Visual & Performing Arts

In the primary grades (K-2), visual art students begin to explore and develop an understanding of the elements of art and principals of design by exploring a variety of materials and techniques. They develop their observational and fine motor skills and sensory connections to create artworks.

As they progress into the intermediate grades (3-6), students build on their previous understanding of the elements of art and principles of design to create artworks. They use a variety of media, genres, styles, and techniques and use established guidelines to present, reflect upon and explain their artwork to others. They develop visual thinking strategies as they create and respond to art and make connections across disciplines, cultures, place, and time.

• Washington State Visual Arts Standards
• Curriculum: FLEX Curriculum, The Art of Education Publications + a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.

In the primary grades (K-2), music students echo pitches, dynamics, beats, and rhythms. They identify, distinguish, and experience pitch, melody, rhythm, dynamics and sound sources as they use their voices, bodies, and instruments in games and activities. They explore a variety of styles and genres of music, as they begin to develop singing and playing skills and techniques while exploring the elements of music.

At the intermediate level (3-5), students have the opportunity to perform and improvise in a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles. Students understand and perform a variety of types and styles of music and use musical skills and techniques to explore and apply the elements of music. Technique is learned as a foundation for students to continue the study of music at the secondary level and beyond.

• Washington State Standards
• K-5 Music Curriculum: QuaverMusic, QuaverEd Publications, Silver Burdett Making Music, Pearson Publications (supplemental), World Music Drumming, by Will Schmid, Hal Leonard Publications (supplemental)
• 6th Strings Curriculum: String Basics by Terry Shade & Jeremy Woolstenhulme
• 6th Band Curriculum: Tradition of Excellence by Bruce Pearson

Students use aesthetic criteria to present and reflect upon artwork. They become visually literate thinkers and creators as they analyze and respond to art and make connections across disciplines, cultures, place, and time. 2D and 3D courses are offered as semester-long or year-long classes.

• Washington State Visual Arts Standards

Students experience a variety of types and styles of music, including diverse cultural genres and music from various historical periods. Students perform, compose, examine, and interpret music. They make musical choices based upon their abilities and experiences. Students experience, develop and practice the fundamentals, skills, and techniques of music and use the elements of music for life.

Music ensemble opportunities include intermediate and advanced level concert band, jazz band, percussion, intermediate and advanced level string orchestra, intermediate and advanced level choir, show choir, and world drumming.

• Washington State Music Standards
• Curriculum: Teachers use a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.

In the intermediate level, students become visually literate thinkers and creators as they examine, produce, and present original work. They use aesthetic criteria to analyze and respond to art and make connections across disciplines, cultures, place, and time. They study career paths related to the visual arts. Courses offered at the intermediate level include: Intro to drawing, Sculpting & Painting, Intermediate Drawing, Painting and Ceramics.

At the advanced level, students synthesize visual arts elements and continue to use a variety of media, genres, styles, and techniques to communicate for specific purposes and audiences. They work independently and safely to develop a personal style in a body of work that exemplifies, and is evidence of, a deeper understanding of technical skill and perceptual mastery. They integrate personal experience and meaning. As visually literate thinkers, creators, and consumers of visual art, they examine, produce, exhibit, and justify a body of original work. They use a variety of aesthetic criteria to analyze, interpret, and respond to art and make connections across disciplines, cultures, place, and time. They study career paths related to the visual arts. Course offerings at the advanced level include: Advanced Drawing, Ceramics and Painting, AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2-D Design, AP Studio Art 3-D Design, and Senior Studio.

• Washington State Visual Arts Standards
• Curriculum: Teachers use a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.

Theatre

A student’s theatre-education experience may include, but is not limited to, acting, theatre, film acting and film-making, improvisation, mime, performed spoken work, musical theatre, playwriting, technical theatre/stagecraft, and theatre production. Beginning and intermediate course offering are designed to develop acting skills and gain a general knowledge of the theatre world. Advanced theatre offerings take a deeper look into all areas of the theatre including musical theatre.

• Washington State Theatre Standards
• Curriculum: Teachers use a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.

Dance

Precision Dance at the high school level allows a student to learn basic dance concepts and styles while preparing to perform at events, contests, and sporting venues. Students also have the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of dance choreography.

• Washington State Dance Standards
• Curriculum: Teachers use a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.

In the intermediate level music classes, students experience a variety of types and styles of music, including diverse cultural genres and music from various historical periods. Students perform, compose, interpret, and analyze music. They make musical choices based upon their abilities, experiences, and audiences. Students understand and apply the fundamentals, skills, and techniques of music and use the elements of music for life. Music offering include: intermediate percussion, concert band, intermediate jazz band, treble choir, intermediate mixed choir, show choir, men’s ensemble, intermediate orchestra, piano class, guitar class and music theory.

At the advanced level, students continue to experience a variety of types and styles of music as they perform, compose, interpret, and analyze music. They make independent musical choices that are tailored to their audiences, abilities, experiences, needs, and passions. Students understand, apply, and analyze the fundamentals, skills, and techniques of music and use the elements of music throughout their careers and lives. Music offerings at this level include: wind ensemble, advanced percussion, advanced jazz band, symphonic choir, advanced vocal small ensembles, jazz choir, advanced orchestra, chamber orchestra, instrumental small ensembles and AP music theory.

• Washington State Music Standards
• Curriculum: Teachers use a variety of professional sources for literature and technique instructional materials.