Essential Standards

There are three Essential Standards (V.1), (V.2), and (V.3) in the Visual Literacy Strand for Visual Arts:


• V.1: The first Essential Standard requires students to use the language of visual arts to communicate effectively. In grades 3-5, students will use specific terminology to discuss their works of art, as well as works of art throughout history and different art movements. They use such terms as cubism, photo-realism, foreground, and proportion. Students begin to express their own ideas in art using experiences that 
only they have had, reflecting their own personal perspectives of the world in which they live. For example, they illustrate a geographical region and determine how it would be represented, whether it is during a specific season or a specific time of day. They understand different voices in art, and they also understand differences in works of the masters and determine the differences between realistic and non-objective art. Students’ knowledge of the elements and principles expands, and they can accurately depict different types of lines and 
correlate groups of colors with the moods of works of art. They demonstrate the ability to compose a picture effectively incorporating the Principles of Design.
• V.2: The second Essential Standard requires students to use creative and critical thinking skills. Students in grades 3-5 understand that art problems have multiple solutions, and they understand that some solutions are better than others in their effectiveness. As their inspiration for ideas, they use their personal point of view and experiences. They also look towards the larger environment for ideas, including ideas from around the world or from books or on television. Students create abstract art that expresses ideas. 
• V.3: The third Essential Standard requires students to use a variety of tools, media, and processes (e.g. drawing, painting, weaving, printing, stitchery, collage, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, and current technology) safely and appropriately when creating art. Students manipulate tools more easily now, and they explore several techniques when using tools and media. For example, students use a pencil to 
create a wider range of values by varying the pressure on the pencil, or they create different looks with a brush by using the techniques of drybrush, pointillism, and wet on wet. Students understand how the correct use of tools and media will produce desired results, and that specific techniques are used in select situations. 



GRADE 2 STANDARDSVisual Literacy

  1. 2.V.1 Use the language of visual arts to communicate effectively.
    1. 2.V.1.1 Use appropriate art vocabulary when discussing media, processes, or images in art.
    2. 2.V.1.2 Create original art that expresses ideas about people, neighborhoods, or communities.
    3. 2.V.1.3 Understand the “story” in works of art.
    4. 2.V.1.4 Understand characteristics of the Elements of Art, including lines, shapes, colors, textures, form, space, and value.
    5. 2.V.1.5 Understand characteristics of the Principles of Design, including repetition, movement, emphasis, contrast, balance, and proportion.

  1. 2.V.2 Apply creative and critical thinking skills to artistic expression.
    1. 2.V.2.1 Understand that artistic problems have multiple solutions.
    2. 2.V.2.2 Use personal point of view of the environment as a source of imagery.
    3. 2.V.2.3 Create art from real and imaginary sources of inspiration.

  1. 2.V.3 Create art using a variety of tools, media, and processes, safely and appropriately.
    1. 2.V.3.1 Use a variety of tools safely and appropriately to create art.
    2. 2.V.3.2 Recognize characteristics of a variety of media.
    3. 2.V.3.3 Use the processes of drawing, painting, weaving, printing, stitchery, collage, mixed media, sculpture, and ceramics to create art.

Contextual Relevancy

  1. 2.CX.1 Understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts.
    1. 2.CX.1.1 Exemplify visual arts representing the heritage, customs, and traditions of various cultures.
    2. 2.CX.1.2 Recognize that works of art represent specific time periods.
    3. 2.CX.1.3 Understand various movements in art and the artists that represent them.
    4. 2.CX.1.4 Compare art from various cultures.
    5. 2.CX.1.5 Understand that artists use natural resources in creating art.
  2. 2.CX.2 Understand the interdisciplinary connections and life applications of the visual arts.
    1. 2.CX.2.1 Recognize the impact of regional differences on the production of art.
    2. 2.CX.2.2 Understand relationships between art and concepts from other disciplines, such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and other arts.
    3. 2.CX.2.3 Recognize that some artists work in teams to create art.
Critical Response

  1. 2.CR.1 Use critical analysis to generate responses to a variety of prompts.
    1. 2.CR.1.1 Use art terminology to describe art in terms of subject and physical characteristics.
    2. 2.CR.1.2 Evaluate personal work, while in progress and at completion.