Prep them well for VCE

Middle School Visual Arts and Technologies

Visual Arts

Year 5

Students work with two and three dimensional media. An introduction to the elements and principles of design enable students to experiment with and apply a range of skills. Through their artworks they communicate their ideas and understandings about themselves and aspects of the global community. They explore the works of other artists and develop their ability to talk about their own and others’ artworks.

Year 6

Students experiment with and begin to refine their use of a range of media, materials and techniques with specific aims. They develop their drawing skills using appropriate techniques. They continue to develop their skills when creating a three dimensional piece and use the elements and principles of design to create and refine their work. Students use their visual diary to plan and evaluate their work as well as to demonstrate their understanding of art language.

Year 7 & Year 8

ART 1
Students develop skills in planning and creating, using research into art styles to inform the development of their own artworks. They explore the art making process through the creation of two dimensional artworks. Students utilise the art elements and principles in the creation of their designs through the use of their visual diary. They continually analyse and evaluate the successes and areas for improvement in their work. 

ART 2
Students follow a thematic approach to develop their skills in researching, planning and creating two or three dimensional artworks. The art elements and principles are applied throughout this developmental process and students use the visual diary to record the progress of their work. Students continually analyse and evaluate the successes and areas for improvement in their work.

Design and Technologies

Year 5

Students are introduced to the technology process by designing, making and evaluating a product. They learn about the workshop environment and how to work safely with tools and equipment. Through practical design tasks, students develop skills in designing, measuring, cutting and finishing techniques.

Year 6

Students experience the design process by designing, making and evaluating a product. They research and draw designs for a simple product that uses materials and movement, as well as planning how it will be made. Students use basic tools and processes to make a product based on their designs. They evaluate their finished product.

Year 7 & Year 8

Students experience the design process by designing, making and evaluating a product. They research and engage in problem solving to develop design ideas and plans for production. Students use a range of materials, and a variety of tools and processes to make their product. They evaluate their finished product to judge whether it was successful in meeting the original design brief.

Information Technology

Year 5

Over the course of one term, students learn file management skills. This enables them to create, label and organise network folders in which to store and retrieve their personal documents. They develop their skills to use iPads to take both still and video images, then manipulating the images using editing software. They combine photo images and music together to make a creative iMoviepresentation. Students are introduced to computer programming using Scratch software. They develop and plan projects by creatively using characters, scenes and narratives.

Year 6

Students use MicroWorlds software to develop their computer programming skills. This involves programming push-button controlled animations to develop a story. Students also use MicroWorlds drawing tools to create a background to their story presentation. They construct and test a Lego robot with motors and sensors. They use computer programming to manoeuvre it through a series of challenges. Students demonstrate their file management skills by creating, labelling and organising their storage folders on the College network.

Year 7 & 8

Students develop their skills to design and create a website that uses interactive links for effective navigation. They also use image editing software to enhance the presentation of a collection of digital photos. Using Microsoft Excel, students use a spreadsheet to present data in table and graphical form. They also use formulas to manipulate the data. Students use their file management strategies to organise and store their documents and folders on the College network.

Visual Communication and Design

Year 5

Students begin to experiment with and explore a range of media, materials and techniques with specific aims. They develop a design brief and complete an evaluation of their designs. They learn about the design elements, focusing on colour, space, line and letterform. Students practise and apply these elements into a practical project. They refine their creative and technical skills through the use of their visual diary.

Year 6

Students experiment with a range of media, materials and techniques with specific aims. They learn how to create a one point perspective drawing through a range of tasks. They are introduced to the graphic instruments involved in technical drawing. Students focus on the design elements of tone, texture, point and form, and the design principles of pattern, scale and proportion.

Year 7 & Year 8

Students develop their design skills through the application of a variety of technical drawings. They explore the design process through a range of practical tasks that utilise the design elements and principles. Students practise and apply this knowledge within a practical project. They continually analyse and evaluate the successes and areas for improvement in their work and that of others.