Grade 6-7

Grade 8

Grade 9-10

Grade 11-12

1. The student understands and applies arts knowledge and skills.

timbre

Reads, writes, and creates using rhythms including whole through sixteenth (notes and rests) 
(rhythm)

Understands and uses staccato/legato, accent (expression)

Identifies the following registers: soprano, alto, tenor, bass 
(timbre)

Reads, writes, and creates using dotted rhythms 
(rhythm)

Understands and uses tempo markings (i.e., largo, andante, allegro, presto, ritardando, accelerando) 
(expression)

Demonstrates comprehension of rhythms in duple/ triple meter 
(rhythm)

Demonstrates comprehension of simple/compound meter (rhythm)

Identifies and performs syncopated rhythms (rhythm)

harmony

Identifies the following musical notation: Da Capo, D.C. al Fine, Dal Segno, 1^st & 2^nd endings key signature & slur (notation)

Writes and identifies notes in the bass clef (notation)

Understands that steps and leaps create intervals 
(harmony)

Recognizes and interprets musical symbols and notation appropriate to music rehearsed and performed (notation)

Visually and aurally recognizes and explains the form of music rehearsed and performed (form)

Understands that melodies can be accompanied by chordal progressions 
(harmony)

Recognizes and interprets standard musical symbols and notation appropriate to music rehearsed and performed 
(notation)

Visually and aurally recognizes and explains the form of music rehearsed and performed (form)

Identifies textures in a musical composition (harmony)

Maintains an independent musical line within an ensemble 
(harmony)

Recognizes and interprets key signatures (notation)

Explains the circle of fifths 
(notation)

Visually and aurally recognizes and explains advanced musical forms (i.e., sonata-allegro, fugue) 
(form)

Analyzes and describes textures within a musical composition 
(harmony)

Visually and aurally identifies intervals and chords (e.g., major, minor, perfect) 
(harmony)

1.2 Develops arts skills and techniques

Demonstrates listening skills by correcting personal tone and volume

Improvises a melodic phrase

Plays and/or sings using characteristic tonal production (i.e. resonance, vowel placement)

Understands and applies expressive elements in music rehearsed and performed

Demonstrates reading and listening skills by correcting personal errors in pitch, rhythm

Performs music of varying styles and genres

Performs individually or in a small ensemble

Understands and applies expressive elements in music rehearsed and performed

Performs music of varying styles, genres, and historical periods

Analyzes and interprets stylistic differences in selected musical genres

Refines tonal production to create a mature, characteristic sound

Independently analyzes and interprets music rehearsed and performed (i.e. stylistically and expressively)

Exhibits achievement in area of choice (i.e. recital, composition, conducting, research, technology)

Demonstrates informed, independent musical decision-making

1.3 Understands and applies arts styles from various artists, cultures and times

Identifies techniques from various artists, cultures, and/or times

Applies techniques from various artists, cultures and/or times

Transfers understandings from one artistic style to a larger group of artworks

Applies knowledge of artistic styles and cultural traditions to make informed choices for an arts presentation

1.4 Applies audience skills in a variety of arts settings and performances

Identifies how the audience and artist/ performer interact

Understands and demonstrates the relationship and interactive responsibilities of the artist/performer and audience

Articulates how audience conventions and responsibilities differ according to style and culture

Analyzes how style, culture, and history have influenced audience conventions

Grade 6-7

Grade 8

Grade 9-10

Grade 11-12

2. The student demonstrates thinking skills using artistic processes.

Conceptualizes the context or purpose

Gathers information from diverse sources

Develops ideas and techniques

Organizes arts elements, forms, and/or principles into a creative work

Reflects for the purpose of elaboration and self evaluation

Refines work based on feedback

Presents work to others

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a creative process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a creative process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a creative process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a creative process

Identifies audience and purpose

Selects artistic work (repertoire) to perform

Analyzes the structure and background of work

Interprets by developing a personal approach to the work

Rehearses, adjusts, and refines through evaluation and problem solving

Presents work for others

Reflects and evaluates

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a performance process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a performance process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills and techniques through a performance process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a performance process

Engages actively and purposefully

Describes what is seen and/or heard

Analyzes how the elements are arranged and organized

Interprets based on descriptive properties

Evaluates using supportive evidence and criteria

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a responding process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a responding process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills, and techniques through a responding process

Applies previously learned arts concepts, vocabulary, skills and techniques through a responding process

Grade 6-7

Grade 8

Grade 9-10

Grade 11-12

3. The student communicates through the arts.

3.1 Uses the arts to express and present ideas and feelings

Identifies use and misuse (plagiarism) of pre-existing artistic works to communicate

Expresses ideas and feelings through the arts in a variety of styles

Describes use and misuse of pre-existing artistic works to communicate

Expresses ideas and feelings through the arts in a variety of forms and styles

Articulates and justifies the use of pre-existing artistic works to communicate

Expresses ideas and feelings through the arts, synthesizing forms and styles

3.2 Uses the arts to communicate for a specific purpose

Uses the arts to communicate for a specific purpose (e.g., to record history, persuade)

Creates and/or performs an artwork to communicate for a selected purpose with instructor assistance

Analyzes how the deliberate use of artistic elements communicates for a specific purpose

Supports and defends the artistic elements chosen to communicate for a specific purpose

3.3 Develops personal aesthetic criteria to communicate artistic choices

Describes how aesthetic choices are influenced by historical context

Explains how aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and history

Analyzes how cultural and historical perspectives influence personal aesthetic criteria

Analyzes personal aesthetic development

Grade 6-7

Grade 8

Grade 9-10

Grade 11-12

4. The student makes connections within and across the arts, to other disciplines, life, cultures, and work.

4.1 Demonstrates and analyzes the connections among the arts disciplines

Describes arts processes that are unique to each arts discipline

Compares and contrasts attributes of personal art work with other arts disciplines

Analyzes an arts presentation that integrates two or more arts disciplines

Creates an arts presentation integrating two or more arts disciplines

4.2 Demonstrates and analyzes the connections between the arts and other content areas

Demonstrates that art concepts occur in other content areas

Explains relationships between the arts and other content areas

Integrates and adapts skills within the arts and other content areas

Creates an arts presentation, integrating the arts with another content area

4.3 Understands how the arts impact lifelong choices

Analyzes how the arts impact peer group choices

Analyzes how the arts impact choices in natural and constructed environments

Analyzes how the arts impact economic choices

Projects and plans how the arts impact personal future choices

4.4 Understands that the arts shape and reflect culture and history

Identifies specific attributes of artworks that reflect culture and history

Compares and contrasts specific attributes of artworks that reflect culture and history

Identifies specific attributes of artworks that shape culture and history

Applies knowledge of how the arts shape and reflect culture and history throughout time

4.5 Demonstrates knowledge of arts careers and the role of arts skills in the world of work

Identifies job specific skills for arts careers

Demonstrates collaborative skills

Describes work habits and skills needed for careers in the arts

Explains how art skills and knowledge are used in the world of work

Assumes roles of arts careers and practices appropriate work habits and skills

Analyzes and interprets how arts skills and knowledge influence the world of work

Researches arts careers (e.g. job shadowing, apprenticeships and mentorships)

Applies arts skills and knowledge used in the world of work