Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
1st Year Creative Explorations: Foundations of Visual Art
A comprehensive introduction to the visual arts for Year 1 students, focusing on sensory exploration and the development of fine motor skills. Students engage with diverse media to express personal experiences and respond to the world around them through making and looking.
Lines, Marks, and Making
Students explore the fundamental element of line through various drawing tools and techniques.
Investigating how different lines can represent movement and emotion on paper.
Using crayons and graphite to discover hidden textures in the environment.
Observing facial features in mirrors to create a representational drawing of oneself.
The World of Color
An exploration of primary colors, color mixing, and the emotional impact of different hues.
Discovering the three primary colors and how they act as the building blocks for all other colors.
Examining how artists use warm and cool colors to communicate feelings.
Using non-traditional tools like sponges, sticks, and fingers to apply paint.
Form and Space
Transforming 2D ideas into 3D objects using clay and construction materials.
Learning basic clay techniques such as pinching, rolling, and flattening.
Creating structures using cardboard, plastic, and found objects.
Designing and constructing simple puppets to explore character and movement.
Patterns and Prints
Investigating repetition and rhythm through printmaking and textile design.
Creating patterns using found objects as stamps.
Exploring the tactile qualities of different fabrics and basic weaving.
Using leaves and natural materials to create organic prints.
Stories in Art
Connecting visual art with narrative, history, and cultural storytelling.
Analyzing famous artworks to identify characters, settings, and plots.
Exploring cave paintings and ancient symbols as early forms of communication.
Creating a sequence of images to represent a personal or fictional narrative.
The Gallery Experience
Preparing for an exhibition and learning how to curate and critique artwork.
Selecting personal favorite works and deciding how to display them.
Learning respectful ways to give and receive feedback on creative work.
Exploring a digital gallery to see how professional artists show their work.