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GCSD Art Department Website
Find more information about the district’s art teachers, art curriculum, student and staff work and more. The site is maintained by the GCSD Art Department.
Visit the GCSD Art Department website
Instructional Administrator
Shannon E. Elliott, Ed.D.
Instructional Administrator for Art & Design, Business, and Family & Consumer Sciences
Guilderland Central School District
elliotts@guilderlandschools.net
Elementary level (K-5)
Art assists in the development of the whole child as it supports the child’s emotional and intellectual growth through sensory experiences. The art curriculum is designed to promote creativity, imagination, problem solving, critical thinking and artistic expression. Each learning experience includes both a process and/or a product.
The elementary art curriculum includes a K-5 sequential learning process exposing children to a variety of techniques, concepts, and skills. The visual art curriculum allows the teacher to guide children through hands-on activities that integrate art history in both past and present cultures, are criticism, aesthetics, technology, and careers in art through studio experiences in the two and three-dimensional arts.
Children’s work is displayed throughout the classroom and building on a regular basis. An annual student art show is also held at the town library.
Elementary art teachers work closely with classroom and special area teachers to promote a positive, exciting learning experience. Connections are made across disciplines while simultaneously allowing children to express themselves as unique individuals.
Middle School level (6-8)
Students follow a curriculum that is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in Art and 21st Century Learning. At the middle level, students further explore and reinforce the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. A sequential continuum of learning through vertical teaming is designed to develop skill, technique and aesthetic awareness. Further exploration of materials and concepts are reinforced through the exploration of various artists and cultures. Continued development and promotion on the 21st Century Skills is an integral part of the six – eight art curriculum. These include; Creativity, Innovation, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Visual and Digital Literacy’s, Critical Thinking, Global Awareness, Accountability, Responsibility, Initiative and Productivity. Art teachers regularly integrate Literacy as part of their curriculum delivery.
At each grade level, students take art for 10 weeks. Art is delivered on a block schedule. These students are engaged in art every other day for 80 minutes. Additional art is available for students through Art Enrichment. Interested students seeking to advance their study in art at the secondary level may participate in the Accelerated Studio in Art class.
High School level (9-12)
The art department provides a variety of courses which allow students to appreciate, investigate and produce art through various media and techniques for self-expression. Each course follows the New York State Learning Standards in Art and is aligned with 21st Century Learning Skills. At this level the continuum of learning for students emphasizes the development of skill in the two and three-dimensional arts along with the electronic arts. The courses are designed to; amplify students’ interest, creativity and ability to become independent and self-directed learners, increase their awareness and impact that the role art may have on their lives, transcribe and communicate with the visual language.
With a wide array of courses to choose from, students are able to further develop their interests and talents in a specialized area. Each of the projects and assignments presented in these diverse courses, afford students the opportunity to question and explore the real and invisible world through 21st Century learning. The following 21st Century Learning skills are reinforced and assessed throughout all of the foundational and advanced level courses: Creativity, Innovation, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Visual and Digital Literacy’s, Critical Thinking, Global Awareness, Accountability, Responsibility, Initiative, Productivity and Leadership.
Students wishing to pursue Advanced Placement credit may do so through the submission of an electronic portfolio in either the two dimensional, three dimensional, four-dimensional art, or electronic arts. Students are encouraged and allowed to actively participate in real world art experiences such as student art shows, exhibitions, contests and community-wide events.
Students enrolling in Studio in Art fulfill their fine Arts requirement for the New York State Diploma.