STANDARDS & BENCHMARKS

Fine Arts (Middle 6-8)

STANDARDS	BENCHMARKS
Understand the sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive qualities of the arts.	25.A.3a Dance: Describe how elements are combined and contrasted; identify the principles of transition, variety and balance; and the expressive qualities of movement.
	25.A.3b Drama: Understand how the elements of acting, directing, playwriting and designing combine with the principles of tension, rhythm, pattern, unity, balance, repetition and idea to communicate.
	25.A.3c Music: Identify and describe changes in elements and expressive qualities (e.g., crescendo, ritardando, fermata, meter, sforzando).
	25.A.3d Visual Arts: Identify and describe the elements of value, perspective and color schemes; the principles of contrast, emphasis and unity; and the expressive qualities of thematic development and sequence.
	25.A.3e Visual Arts: Analyze how the elements and principles can be organized to convey meaning through a variety of media and technology.
Understand the similarities, distinctions and connections in and among the arts.	25.B.3 Compare and contrast the elements and principles in two or more art works that share similar themes.
Understand processes, traditional tools and modern technologies used in the arts.	26.A.3a Dance: Describe how body actions, types of accompaniment, lighting, costuming and processes (e.g., reordering and refining) influence the expressive qualities of dance.
	26.A.3b Drama: Describe the use of the primary tools (body, mind and voice) and the support tools (costumes, scenery, props, lights, make-up, sound) to convey an idea through acting, playwriting and designing a drama or theater activity.
	26.A.3c Music: Describe the processes involved in composing, conducting and performing.
	26.A.3d Music: Read and interpret traditional music notation in a varied repertoire.
	26.A.3e Visual Arts: Describe how the choices of tools/technologies and processes are used to create specific effects in the arts.
Apply skills and knowledge necessary to create and perform in one or more of the arts.	26.B.3a Dance: Demonstrate body alignment; movement from center; awareness of accent, meter and phrasing; and step patterns from different dance styles and forms.
	26.B.3b Drama: Demonstrate storytelling, improvising and memorizing scripted material supported by simple aural and visual effects and personal background knowledge needed to create and perform in drama/theater.
	26.B.3c Music: Sing or play with expression and accuracy a variety of music representing diverse cultures and styles.
	26.B.3d Visual Arts: Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create 2- and 3-dimensional works and time arts (e.g., film, animation, video) that are realistic, abstract, functional and decorative.
Analyze how the arts function in history, society and everyday life.	27.A.3a Identify and describe careers and jobs in and among the arts and how they contribute to the world of work.
	27.A.3b Compare and contrast how the arts function in ceremony, technology, politics, communication and entertainment.
Understand how the arts shape and reflect history, society and everyday life.	27.B.3 Know and describe how artists and their works shape culture and increase understanding of societies, past and present.