Grading Guidelines

  Grades
INFORMATION ON GRADES FOR K-2 AND 3-5

K-2 ART 
I. Demonstrates concepts and skills
II. Participates in activities

PERFORMANCE LEVELS FOR K-2: (Not to be confused with 1-4 grading periods)

Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade participates in activities:
4- Listens critically and participates in the art class projects/discussions 
and demonstrates new insight/solutions to the presented art problem
3-Listens and participates in all of the art class projects/discussions
2-Listens and participates in the art class with few reminders or redirection
1-Listens and participates occasionally in the art class with consistent 
reminders and redirections

Kinder. demonstrates concepts and skills:
4-Independently applies and expresses their understanding of the art 
elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, pattern, unity, and emphasis 
in all of their personal artwork
3-Able to use a variety of materials to consistently apply the art elements –
 line, colors, shape, texture, form, patterns, unity, emphasis in all of 
their personal artwork and art discussions
2-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, pattern, 
unity, and emphasis in their personal artwork and art discussions with 
minimal guidance
1-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, and pattern, 
unity and emphasis with direct guidance to their personal artwork

First demonstrates concepts and skills:
4- Independently applies and expresses their understanding of the art 
elements – line, shape, color, balance, texture, form, variety, and emphasis 
in all of their personal artwork and art discussions
3-Able to use a variety of materials to consistently apply the art elements –
 line, shape, color, balance, texture, form, texture, variety, and emphasis 
in all of their artwork and art discussions
2-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, variety, and 
emphasis in their artwork and art discussions with minimal guidance
1-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, variety, and 
emphasis with direct guidance to their personal artwork

Second grade demonstrates concepts and skills:
4-Independently applies and expresses their understanding of the art 
elements- line, shape, color, form, texture, variety, space, composition, 
and rhythm in all of their personal artwork
3-Able to use a variety of materials to consistently apply the art elements –
 line, shape, color, form, texture, variety, space, composition, and rhythm 
in all of their personal artwork and art discussions
2-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, variety, 
space, composition, and rhythm in their personal artwork and art discussions 
with minimal guidance
1-Applies the art elements – line, color, shape, texture, form, variety, 
space, composition, and rhythm with direct guidance to their personal work



3-5 ART
I. Demonstrates concepts and skills
II. Participates in activities

PERFORMANCE LEVELS FOR 3RD THROUGH 5TH GRADES

E = EXCELLENT.  Student is exceeding grade level expectations.  Student 
consistently demonstrates mastery above the grade level TEKS. (Please see 
the TEKS link on the Links page for specifics).  Student applies this 
knowledge in his/her artwork.  Student uses creative thinking 
and demonstrates work beyond what is required. 

S = SATISFACTORY. Student is meeting grade level expectations or making 
satisfactory progress toward grade level expectations.  Student consistently 
demonstrates grade level TEKS. (Please see the TEKS link on the Links page 
for specifics).  Student applies this knowledge in his/her artwork. 

N = NEEDS IMPROVEMENT.  Student understands some of the art concepts covered 
in the grading cycle and demonstrates some of the grade level TEKS.  Student 
needs to work toward mastery of grade level TEKS.

U = UNACCEPTABLE.  Student does not demonstrate the grade level TEKS or art 
concepts covered in the grading cycle. At this point in the year, student 
should have but has not yet mastered the skill.

PARTICIPATION FOR GRADES 3-5:

E=Student manages time and behavior independently with no reminders or 
redirection.  Student is always on task and participates fully in class 
discussions and critique.  

S=Student manages time and behavior with few reminders.

N=Student needs consistent reminders and redirection.

U=Student consistently displays inappropriate or disruptive 
behaviors.