Singapore Primary 2 Art Syllabus

This information is based on the 2018 Ministry of Education (MOE) Art Syllabus.

Introduction

Art education in Singapore primary schools aims to develop students into active artists and informed audiences. The curriculum emphasizes enjoyment, visual communication, and making meaning through connections with society and culture. Art is a core subject, compulsory for all primary students. Lessons are typically conducted once a week over two periods, with each period lasting at least 30 minutes. Double periods are recommended for effective teaching and learning.

Syllabus Framework

The syllabus is structured around three Big Ideas:

• Art helps us to see in new ways: Art provides alternative ways of understanding the world and experiences through visual representation.
• Art tells stories about our world: Art documents events, experiences, and cultures, connecting students with Singapore's heritage and the wider world.
• Art influences how we live: Art and design principles impact daily life, influencing how we interact with our surroundings and make decisions.

These Big Ideas frame three Learning Domains:

• See (Observe-Inquire): Students observe, analyze, and reflect on visual experiences, developing visual inquiry skills. This includes drawing as a tool for capturing and reflecting on observations. For Primary 1-2, this translates to identifying simple visual qualities, asking questions about what they see, and drawing from imagination and observation.
• Express (Create-Innovate): Students generate ideas, experiment with materials and tools, and create art to communicate their ideas. In Primary 1-2, this involves playing with various materials and tools to make art and sharing their imagination through art-making.
• Appreciate (Connect-Respond): Students develop skills and vocabulary to discuss and interpret artworks, deepening their understanding of art's value in their lives and society. At the Primary 1-2 level, students show interest in looking at artworks and talk about their visual experiences using basic art vocabulary.

Learning Content

The syllabus content is organized into four key components:

1. Context: Students learn from artworks by Singaporean and international artists, organized under three focus areas:

• Self and Immediate Environment
• Singapore Past, Present and Future
• The World and Region We Live In

• Inspiration: Observing and making connections to their lives.
• Imagination: Forming new ideas and images.
• Experimentation: Exploring different ways to express ideas.
• Materiality: Investigating the qualities of materials used in art.
• Emotion: Conveying feelings through art.
• Presentation: Sharing artworks and engaging in discussions.

Core Learning Experiences

Three core learning experiences are recommended:

• Drawing (Primary 1-6): Focuses on drawing as a tool for expression and communication, not technical perfection. A blended learning approach is used.
• Museum-Based Learning (Primary 4): Provides an authentic context for learning about local art and Singapore's heritage.
• Exhibition in Curriculum (Primary 1-6): Integrates exhibitions into the curriculum, allowing students to display their artworks and learn about different presentation methods.

Art Classroom Habits (Primary 1-2)

Students are expected to:

• Follow instructions for caring for tools and materials.
• Observe personal hygiene.
• Ensure cleanliness of their workspace.
• Identify safe art materials and tools.
• Demonstrate safe use of materials, tools, and equipment.
• Move safely in the art classroom.

Assessment

A holistic approach to assessment is emphasized, focusing on both formative and summative assessment. Portfolios are recommended as the main assessment mode. They document student progress, showcase student choice, and encourage self-reflection. For Primary 1-2, portfolios might involve collecting and selecting final artworks and guided reflection on learning. Assessment criteria for Primary 1-2 include personal responses demonstrating imaginative thinking, use of art vocabulary to discuss observations, and basic analysis of personal strengths based on understanding of criteria.