In first-grade Art, taught by Andrea Aimi and Valerie García, students explore a variety of techniques in painting, drawing, collage, and printmaking. They study self-portraiture through the work of Henry Taylor and create large-scale paintings based on emotions, using color combinations to express their feelings. The first-grade curriculum focuses on themes of self and family, with students using collage to create pieces titled “Someone Who Loves Me.” Other activities include printmaking with shapes to create patterns and landscapes, flip-flop drawing books, and watercolor explorations of sea animals.

Students also develop practical skills, such as scissor techniques, gluing, craypas mixing, and understanding the different uses of round and flat brushes. A sketchbook is used throughout the year to capture ideas, which is then taken home in June. First grade Art emphasizes building new skills while deepening those introduced in Kindergarten, with a strong focus on process, personal reflection, and discovery.

In first grade Shop, taught by Isabel Dominguez and Valerie García, students will explore three-dimensional sculpture using various materials such as clay, cardboard, and wood. The focus will be on teaching students how to securely connect materials and design structures that can stand independently, while also creating works that are aesthetically pleasing to the young artist. First graders will continue practicing with tools like hammers and crosscut saws and will be introduced to hand drills and screwdrivers.