Creative Arts & Fine Arts
Overview
Fine Arts: AHSD25 provides students with an enriching Arts Education starting in Kindergarten and continuing through their 8th grade year. Elementary school students receive instruction in both Art and Music each year. In addition, students have the opportunity to join Band starting in 5th grade. Music for Youth also offers students a chance to study a string instrument starting in Kindergarten. Middle school gives students a wide range of experiences in the Fine Arts. At the middle school level, 3 of the 6 disciplines of study in the Creative Arts rotation include Art, Drama, and Music.
Creative Arts: In Middle School, students experience 6 disciplines in the Creative Arts Rotation: Art, Drama, Music, Communication Media Arts, STEM, and Digital Arts and Design. Students experience all disciplines in their 6th grade year and then are given the opportunity to rank these disciplines in 7th and 8th grade (more information on this structure is below under specific grade levels).
Standards
In June 2016, Illinois adopted the Illinois Arts Learning Standards, which are based on the National Core Arts Standards. All Fine Arts curriculum is aligned to these standards.
Katie Paulson
kpaulson@sd25.org
Program Coordinator
Instruction
Kindergarten
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Kindergarten students attend one 30 minute music class each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in Kindergarten will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Investigate, create, and refine artistic works.
- I can explain what I made from my imagination.
- I can explore art materials.
- I can use materials safely.
- I can put materials away where they belong.
- I can explain what materials I used.
- I can explain the steps for making my artwork.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work.
- I can keep a collection of my artwork.
- I can explain why artists have portfolios.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work.
- I can identify art in my surroundings.
- I can explain what art is used for.
- I can name the subject of a work of art.
- I can name details about the subject in the artwork.
- I can make art that tells a story about a life experience.
- I can explain how my artwork tells a story.
Music
Students in Kindergarten will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can choose movements to a song.
- I can play my own notes on an instrument.
- I can play and sing to a steady beat.
- I can move to a steady beat.
- I can show the shape of the music using pictures or my body.
- I can create a pattern to show the beat.
- I can play or sing a melody.
- I can write and play a rhythm.
- I can play my song for the class.
- I can make changes to my music.
2) Analyze, rehearse, and evaluate music for performance.
- I can hear when I’m not together with the class.
- I can play (or sing) loud or soft.
- I can play (or sing) fast or slow.
- I can sing with a light voice.
- I can use movement to show the feeling of the song.
- I can show how to be focused while performing.
- I can match my face to the feeling of the song.
- I can sing the words correctly.
- I can perform the motions accurately.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life.
- I can share what I like and dislike about a song.
- I can explain why I like or dislike this song.
- I can explain how this music connects to an experience I had.
- I can explain how people use music everyday.
- I can explain how music connects with art and dance.
1st Grade
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Students in grades 1-5 attend two 30 minute music classes each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in 1st grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can show how I work with others.
- I can show how I explore and play with materials.
- I can show how to use materials safely.
- I can show how to use the materials, tools, and equipment correctly.
- I can show how to clean and store materials correctly.
- I can define art vocabulary words.
- I can use art vocabulary to describe my art.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work
- I can identify and describe different spaces to show artwork.
- I can explain why presenting artwork is important.
- I can prepare my art for presentation.
- I can explain how to protect my art while I’m making it.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work
- I can describe a work of art that shows everyday life.
- I can explain what I see in a picture.
- I can explain how the picture relates to me or others.
- I can identify the subject in an artwork.
- I can identify the category the artwork belongs to (still life, portrait, landscape, etc.).
- I can describe how the artist arranged the objects in the picture.
- I can identify different places I can make art outside of school.
- I can identify reasons for making art.
- I can describe what inspired my artwork.
Music
Students in 1st grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can create a melody using a given set of notes.
- I can create rhythms to a steady beat.
- I can record my song.
- I can write a melody.
- I can write a rhythm.
- I can make changes to my music based on feedback.
- I can explain the changes I made to my music.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work
- I can play rhythm patterns that use symbols or notes.
- I can match the notes to what I hear.
- I can use suggestions from the teacher to improve my performance.
- I can show the correct emotions while singing my songs.
- I can show emotion while performing my song.
- I can perform my song using the correct speed and volume.
- I can explain why I am performing this song.
- I can show good behavior when I am performing.
- I can change my behavior based on the song I am performing.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life
- I can describe the music that I listen to.
- I can share what I like and dislike about a song.
- I can explain the story that the music tells.
- I can explain how I listen to music outside of school.
- I can explain how music connects to the other subjects I learn in school.
2nd Grade
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Students in grades 1-5 attend two 30 minute music classes each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in 2nd grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Investigate, create, and refine artistic works.
- I can collaborate to solve an art or design problem.
- I can brainstorm many solutions for an art or design problem.
- I can use materials carefully.
- I can clean and store materials properly.
- I can care for tools and materials so they will last.
- I can explain the choices I made in my art.
- I can give suggestions to my classmates about their artwork.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work.
- I can explain how different artworks are displayed.
- I can explain why artwork is presented in different ways.
- I can prepare a work of art for presentation.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work.
- I can describe design in nature and buildings.
- I can compare art and nature.
- I can explain how nature inspires art.
- I can identify the subject of an artwork.
- I can describe the mood of an artwork.
- I can describe the arrangement of an artwork.
- I can tell a personal story with my art.
- I can create artwork based on an event.
Music
Students in 2nd grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can create a melody or rhythm.
- I can play the notes in a scale.
- I can create rhythms that stay with the beat.
- I can use rhythms in my melody that fit with the meter.
- I can write or record musical ideas.
- I can explain how my musical ideas go together.
- I can create a melody.
- I can create a rhythm.
- I can document improvements I made to my musical ideas.
- I can make changes to my music based on feedback.
- I can explain how I used a friend’s feedback.
2) Analyze, rehearse, and evaluate music for performance.
- I can play or sing notes/rhythms by reading music.
- I can identify when the melody goes higher or lower.
- I can identify how long a note is held.
- I can identify the parts of the song that need more practice.
- I can play or sing with good music posture.
- I can show how I practice my song.
- I can play/sing music using the correct notes and rhythms.
- I can perform my piece using the correct speed, volume and style.
- I can explain why I am performing this song.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I am performing.
- I can change my behavior based on the song I am playing/singing.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life.
- I can share what I like and dislike about a song.
- I can explain why I like and dislike parts of a song.
- I can explain how this music connects to an experience I had.
- I can explain how music is used in daily life.
- I can explain how music relates to art or dance.
3rd Grade
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Students in grades 1-5 attend two 30 minute music classes each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in 3rd grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Investigate, create, and refine artistic works.
- I can produce an imaginative idea.
- I can expand on my idea with details.
- I can use materials carefully.
- I can clean and store materials properly.
- I can conserve materials so they are not wasted.
- I can use materials appropriately to improve craftsmanship.
- I can create an artwork with many details.
- I can explain how the details add meaning in my artwork.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work.
- I can explain how and why artwork is presented in different ways.
- I can identify and describe different spaces to display artwork.
- I can write an artist’s statement.
- I can prepare a work of art for presentation.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work.
- I can predict the steps the artist used to make a work of art.
- I can identify the materials used in a work of art.
- I can describe the arrangement of an artwork.
- I can explain the subject matter and mood of an artwork.
- I can provide evidence for my thoughts about an artwork.
- I can describe observations of my surroundings.
- I can create a work of art based on my surroundings.
- I can explain how my surroundings are incorporated in my artwork.
Music
Students in 3rd grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can create a melody within a given tonality.
- I can create rhythms that follows the meter.
- I can document my musical ideas.
- I can create a melody.
- I can create a rhythm.
- I can share my musical idea (notation, technology).
- I can identify ways to improve my musical ideas.
- I can document the changes I make.
- I can make changes based on feedback and our class expectations.
2) Analyze, rehearse, and evaluate music for performance.
- I can read rhythms.
- I can read note names in treble clef.
- I can play or sing notes on the treble staff.
- I can play written rhythms.
- I can demonstrate how I improved parts that needed rehearsal.
- I can identify various practice techniques and skills.
- I can perform a piece of music with accuracy.
- I can perform my piece using expression.
- I can show proper behavior when viewing a performance.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I am performing for an audience.
- I can demonstrate when it is appropriate for the audience to interact with the performers.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior, as a performer or audience member, in different settings.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life.
- I can describe how the performance made me feel.
- I can describe a setting where this piece would be appropriate.
- I can identify the dynamics used in a piece of music.
- I can identify who or what is performing the music.
- I can identify the instrument family playing the piece of music.
- I can identify how music connects to other arts.
- I can identify how music connects to other subjects.
- I can identify how music is used in daily life.
4th Grade
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Students in grades 1-5 attend two 30 minute music classes each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in 4th grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Investigate, create, and refine artistic works.
- I can identify principles of design.
- I can use my knowledge of design to brainstorm an idea for an artwork.
- I can create art in multiple ways.
- I can use materials safely.
- I can clean and store materials properly.
- I can show care and concern in my art-making process.
- I can apply suggestions from my peers in my artwork.
- I can explain why I made adjustments to my artwork based on peer critique.
- I can identify growth in my artwork through a self-assessment.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work.
- I can explain how and why artwork is presented in different ways.
- I can explain the physical choices that improve the presentation of my artwork.
- I can explain ways to protect artwork.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work.
- I can describe the process I went through to create an artwork.
- I can identify the materials and media used in an artwork.
- I can explain why an artist makes certain decisions based on the media they are using.
- I can explain how making art has changed my response to art made with similar media.
- I can use visual clues to make conclusions about a work of art.
- I can provide evidence for how the artist’s decisions express an idea or mood.
- I can make connections between the artwork and other experiences.
- I can identify a particular community’s values or beliefs.
- I can create an artwork that reflects a specific community tradition or belief.
Music
Students in 4th grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can improvise on an instrument or with my voice.
- I can explain why I played what I played (or sang what I sang).
- I can identify the social and cultural meaning of my song.
- I can document my musical ideas.
- I can create a melody.
- I can create a rhythm.
- I can use harmony in my piece.
- I can perform my original music.
- I can explain the meaning of my piece.
- I can identify when my music is ready to perform.
- I can perform my song with expression.
- I can explain how I am expressing the meaning of my song in my performance.
2) Analyze, rehearse, and evaluate music for performance.
- I can read rhythms.
- I can read note names.
- I can play or sing notes and rhythms by reading music.
- I can identify parts of the song that need improvement for performance.
- I can identify various practice techniques and skills.
- I can explain the steps I will take to improve my performance.
- I can perform a piece of music with accuracy.
- I can perform my piece using expressive elements (dynamics, articulation, etc.).
- I can explain how my interpretation of the song makes sense.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I watch a performance.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I am performing for an audience.
- I can demonstrate when it is appropriate for the audience to interact with the performers.
- I can demonstrate how my performance should change based on the type of music I am performing.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life.
- I can explain why the performer highlighted different elements of music in their interpretation.
- I can evaluate a performance based on the appropriate criteria for this style.
- I can explain why the criteria we are using are appropriate for this music.
- I can explain how music connects to other arts.
- I can explain how music connects to other fields.
- I can explain how music is used in daily life.
- I can explain the effect music has on society.
5th Grade
All Kindergarten through 5 students experience music and art classes. Students in grades 1-5 attend two 30 minute music classes each week as well as one 45 minute art class.
Art
Students in 5th grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Investigate, create, and refine artistic works.
- I can combine a variety of ideas and use them in a new way.
- I can provide evidence for why my idea is new.
- I can use materials carefully.
- I can clean and store materials properly.
- I can conserve materials so they are not wasted.
- I can show care and concern in my art-making process.
- I can compose an artist statement using art vocabulary.
- I can explain why I made adjustments to my artwork based on peer critique.
- I can make connections between the artist statement and the artwork.
2) Select, analyze, and present artistic work.
- I can explain how and why artwork is presented in different ways.
- I can explain the physical choices that improve the presentation of my artwork.
3) Identify, interpret, and evaluate artistic work.
- I can provide evidence for my thoughts about an artwork.
- I can compare and contrast my thoughts about an artwork with someone else’s.
- I can identify multiple ways of interpreting an artwork.
- I can identify artistic choices used in a work of art.
- I can provide evidence of the use of elements of art (line, shape, form, value, color, space, texture).
- I can provide evidence for how the artist’s decisions express an idea or mood.
- I can identify the elements and principles of art and design in my surroundings.
- I can explain how an artwork has meaning within its environment.
Music
Students in 5th grade will be working towards the following report card standards over time as they develop the skills listed:
1) Imagine, create, edit, and present original musical works.
- I can improvise on an instrument or with my voice.
- I can explain why I played what I played (or sang what I sang).
- I can identify the historical importance of my song.
- I can document my musical ideas.
- I can create a melody.
- I can create a rhythm.
- I can use a two chord harmony in my piece.
- I can perform my original music.
- I can explain the meaning of my piece.
- I can identify when my music is ready to perform.
- I can play my song accurately and with expression.
2) Analyze, rehearse, and evaluate music for performance.
- I can read rhythms.
- I can read note names.
- I can play or sing notes and rhythms by reading music.
- I can identify parts of the song that need improvement for performance.
- I can identify various practice techniques and skills.
- I can explain why I need to improve my performance.
- I can explain the steps I will take to improve my performance.
- I can document the progress I have made through my rehearsal.
- I can perform a piece of music with accuracy.
- I can perform my piece using expressive elements (dynamics, articulation, etc.).
- I can explain why I performed my song the way I did.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I watch a performance.
- I can demonstrate appropriate behavior when I am performing for an audience.
- I can demonstrate when it is appropriate for the audience to interact with the performers.
3) Evaluate musical recordings and performances and relate them to daily life.
- I can explain why the performer highlighted different elements of music in their interpretation.
- I can evaluate a performance based on the appropriate criteria for this style.
- I can provide evidence from the music to support my ideas.
- I can explain how music connects to other arts.
- I can explain how music connects to other fields.
- I can explain how music is used in daily life.
- I can explain the effect music has on society.
6th Grade
7th Grade
In 7th grade, students will experience 4 of the 6 disciplines for a quarter each. The 7th grade classes are an extension of the 6th grade experience and give students an opportunity to go into more depth in 4 of the 6 disciplines. Students will be given the opportunity to indicate their interests at the end of their 6th grade year. Students are scheduled into 4 classes based on several considerations including class size and student interest. Teachers and Administration do their best to give students as many of their top rankings as possible. However, students may not be scheduled in their top 4 ranked classes depending on a variety of scheduling factors.
8th Grade
Students will experience 4 exploratory courses for a quarter each. In 8th grade, students have the opportunity to take various exploratory courses in each discipline. Teachers design these specialty exploratory courses, and examples might include 3D Printing in the discipline of STEM or Sculpture in the discipline of Art. Students can take up to 2 courses in any one discipline. Students will be given the opportunity to indicate their interests during their 7th grade year. Students are scheduled into 4 courses based on several considerations, including class size and student interest. Teachers and Administration do their best to give students as many of their top choices as possible. However, students may not be scheduled in their top 4 ranked exploratory courses depending on a variety of scheduling factors.