide art-specific content instruction.  When it comes to visual expression, AFIA scholars exceed expectations with their  limitless creativity and desire to create innovating works of art.

Each grade level works to meet specific, age-appropriate fine art expectations that are designed to enrich the art experiences they encounter in their classrooms.  They are often exposed to a wide range of materials that encourage students to try new things and take creative risks.

Kindergarten-1st Grade

For our younger scholars, art class often focuses on experimentation with different materials, community building, and exploration of art through literature and vocabulary. This year we have worked a lot with watercolor paints and other interesting media while learning basic art principles such as line, shape, and color.  For the Pre-K students, many of our activities are designed to promote fine motor skills as we master the use of scissors, glue, and delicate paintings combining crayon and watercolor.  1st graders are challenged to improve on these skills while recognizing and creating artworks that feature complex patterns and explorations of texture. Moving forward, we will continue to use these skills, encourage students to solve challenging visual arts problems, and build our art vocabulary.

2nd-3rd

Second and 3rd graders have been working hard to fine-tune their visual arts craftsmanship while combining various materials and making connections between artworks and life experiences.  We have explored pattern, landscape, and texture through projects that artistically support mathematical thinking and problem solving. The art program encourages scholars to use their observational skills in ways that will enable them to better describe the world around them. These skills foster critical thinking as well as improving their ability to communicate visually.  As we move through the school year, I look forward to exploring sculpture and continuing our focus on art appreciation.

4th-6th

4th, 5th, and 6th graders have been busy applying their previously learned art skills in challenging ways.  In addition to community building activities, we have studied apples and other natural materials in projects that require scholars to look and think deeply about the ways that artists successfully describe objects from observation.  In these observational studies we have been using a variety of materials.  Oil pastel, graphite, collage, and watercolor studies encourage the students to expand upon their skills in a wide range of art media.  We continue to focus on art-specific vocabulary as well as the similarities and differences between the concepts we learn in art, writing, and math.  I am consistently impressed with the students’ passion and commitment to the work they do in their classroom communities and am excited to support them in art as they continue to meet their learning goals.  I look forward to beginning our sculpture unit and providing opportunities for AFIA scholars to connect with artists, museums, and the amazing arts community in Kansas City.

 

Please feel free to contact me at school or anytime through email at dorothy.miller@afiakc.org.  I would love to hear from you regarding  your student as well as  any questions or suggestions that could help me provide the best possible art experience for your child.