Grades 4 and 5

Variation is at the heart of creativity and provides a growth environment for design building blocks. The focus at the grade 4/5 level is on coordinating elements of change and transition. Students work with frameworks that re-structure shape, form and space in both 2 and 3 dimensions.

Shape kinetics

• Observe and analyze movement through gesture drawings.
• Examine linkages between outer changes and internal structure.
• Differentiate symmetrical and asymmetrical balance.
• Coordinate balance and shape to suggest movement.

Form Growth

• Explore parts of complex forms.
• Identify planes within complex forms.
• Develop observation skills through drawing contours and planes.
• Construct simple, one‑point perspective drawings.

Field & Space

• Organize design areas using internal geometrical structures.
• Identify and explore spatial regions.
• Coordinate pictorial elements to suggest space.
• Integrate subject and spatial regions using contour.

Tone

• Organize tonal areas into light, middle and dark.
• Coordinate organization methods using tone and field.
• Synchronize tone and form development.
• Evaluate tone intensity found in other media.

Tints & Shades

• Analyze contrast through light and dark colour.
• Expand colour possibilities through monochrome arrangements.
• Compare colour dimensions through monochrome & complementary designs.
• Apply principles of colour in compositions.

Grade 6

With increased understanding and confidence using foundation elements attention may be  shifted to look at ways to link elements in more coherent designs. Focus at the grade 6 level is on relationships that underpin 2 and 3-dimensional design.

Observation & drawing

• Make use of constructs to coordinate observation and drawing.
• Learn to make estimates and evaluations using non‑standard units of measure.
• Analyze coordinates of a drawing using internal alignments.
• Contrast contour characteristics for dynamically opposite qualities.

Form Unity

• Construct form by exploring its planes.
• Integrate and consolidate through use of shadow.
• Assess strategies in unifying design.
• Assemble form using three values.

Design integration

• Define positive and negative areas.
• Illustrate proportion using ratios and grids.
• Interpret movement through drawing.
• Unify the design with tonal value.
• Coordinate line, tone and contour.

Colour

• Distinguish colour value and saturation.
• Identify warm and cool colour variations.
• Evaluate and apply types of contrast found in colour.

Grades 7 and 8

The design process is iterative, bringing together visual interpretations that occur at different points of development. Focus at the grade 7/8 level applies art principles and their interactions through multi-stages in creative progress and studies their close relationship with expression.

Form development

• Make use of frameworks in contour drawing.
• Incorporate rhythm and movement to unify a drawing.
• Translate from 2 to 3-dimensional form using front and side planes.
• Interpret a tonal arrangement using 5 values.
• Coordinate value contrast and linear perspective.
• Integrate form and detail

Design order

• Organize design composition using proportional systems.
• Employ techniques that direct eye movement over a design.
• Choose appropriate strategies to balance a design.
• Enhance design dynamics through use of counter-movement.
• Create a focal area supported by the design hierarchy.

Colour

• Make use of the colour organization systems.
• Examine the effects of context on colour arrangements.
• Modify colour to describe spatial effects.
• Coordinate colour with other design elements to create focus and emphasis.
• Assess expressive, emotional and symbolic qualities of colour.