In this art project students in grades 3 and 4 at Burnt Elm Public School learned to express a variety of feelings by selecting appropriate elements of design. For example, bright or light colours often express positive feelings. And, rough, jagged lines and shapes often express negative feelings. Students learned that decisions about self-expression through visual arts are individual and varied. Students used the same thought process to understand and comment on artwork created by others. This, indeed, is "critical thinking"; an important part of the Ontario Visual Arts Curriculum. Students practiced math skills as they created pattern during this project.
