Samoa School Syllabus - The Arts

This syllabus outlines the Visual Arts curriculum for students in Years 9-12. The curriculum emphasizes creative thinking, critical analysis, technical skill development, and problem-solving through visual art creation and appreciation.

Introduction

The Visual Arts curriculum aims to equip students with skills relevant for further training and employment, fostering creativity and self-expression through visual communication. Students develop sensitivity to the world around them by exploring various art forms and languages. The curriculum has been reviewed and updated to remain relevant and maximize its effectiveness.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is structured around four major strands:

1. Developing Creativity and Imagination: Students explore ideas through observation, memory, imagination, and experiences. They experiment with different materials and techniques to express themselves visually. 2. Developing Skills and Processes: Students learn to use visual language, various art forms, and diverse materials and techniques. They develop skills in describing, analyzing, and communicating about art. 3. Developing Critical Responses: Students learn to give informed and intelligent responses to artworks based on research, training, culture, and personal judgment. They develop criteria for assessing visual artworks. 4. Understanding Art in Its Cultural and Social Environment: Students learn about the context in which artworks are created, including the time period, location, and cultural influences. They identify how art influences their cultural and social environment.

Thematic Units

The curriculum is organized into four thematic units, one for each term of the school year. These units build upon student awareness of their identity, environment, heritage, and role in Samoan society.

1. My Samoan Identity: This unit explores personal identity, Samoan social structure (village and urban life), belief systems (religion in Samoan society), and current issues facing Samoan society. 2. Samoan Material Culture and Ceremonies: This unit examines traditional patterns and designs, Samoan weaving and body adornment, Samoan siapo and tatau (traditional tattooing), and traditional ceremonies. 3. Samoa, Our Land, Our Heritage, Our Future: This unit focuses on Samoa's environment, including vanishing forests, fragile mangroves and marine ecosystems, endangered species, and the future of the land. 4. Samoan Oratory, Proverbs, and Storytelling: This unit explores Samoan songs, chants, and proverbs, traditional attire for special events, myths and legends, and Samoan fagogo (folktale) performance, including body art and fiber art.

Each thematic unit includes specific learning outcomes and expected learning experiences for each year level (9-12). These experiences involve discussions, research, art creation, analysis of artworks, and exploration of various art techniques and media.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment is ongoing and includes students' works, process diaries, portfolios, exhibitions, performances, critical studies (discussions, essays, presentations), and historical studies. The assessment aims to improve student learning and provide feedback. Evaluation focuses on the effectiveness of the program.

Essential Skills

Students develop essential skills such as analytical skills, communication skills, planning skills, cooperative skills, technical skills, and problem-solving skills through their engagement with the Visual Arts curriculum.

Learning in Visual Arts

Visual Arts study involves investigating concepts, art theory, art forms, and artworks. An inquiry learning approach is employed to develop students' skills and encourage them to take responsibility for their learning. Students engage in researching, developing, resolving, and reflecting throughout the learning process.

Values in Visual Art

The curriculum promotes values such as fairness, honesty, excellence, responsibility, respect, and tolerance. In Visual Arts, students develop values and attitudes through learning tasks, exploring different artworks, and considering diverse viewpoints. Key values include fairness, open-mindedness, honesty, honor, wisdom, perseverance, and responsibility. Consideration and inclusion are also emphasized.

Gender and Inclusive Education

The curriculum is gender-inclusive, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to participate and succeed regardless of traditional gender stereotypes. Inclusive education principles are followed, recognizing that all students can be successful learners with appropriate support and effective teaching. The curriculum aims to provide quality education to all students irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic background.

Time Allocation and Safety

Recommended time allocations are provided for each thematic unit. Safety measures are emphasized, including the use of safety gear, appropriate classroom setup, and safe handling of tools and materials.