Arts Grade Expectations – Grade 7-8

Dance Skill Development

A7-8:1

Students show skill development when CREATING dance

by…

· Solving increasingly complex movement challenges involving

several movement concepts with a group.

· Using movement to express complex ideas (including abstract)

and narrative.

· Using dance elements reflecting various musical rhythms,

styles, dynamics, ideas and themes in choreography.

· Improvising new movements and manipulating learned

movements using the elements of dance to choreograph studies.

· Producing a multiple part sequence of nonlocomotor and

locomotor movements.

Dance Skill Development

A7-8:2

Students PERFORM/ COMMUNICATE through dance

by…

· Demonstrating memorization and accurate reproduction

of a multiple part movement sequence to a complex beat

in solo, duet, trio, quartet and ensemble.

· Demonstrating consistency and reliability in the qualities/

dynamics of movement (e.g., sustained/percussive,

strong force/light force, bound/free flow, direct/indirect).

· Recognizing and demonstrating qualities/dynamics of

movement (e.g., sustained/percussive, strong force/light

force, bound/free-flow, direct/indirect).

· Moderating projection based on piece and audience.

· Reflecting the mood and style of the dance piece.

A7-8:3

Students show understanding of dance CONCEPTS and

VOCABULARY by…

· Identifying or demonstrating dance concepts of space,

energy, gesture, time, form, genre.

· Structured improvising.

· Demonstrating moving to a variety of rhythms.

· Applying space concepts.

· Identifying and demonstrating dance movements (e.g.,

dynamics, manipulation, tempo, projection, expression,

orientation, reordering, variation).

· Identifying theme and dance form (e.g., narrative, canon,

call and response, pattern [ABA]).

Music Skill Development

A7-8:4

Students show skill development when CREATING music

by…

· Improvising using various techniques for developing musical

ideas (e.g., pentatonic, blues and major and minor

scales, riffs, motifs).

· Composing and arranging using a variety of traditional,

non-traditional and electronic media; using the elements

of music within specified guidelines; demonstrating unity,

variety, tension and release and appropriate voicing.

A7-8:5

Students PERFORM/ COMMUNICATE through music

by…

· Singing solos and two and three part literature with a more

varied repertoire (e.g., various cultures and styles) and a

degree of difficulty of levels 2-3 (see NYSSMA Manual).

· Playing a musical instrument with a more varied repertoire

(e.g., various culture and styles) alone and with others and

a degree of difficulty of levels 2-3 (see NYSSMA Manual)

· Responding to the cues of the conductor (e.g., steady beat,

tempo, start and stop, dynamics, cues, expression, accents,

articulation).

A7-8:6

Students show understanding of music CONCEPTS and

VOCABULARY by…

· Describing aural examples of music using appropriate

terminology (e.g., pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, form,

timbre, texture, articulation, harmony, phrasing, style).

· Reading and notating music at the level of difficulty of 2

on a scale of 1-6 (See NYSSMA Manual).

Theater Skill Development

A7-8:7

Students show skill development when CREATING theater

by…

· Demonstrating development of character using physical

and vocal expression.

· Designing or identifying designs that support and/or enhance

character.

· Developing a character using non-verbal techniques (e.g.

dance, mime, physical comedy, stage combat (wrestling,

sword play, physical confrontation).

A7-8:8

Students PERFORM/ COMMUNICATE through theater

by…

· Presenting a rehearsed or scene.

· Adjusting voice tone/level and timing before an audience.

· Communicating with parents, being prepared, and ontime.

· Appropriate, safe use of hand tools (e.g., cordless drill,

stapler, hammer, etc.).

· Presenting necessary study guide material for your audience.

· Identifying use of line, space, color and texture in production

design.

A7-8:9

Students show understanding of theater CONCEPTS and

VOCABULARY by…

· Describing stage architecture (i.e., proscenium, thrust,

arena, fourth wall).

· Identifying motivation and conflict.

· Describing what is involved in arts management, marketing,

promotion.

· Explaining the roles of production staff.

· Recognizing and label acting styles, genre, sensory language,

physical comedy, dialogue and monologue, nonverbal

skills.

Visual Arts Skill Development

A7-8:10

Students show skill development when CREATING art

by…

· Using personal observation to refine the visual representation

of objects in their drawings and paintings (e.g., proportion,

shading techniques, color relationships).

· Selecting art tools and materials for specific purposes.

· Making compositional decisions guided by specific principles,

such as balance, movement, emphasis, etc. (e.g.,

intentional use of color as expressive quality, printmaking,

additive/subtractive sculpture, etc.).

A7-8:11

Students demonstrate PERFORM/COMMUNICATE skills

in visual arts by…

· Selecting a piece of their own art work for a public exhibition

and defending their choice.

· Demonstrating individual point of view to create meaning

in their work of art.

A7-8:12

Students show understanding of visual arts CONCEPTS

and VOCABULARY by…

· Describing and integrating elements and principles of

design (e.g., emphasis, unity, asymmetry, rhythm, movement,

expressive use of color).

· Describing and making use of formal and expressive qualities

of different media, processes and techniques with

appropriate vocabulary (e.g., one and two point perspective,

modeling, stippling, cross-hatching, additive and

subtractive sculpting).

· Identifying and describing different motivations and purposes

of artists and their art work, demonstrating an understanding

of their context in time and place.

Reflection and Critique

A7-8:13

Students describe art using discipline specific vocabulary,

for example:

Dance: phrasing, complex meters, positive/negative space,

form (ABA, rondos)

Music: pitch; rhythm, tempo, dynamics, form, timbre, texture,

articulation, harmony, phrasing, style

Theater: exposition, conflict, action/reaction, production

value, focus, scenic concepts, theme

Visual Arts: emphasis, unity asymmetry, rhythm, movement,

modeling, stippling, cross-hatching, additive and subtractive

sculpting

A7-8:14 Students analyze, interpret, and respond to art

by…

· Explaining qualities (elements, principles of design, expression)

and how they evoke emotion and meaning.

· Relating varied interpretations of works of art using some

or all of the following (e.g., observation, personal experience,

background knowledge, cultural context).

· Comparing/ contrasting works of art, which may include a

student’s own work.

A7-8:15 Students critique and revise art by…

· Making affirming statements with specific evidence (e.g.,

The band played with good balance.).

· Asking questions about your own work (e.g., How did the

clarinet section respond to the tempo change?).

· Asking questions of the artist(s) (e.g., Why were the violins

sharp in the first passage?).

· Suggesting changes (e.g., The drummers might try playing

at the edge of the drum head to play softer.).

· Discerning and responding to those suggestions that are

effective, and justifying aesthetic decisions.

· Developing and applying specific criteria, individually or

in groups.

Making Connections

A7-8:16 Students make connections between/among the arts

and disciplines outside the arts by…

· Demonstrating ways in which the basic principles and

subject matter are applicable (e.g., form, balance, tone,

color, unity and variety).

· Communicating ideas, concepts, feelings from other disciplines

(e.g., show understanding of theatre through dance).

A7-8:17 Students show understanding of how the arts impact

life by…

· Modeling skills of different arts careers through classroom

work or community experiences.

· Identifying career pathways in the arts and the skills

needed.

· Demonstrating an understanding of how the arts contribute

to physical and mental health (e.g., self-expression, such

as anger, joy, confusion, frustration).

A7-8:18 Students show understanding of how the arts shape

and reflect various cultures and times by…

· Creating or performing art from different cultures, identifying

common subjects, themes and techniques/styles.

· Identifying significant artists and their works from various

times and places.

· Researching and describing how the arts reflect cultural

values in various traditions throughout the world.

 

Approach to Work

A7-8:19 Students approach artistic problem solving with an

open mind and creative thinking by…

· Identifying challenges inherent in the work (e.g., My print

is blurred.).

· Generating a variety of strategies/techniques to address

those challenges (e.g., Should I add more ink? Should I

press harder with my baren?).

· Considering and trying out these diverse solutions, and

employing one appropriate to the work (e.g., I’ll add more

ink.).

A7-8:20 Students develop effective, personal work habits

by…

· Demonstrating commitment and a sense of purpose (e.g.,

persevering to complete quality work, working to personal

best).

· Demonstrating understanding of health and safety issues

related to the arts (e.g., using safe work habits and techniques).

· Developing rigorous criteria and setting goals for themselves

(e.g., prioritizing responsibilities, managing

time/materials, and meeting completion deadlines).

· Using a variety of learning strategies (e.g., different practice

techniques).

A7-8:21 Students demonstrate appropriate interactions

by…

· Cooperating in an ensemble, group, or partnership to

maintain an environment of safety, confidence, mutual

esteem, and support.

· Responding constructively as members of an audience/

group.