Below is a list of key vocabulary and concepts that you can use to assist your child in discussing his/her artwork. The list is not a comprehensive list but to see the full list of standards that must be taught please check out Picasso – Fine Arts which is located on the CCSD main website.
Kindergarten Vocabulary:
Colors: red, yellow, blue (PRIMARY), green, purple, orange, white, black, brown
Lines: straight, curved, angled (zigzag), broken (dotted), thick, thin, spiral
Shapes: GEOMETRIC-circle, square, rectangle, oval, triangle ORGANIC-blob, free form
Forms: sphere, cube
Textures: smooth, rough, hard, soft, fuzzy, bumpy
Media: (Tool recognition) pencils, crayons, sharpie, scissors, clay, kiln (Types of art) collage, watercolor, tempera, sculpture, 3-d, printmaking, stamping
Misc. Terms: Placement in space (beside/overlapping, above/below, close/far, right/left, front/back, over/under), Horizon Line
Other helpful discussion tools:
Compare and contrast based on subject, theme or art elements.
Expresses preference for one over two/three pieces.
Describes artwork revealing media, subject and story.
Point out clues that determine time and place in a piece of art.
First Grade Vocabulary ( include previous grade level)
Identify lines and shapes: GEOMETRIC and ORGANIC
3-d forms: spheres, cubes, cylinders, cones, rectangular prisms
Identify media: pencils, crayons, watercolors, tempera, clay, pastels, printmaking, and sculpture
Identify color families: PRIMARY- red, yellow, blue SECONDARY – green, purple, orange and how are they mixed
Positive and Negative space (the shape is the positive space and the empty space around the shape is the negative space)
Names and describes textures (bumpy, smooth, rocky, soft...)
Abstract and what makes it abstract
Other helpful discussion tools:
Describe subjects in art.
Recognize how artists are involved in the community (architects, painters, photographers, interior designers etc).
Describe a time and place in an image and or art print.
Express a feeling that is displayed.
Compares and contrasts images.
Expresses a preference for one piece over two or three others.
Second Grade Vocabulary: (include previous grade levels)
Identify Media: pencils, crayons, pastels, markers, watercolors, tempera, sculpture, clay, found objects, printmaking, collage, and weaving
Color Families: WARM-red, yellow, orange COOL- purple, green, orange
Texture of materials:
Misc Terms: Horizon line, Tints and shades, warp, weft, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, rhythm/movement, symmetrical/asymmetrical/radial, geometric/nongeometric, 2-d/3-d, positive/negative
Other helpful discussion tools:
Discusses use of symbols in artwork (ex. Hearts, McDonalds sign)
Names subject and themes
Uses context clues to identify time and place.
Discusses simple perspective techniques (diminishing size, overlapping, placement on the picture)
Differences between photographs, paintings, drawings and sculptures
Creates a definition of what is art
Compares and contrasts
Expresses preference for one, two or three pieces
Third Grade Vocabulary :( include previous grade levels)
Identify media: pencils, crayons, markers, pastels, tempera, watercolor, sculpture, clay, found objects, printmaking,
Color families: Intermediate (yellow-green, red-violet etc), Tints and shades
2-d vs. 3-d forms
Symmetrical/asymmetrical balance
Misc. Terms: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, foreground, middle ground, background, relief print, monoprint, slip, score,
Other helpful discussion tools:
Names subject and theme.
Uses context clues to identify time and place.
Identifies artist and culture.
Recognizes media and technique.
Discusses purpose of art (aesthetic, utilitarian).
Original piece vs. a reproduction
Compares and contrasts
Expresses preference and gives reason why.
(compiled by Lynn Duhn, art specialist, Still Elementary)
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