Curriculum
Lower School
The art curriculum combines hands-on studio practice with exposure to art history and appreciation. Each lesson is designed to expose students to new creative processes and techniques. Students learn to use the visual language to express themselves with emphasis on self-direction, problem solving, risk taking, and individual creativity. The primary goal of the program is to enable students to gain confidence in their own unique creative vision, and see themselves as artists.

All students keep a sketchbook in which they "free draw" and do sketching exercises, designed to enhance their drawing skills and understanding of art. Projects are sent home at the end of the trimester, while some are kept in the studio for display during the spring Arts Festival in May.

Students study art once a week: kindergarten for 50 minutes, first grade for 70 minutes, and second through fourth grade for 75 minutes.
 
At each grade level, students develop their artistic vocabulary by perceiving, analyzing, and responding to works from diverse cultures and time periods. They articulate the meaning behind their creations, as well as give constructive feedback to others.

List of 5 items.

  • Kindergarten

    Introduction to the elements of art (line, color, shape, pattern, texture, and size) through various pre-planned and emergent projects. Exploring abstract art by focusing on shapes and patterns. Experimenting with different materials and techniques such as cutting, gluing, collage making, clay modeling, drawing, and painting.

    Click here for more kindergarten art.

  • First Grade

    Continuing the study of the elements of art. Mixing secondary colors from primary colors. Creating representational art based on people, animals, and objects. Continuing to develop process skills such as cutting, gluing, collage making, clay modeling, drawing, and painting.

    Click here for more first-grade art.

  • Second Grade

    Exploring portraits as a theme by utilizing a variety of styles and media. Experimenting with moods created by warm and cool colors. Continuing to develop process skills such as cutting, gluing, collage making, clay modeling, drawing, and painting.

    Click here for more second-grade art.

  • Third Grade

    Working with identity, symbolism and narrative as a theme. Using positive and negative space. Mixing and applying paint, creating tints and shades. Working on figure and facial proportion.

    Click here for more third-grade art.

  • Fourth Grade

    Continuing to work with identity, symbolism, and narrative as a theme. Painting and drawing landscapes or cityscapes showing the illusion of space. Using contrast colors expressively. Constructing small and large-scale sculptures and other mixed media projects.

    Click here for more fourth-grade art.

Department Specialist

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Yara Herman

    Yara Herman 

    Lower School Art Specialist
    415.751.0187, ext. 362
    University of California, Santa Cruz - B.A.
    San Francisco State University
Burke's mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.

Burke’s

An independent K–8 school for girls
7070 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415.751.0177 Fax: 415.666.0535
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