Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Art: Grades 6, 7, 8 (1-3)

Other Texas Fine Arts sets

Middle School Art 1

  • 1.

    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 artworks. The student is expected to:6-8.1

    1. A.

      identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;6-8.1.A

    2. B.

      understand and apply the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately;6-8.1.B

    3. C.

      understand and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately; and6-8.1.C

    4. D.

      discuss the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.6-8.1.D

  • 2.

    The student communicates ideas through original artworks 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. The student is expected to:6-8.2

    1. A.

      create original artworks based on direct observations, original sources, personal experiences, and the community;6-8.2.A

    2. B.

      apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions; and6-8.2.B

    3. C.

      produce artworks, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media, using a variety of materials.6-8.2.C

  • 3.

    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. The student is expected to:6-8.3

    1. A.

      identify the influence of historical and political events in artworks;6-8.3.A

    2. B.

      identify examples of art that convey universal themes such as beliefs, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;6-8.3.B

    3. C.

      explain the relationships that exist between societies and their art and architecture; and6-8.3.C

    4. D.

      explore career and avocational opportunities in art such as various design, museum, and fine arts fields.6-8.3.D

  • 4.

    The student responds to and analyzes artworks of self and others, contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned evaluations. The student is expected to:6-8.4

    1. A.

      create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary;6-8.4.A

    2. B.

      analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;6-8.4.B

    3. C.

      develop a portfolio;6-8.4.C

    4. D.

      investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art; and6-8.4.D

    5. E.

      understand and demonstrate proper exhibition etiquette.6-8.4.E

Middle School Art 2

  • 1.

    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 artworks. The student is expected to:6-8.2.1

    1. A.

      identify and illustrate ideas from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;6-8.2.1.A

    2. B.

      compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;6-8.2.1.B

    3. C.

      compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately; and6-8.2.1.C

    4. D.

      understand and apply the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.6-8.2.1.D

  • 2.

    The student communicates ideas through original artworks 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. The student is expected to:6-8.2.2

    1. A.

      create original artworks that express a variety of ideas based on direct observations, original sources, and personal experiences, including memory, identity, imagination, and the community;6-8.2.2.A

    2. B.

      apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;6-8.2.2.B

    3. C.

      apply technical skills effectively using a variety of materials to produce artworks, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media; and6-8.2.2.C

    4. D.

      use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery when working from sources rather than direct observation or imagination.6-8.2.2.D

  • 3.

    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. The student is expected to:6-8.2.3

    1. A.

      analyze ways that global, cultural, historical, and political issues influence artworks;6-8.2.3.A

    2. B.

      analyze selected artworks to determine contemporary relevance in relationship to universal themes such as belief, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;6-8.2.3.B

    3. C.

      compare and contrast relationships that exist between a society's art and its music, literature, and architecture; and6-8.2.3.C

    4. D.

      identify career and avocational choices in art such as various design, museum, and fine arts fields.6-8.2.3.D

  • 4.

    The student responds to and analyzes artworks of self and others, contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned evaluations. The student is expected to:6-8.2.4

    1. A.

      create written or oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;6-8.2.4.A

    2. B.

      analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;6-8.2.4.B

    3. C.

      develop a portfolio that demonstrates progress;6-8.2.4.C

    4. D.

      investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art; and6-8.2.4.D

    5. E.

      demonstrate an understanding of and apply proper exhibition etiquette.6-8.2.4.E

Middle School Art 3

  • 1.

    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 artworks. The student is expected to:6-8.3.1

    1. A.

      identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experience, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;6-8.3.1.A

    2. B.

      evaluate the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;6-8.3.1.B

    3. C.

      evaluate the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately; and6-8.3.1.C

    4. D.

      compare and contrast the expressive properties of artworks, including appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol, using vocabulary accurately.6-8.3.1.D

  • 2.

    The student communicates ideas through original artworks 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. The student is expected to:6-8.3.2

    1. A.

      create original artworks expressing themes found through direct observation; original sources; personal experiences, including memory, identity, and imagination; and the community;6-8.3.2.A

    2. B.

      apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;6-8.3.2.B

    3. C.

      create artworks by selecting appropriate art materials, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media;6-8.3.2.C

    4. D.

      use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery when working from sources rather than direct observation or imagination; and6-8.3.2.D

    5. E.

      create experimental artworks using installation, performance, or collaboration.6-8.3.2.E

  • 3.

    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. The student is expected to:6-8.3.3

    1. A.

      analyze ways in which global, contemporary, historical, and political issues have influenced art;6-8.3.3.A

    2. B.

      analyze cultural ideas expressed in artworks relating to social, political, and environmental themes such as environment/nature, conflict and power, relationships to others, and reality/fantasy;6-8.3.3.B

    3. C.

      evaluate the relationships that exist among a society's art, music, theatre, and dance; and6-8.3.3.C

    4. D.

      compare and contrast career and avocational opportunities in art such as various design, museum, and fine arts fields.6-8.3.3.D

  • 4.

    The student responds to and analyzes artworks of self and others, contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned evaluations. The student is expected to:6-8.3.4

    1. A.

      create written and oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;6-8.3.4.A

    2. B.

      analyze original artworks and portfolios using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;6-8.3.4.B

    3. C.

      investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art; and6-8.3.4.C

    4. D.

      understand and demonstrate proper exhibition etiquette.6-8.3.4.D

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8
When were these standards adopted?
2013
Where can I read the official document?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Art

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