Middletown Public Schools

Visual Arts & Music Curriculum

The K-12 Visual Arts & Music Curriculum identifies what all students should know and be able to do in art education. Each grade or course includes the National Standards for Arts Education, the Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations for Visual Arts and Music and the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects, research-based instructional strategies, resources, map (or suggested timeline), rubrics, and checklists.

The curriculum provides learners with a sequential comprehensive education in Visual Arts and Music through the study of National Standards for Arts Education that include:

Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes.
Using knowledge of structures (elements) and functions (principles)
Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas.
Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.
Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others.
Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
Singling alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines
Reading and notating music
Listening to and analyzing, and describing music
Evaluating music and music performances
Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Through the study of Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations for Visual Arts & Music that include:

Artistic processes
Cultural contexts
Communication
Aesthetic judgment

MPS Visual Arts Glossary
MPS Music Glossary

*grade level*	Art K-2	Art 3-4	Art 5-6	Art 7-8	Art 9-12	Music K-2	Music 3-4	Music 5-6	Music 7-8	Music 9-12
*curriculum matrix / framework*	framework	framework	framework	framework	ceramics framework digital photo framework foundations visual design framework	framework	framework	music framework band framework chorus framework	music framework band framework chorus framework	band framework chorus framework
*curriculum timeframe / maps*	map	gr 3 map gr 4 map	gr 5 map (16 days) gr 6 map (16 days) gr 5 map (32 days) gr 6 map (32 days)	gr 7 map (16 days) gr 8 map (16 days) gr 7 map (32 days) gr 8 map (32 days)	ceramics map digital photo map foundations visual design map	map	map	music map band map chorus map	music map band map chorus map	band map chorus map

grade level curriculum matrix / frameworkcurriculum timeframe / mapsArt K-2framework map Art 3-4framework gr 3 map, gr 4 mapArt 5-6framework

gr 5 map (16 days) , gr 6 map (16 days)

gr 5 map (32 days) , gr 6 map (32 days)

Art 7-8framework

gr 7 map (16 days) , gr 8 map (16 days)

gr 7 map (32 days) , gr 8 map (32 days)

Art 9-12ceramics framework, digital photo framework, foudations visual design framework ceramics map, digital photo map, foudations visual design mapMusic K-2 framework mapMusic 3-4 framework mapMusic 5-6music framework, band framework, chorus frameworkmusic map, band map, chorus mapMusic 7-8music framework, band framework, chorus frameworkmusic map, band map, chorus mapMusic 9-12 band framework, chorus framework band map, chorus map

Fine Arts Education Mission Statement

The mission of the Middletown Public Schools’ Fine Arts Department is to provide for all students a life-long appreciation of music and visual arts which enhances their educational, cultural, and personal lives. This purpose is accomplished through various creative opportunities and performances at all levels.

Fine Arts Philosophy Statement

In Middletown Public Schools, we believe the Fine Arts (Music and Visual Arts) Program will:

Establish clear expectations and hold students to high standards adhering to the Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations in the Arts, National Standards for Arts Education, Applied Learning Standards, and Student Learning Expectations.
Provide high quality instruction for students, using best practices, analysis of available data, and a variety of assessment strategies.
Differentiate instruction by varying content, process, and authentic products.
Integrate informational reading and writing (when applicable) throughout the curriculum.
Utilize technology to enhance student learning and support effective teaching.
Encourage students to become confident and effective communicators, problem solvers, and life-long learners.
Develop life-long appreciation of the arts and their contribution to everyday life.
Provide opportunities and resources to analyze the influence of culture, media, technology and other factors through recognizing the arts in everyday life.
Provide a safe and nurturing environment for creative experimentation and risk-taking.
Provide interdisciplinary connections/learning experiences.
Encourage students to become confident and effective advocates for the arts and active members of the arts community.
Encourage the school and community to adopt appropriate behaviors that would lead to an appreciation and support of the arts.
Provide opportunities, encouragement, and the competency to pursue life’s goals as informed contributors to a diverse and global society.
Support educator growth and professional development opportunities within the district, region, and national organizations.