Art

In an effort to give Lafayette's children the opportunity to understand, interpret and appreciate the visual arts, LASF supports art-related programs at all schools.  Programs at the elementary school

level include hands-on art classes.  Specially trained LASF art instructors, some working professional artists in their own right, teach art lessons covering a range of artists, styles and media. Children learn about art history, criticism, aesthetics and production, and then go on to create their own masterpieces!  The year culminates with an art fair, held at each school, as well as each student bringing his or her art portfolio home.  To read more about the elementary art program, please click here!

      At Stanley Middle School, student Egyptologists create sarcophagi, while others participate in Chinese brush painting and bookbinding.  Eighth graders have the opportunity to print their own newspaper with an 18th century printing press. To read more about the Middle School  art program, please click here!

        At Acalanes, LASF provides funding for art and photography classes through equipment purchases, special projects and the Artist-In-Residence program.  LASF also supports digital design through equipment purchases.  In addition, the mural gracing the cafeteria wall of the courtyard was funded by LASF. This year, LASF will help fund the new art studio for Acalanes art students, turning an ordinary classroom into a modern studio. Click here to read more.
       

        LASF’s art program offers students the opportunity to understand, interpret and appreciate the visual arts and to explore their creative potential through hands-on art projects.  LASF art programs emphasize exploration and manipulation of art materials along with exposure to new visual languages, perceptions, materials and exposure to the world of art and artists. Each year students view and discuss various works of art from different time periods and cultures.

        The LASF art instructors provide the students with intellectual, creative and emotional experiences that connect them to a common core of knowledge and to their cultural heritage in ways not possible in any other areas of their school curriculum.  In this framework, the goals, objectives and teaching activities for each grade level have been designed to develop art concepts sequentially and to provide experience in various media.

        As students learn to recognize, discuss and work with art, they build a foundation for making judgments about its form, content, technique and purpose.  Discussion, critical analysis and observation of art also provide a basis for understanding, supporting and enjoying the visual arts – now and throughout their lives.

        LASF brings California Poets in the Schools, the nation's largest creative writing program, to all 4th and 10th graders.  Humanities education includes support in literature, languages and social studies.  At the elementary level, LASF's Instructor Program introduces students to multi-cultural experiences as they learn about everything from Chinese New Year and Chinese culture, to Native California and its indiginous peoples.  History is showcased in units on the Gold Rush and a tour of Lafayette history. 

At Stanley Middle School, the Writing for Mastery Program provides tutorial writing for 6th and 7th grade students.  Additionally, the My Access! writing program, funded by LASF, PTA and the Lafayette School District, uses technology to promote student writing.  Foreign language tutors and instructors at Stanley offer students the opportunity to expand their language skills and immerse themselves in the culture through special projects. 
       
        At Acalanes, LASF funds support Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon and Model U.N. We also continue the high school Writing for Mastery tutorial program for all history students.

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Copyright LASF 1998-2003. All rights reserved. Updated 08/19/05.