Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
1st Class Creative Journeys: Exploring Art and Design
This course introduces 1st Class students to the fundamental elements of art through hands-on making and responding. Students explore diverse media including paint, clay, and textiles while developing their visual literacy and creative expression.
01Lines, Shapes, and Imaginary Worlds
Students explore the building blocks of drawing and how different lines can express emotions or create textures.
Investigating how different types of lines like wavy, zigzag, and thick lines can tell a story and convey emotion.
Distinguishing between perfect mathematical shapes and the irregular shapes found in nature, and their artistic applications.
Exploring how shapes interact, overlap, and create positive and negative space within a composition.
Using mirrors and observation to create a representation of oneself, focusing on unique features and personal expression.
Developing observational drawing skills by rendering a still life arrangement, focusing on proportion and perspective.
Understanding basic one-point perspective to create the illusion of depth in drawings of rooms or roads.
Developing a personal sketchbook as a tool for observation, idea generation, and artistic experimentation.
02Color Magic and Paint
An exploration of color mixing, temperature, and the tactile nature of applying paint to surfaces.
Discovering how the three primary colors act as the parents for all other colors and mixing secondary colors.
Understanding how adding white, grey, or black changes the value and intensity of a color.
Using color temperature to depict different climates, times of day, and emotional states in a painting.
Experimenting with various brush types, strokes, and paint application methods to create different textures and effects.
Adding materials to paint or using different tools to create physical depth and tactile surfaces on the canvas.
Exploring non-representational painting to convey feelings, ideas, or musical rhythms through color and form.
Investigating how different cultures assign meaning and symbolism to various colors in art and daily life.
03Form and Sculpture
Moving from 2D to 3D by manipulating clay and recycled materials to create objects.
Learning fundamental clay techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab building to create three-dimensional forms.
Applying basic clay techniques to create small animals or abstract forms, focusing on stability and surface detail.
Using cardboard, plastic, and other found objects to build imaginative structures and sculptures.
Exploring how sculptures can represent movement and action, including mobiles and simple kinetic forms.
Investigating large-scale sculptures and installations designed for public spaces and their interaction with the environment.
Learning to construct internal support structures (armatures) for more complex and stable sculptures.
04Patterns and Textiles
Investigating the world of fabric, weaving, and repeating patterns in art and design.
An introduction to the over and under rhythm of basic paper and wool weaving, understanding warp and weft.
Using stamps, found objects, and simple block printing to create repeating designs on fabric or paper.
Creating pictures by layering different textures and types of fabric, exploring tactile qualities and storytelling.
Exploring various resist dyeing methods like tie-dye and batik to create intricate patterns on fabric.
Investigating textile art that goes beyond practical use, focusing on artistic expression and conceptual themes.
Observing and documenting repeating patterns found in natural forms (leaves, shells) and architectural designs.
Introduction to creating repeating patterns using simple digital tools, exploring symmetry and tessellation.
05The Artist's Eye
Developing the skills to look closely at famous artworks and respond through discussion and creation.
Looking at narrative paintings and identifying the characters, setting, plot, and implied emotions.
Deepening understanding of the fundamental elements of art and how artists manipulate them.
Exploring how artists use principles like balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical) and emphasis to organize their compositions.
Understanding how to approach art critically, using descriptive, analytical, interpretive, and evaluative steps.
An overview of key art movements, understanding their historical context, defining characteristics, and influential artists.
Exploring how art reflects and shapes different cultures around the world, from ancient artifacts to contemporary global art.
Choosing a work of art to analyze in depth and creating a personal response piece, either written or artistic.
06Digital Art and Media
Introduction to digital tools and techniques for creating art, including graphic design and digital photography.
Exploring basic drawing and painting tools in digital software, understanding layers and brushes.
Using digital software to combine images, create collages, and explore basic photo editing techniques.
Understanding the principles of graphic design through creating simple logos and exploring typography.
Learning basic camera functions, composition rules, and lighting techniques for digital photography.
07Art and the Environment
Exploring how artists engage with environmental themes, sustainability, and natural materials.
Investigating artists who create art directly in the landscape, using natural materials and elements.
Understanding how artists use recycled, upcycled, and eco-friendly materials to create art.
Exploring how artists use their work to raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for change.
08Art and Community
Investigating the role of art in public spaces, community engagement, and cultural identity.
Exploring the history and impact of murals and street art as forms of public expression and community engagement.
Understanding collaborative art projects that involve community participation and address local themes.
Exploring how art forms (e.g., traditional crafts, folk art) express and preserve cultural identity.
09Portfolio and Exhibition
Developing a personal art portfolio and preparing for an exhibition of student work.
Learning to select, document, and organize artworks into a cohesive personal portfolio.
Crafting concise and reflective artist statements that articulate artistic intentions and processes.
Understanding the principles of displaying artwork, including layout, lighting, and labeling for an exhibition.
Engaging in constructive critique sessions, providing feedback, and reflecting on personal artistic growth.