This module will focus on the elementary art TEKS. Review the various grade levels on the course discovery elementary art page to get an overview of how each strand is taught at that grade level and examples of what the content looks like in the classroom. Take a moment to review the chart before we discuss each strand. Keep this resource handy as you may want to refer back to it as we review each strand.
Within each grade level, the four strands function interdependently, and they are most effective when woven together in lessons. All student expectations must be addressed in each grade level, but not necessarily in parity.
Art Strands
Foundations: observation and perception
The student develops and expands visual literacy skills using critical thinking, imagination, and the senses to observe and explore the world by learning about, understanding, and applying the elements of art, principles of design, and expressive qualities. The student uses what the student sees, knows, and has experienced as sources for examining, understanding, and creating original artwork.
Creative expression
The student communicates ideas through original artwork using a variety of media with appropriate skills. The student expresses thoughts and ideas creatively while challenging the imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined effort and progressive problem-solving skills.
Historical and cultural relevance
The student demonstrates an understanding of art history and culture by analyzing artistic styles, historical periods, and a variety of cultures. The student develops global awareness and respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures.
Critical evaluation and response
The student responds to and analyzes the artworks of self and others, contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned evaluations.
The knowledge and skills are listed divided by strand with a common description that is consistent through all levels of the art TEKS. Then for each subsequent grade level and for each broad category of knowledge and skills, several student expectations are provided. These scaffolded knowledge and skills are the basis of quality art programs for all Texas students. The design of the art TEKS provides both horizontal and vertical alignment of learning. Increased expectations at each grade level are communicated in a variety of ways:
- Degree of sophistication of knowledge and skills
- Scope of skills and knowledge
- Development of concept
- Refining of communication and collaboration
- Focus on originality
- Depth of understanding
Expectations for students at each grade level take into consideration children and adolescents' cognitive, social/emotional, and physical development. The standards focus on learners, their present capabilities, and ways to help them progress to higher levels. When art instruction is aligned with the art TEKS, students grow in each grade.
These four strands provide broad, unifying structures for organizing the knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire in elementary art. Students are expected to rely on personal observations and perceptions, which are developed through increased visual literacy and sensitivity to surroundings, communities, memories, imaginings, and life experiences and which serve as sources for thinking about, planning, and creating original artworks. Students communicate their thoughts and ideas with innovation and creativity, which in turn challenge their imaginations, foster critical thinking, encourage collaboration with others, and build reflective skills. By applying meaningful problem-solving skills, students learn to develop the lifelong ability of making informed judgments.