Arts Grade Expectations – Proficiency at High School

Dance Skill Development

APHS:1

Students show skill development when CREATING dance

by…

· Solving increasingly complex movement challenges involving

several movement concepts with a group.

· Choreographing dances that effectively communicate a

theme.

· Choreographing for a solo dancer.

· 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

APHS:2

Students PERFORM/ COMMUNICATE through dance

by…

· Demonstrating memorization and accurate reproduction of a

multiple part movement sequence, including rhythmic acuity.

· Demonstrating consistency and reliability in technical skills

with appropriate skeletal alignment, body-part articulation,

strength, flexibility, agility and coordination, elevation in

locomotor and nonlocomotor/axial movement, in solo, duet,

trio, quartet and ensemble.

· 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.

APHS:3

Students show understanding of dance CONCEPTS and

VOCABULARY by…

· Identifying or demonstrating dance concepts of space, energy,

gesture, time, form, genre.

· Improvising.

· Moving to rhythms of various genres.

· Applying space concepts.

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

manipulation, tempo, projection, expression, orientation,

reordering, variation).

· Analyzing theme and identifying dance form.

Music Skill Development

APHS:4

Students show skill development when CREATING music

by…

· Improvising short songs and instrumental pieces using a variety

of techniques, (e.g., changes in tone color, dynamics, and

pitch bending).

· Composing and arranging for voices and various acoustic and

electronic instruments, demonstrating knowledge of the

ranges and traditional usages of the sound sources.

APHS: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 level 4 (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 level 4 (see NYSSMA Manual).

· Responding to the cues of the conductor (e.g., tempo, dynamics,

cues, expression, accents, articulation, phrasing, line,

rubato).

APHS:6

Students show understanding of music CONCEPTS and VOCABULARY

by…

· Describing aural examples of a varied repertoire using the

elements of music.

· Reading and notating music at the level of difficulty of 4 on a

scale of 1-6 (See NYSSMA Manual).

Theater Skill Development

APHS:7

Students show skill development when CREATING theater

by…

· Demonstrating development of character using physical and

vocal expression and text analysis and research.

· Designing or identifying designs that establish character

based on text analysis and research.

· Using character work, scenario techniques, and design detail

to develop the performance.

APHS:8

Students PERFORM/ COMMUNICATE through theater

by…

· Producing a practiced scene.

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

· Being prepared and on-time.

· Appropriate, safe use of tools (e.g., power saws, sewing

machine, lighting equipment, paint guns).

· Using marketing techniques for a production (e.g., press

release, poster, study guide, etc.).

· Building scenic elements to fit production design.

APHS:9

Students show understanding of theatre CONCEPTS & VOCABULARY

by…

· Define and identify protagonist, antagonist, crisis, catharsis,

climax resolution, exposition complication; theme, tone or

emotion of script, objective, sub-text .

· Labeling and participating in a cold reading and audition.

· Recognizing and labeling acting technique (e.g., Stanslavski,

Meyerhold, Meisner).

Visual Arts Skill Development

APHS:10

Students show skill development when CREATING art

by…

· Selecting appropriate drawing techniques for visual representations.

· Controlling media techniques and processes with skill, confidence,

and sensitivity so that their intentions are carried out

in their works of art.

· Demonstrating effective relationships between the elements

and principles of design (e.g., using line to demonstrate

movement).

APHS:11

Students demonstrate PERFORM/COMMUNICATE skills in

visual arts by…

· Assembling and displaying objects or works of art as a part

of a public exhibition (e.g., curatorial responsibility).

· Using innovative visual metaphors in creating work of art.

APHS:12

Students show understanding of visual arts CONCEPTS and

VOCABULARY by…

· Analyzing and integrating the elements and principles of

design (e.g., expressive use of elements and compositional

structure appropriate to subject matter in order to convey

emotion or idea).

· Articulating and utilizing formal and expressive qualities of a

variety of media, techniques and complex processes with

appropriate vocabulary.

· Describing and demonstrating how art and artists reflect and

shape their time and culture.

Reflection and Critique

APHS:13

Students describe art using discipline specific vocabulary, for

example:

Dance: composition, intention, narrative, dynamics, motif/

variation

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

articulation, harmony, phrasing, style

Theater: protagonist/antagonist, crisis, catharsis, climax, resolution,

scenario, transformation

Visual Arts: by using the elements and principles of art, along

with previously learned vocabulary

APHS: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, artist’s intent,

and/or artist’s process).

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

student’s own work.

APHS:15 Students critique and revise art by…

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

Your landscape painting shows sensitive brush work in the

Japanese tradition.).

· Asking questions about your own work (e.g., How can I use

one point perspective effectively?).

· Asking questions of the artist (e.g., How were you able to

get that texture in your work?).

· Suggesting changes (e.g., You might consider using contrasting

colors for emphasis.).

· Discerning and responding to those suggestions that are

effective, and justifying aesthetic decisions.

· Developing and applying specific criteria, individually or in

groups.

Making Connections

APHS:16 Students make connections between/among the arts

and disciplines outside the arts by…

· Explaining how elements, artistic processes, and/or organizational

principles are used in similar and distinctive ways (e.g.,

form, tone color, balance, unity and variety, texture, harmony,

etc.).

· Creating art work to show understandings of a discipline (e.g.,

show understanding of music through history, show understanding

of dance through anatomy, show understanding of

theatre through literature).

APHS:17 Students show understanding of how the arts impact

life by…

· Identifying opportunities for lifelong involvement in the arts

(e.g., career, patron, recreation, entertainment).

· Investigating the levels of discipline knowledge and skills

required for career preparation in the arts.

· Demonstrating an understanding of how the arts contribute to

physical and mental health (e.g., reaction to/commentary on

an event).

APHS:18 Students show understanding of how the arts shape

and reflect various cultures and times by…

· Creating or performing a work of art that communicates a

cross cultural or universal theme.

· Classifying art works by style, genre, historical period, and

explaining why each is representative.

· Identifying universal themes and socio-political issues in a

variety of art forms in different cultural contexts.

Approach to Work

APHS:19 Students approach artistic problem solving with an

open mind and creative thinking by…

· Bringing ideas learned previously into the development of

work.

· Generating a variety of strategies/techniques to address

those challenges (e.g., researching and applying new strategies).

· Taking material they’ve learned and using it in a new way

(e.g., improvisation).

APHS: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).

APHS: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.