Key components of the Thomas County Middle School Art program
• Appreciating and understanding the importance of art in our society
• Cultivating and developing skills in various artistic medias
• Creating an exciting and safe environment that allows students to be inspired and inquisitive
• Creating art based on one’s own experiences, identity, environment, imagination and observations

Assessment
In each grade students make their own personal portfolio where they keep all of their work, reflections, handouts and any other important information. Individual participation in group activities is expected. Individual grading rubrics are created for hands-on projects reflecting both student and teacher input. Students are assessed on effort, time on task, use of art tools and materials and understanding of the concepts and learned techniques.

How can parents get involved?

Get involved! When your student brings work home, take 5-10 minutes to have a discussion. Begin by asking your student to tell you about the work instead of starting with probing questions. Giving them the opportunity to discuss their art work reinforces the skills learned in class and promotes the use of their visual vocabulary. Ask questions about how they created it from start to finish. What was the assignment and what was the inspiration? It is important for students to understand that art appreciation can also occur at home.