VPA Curriculum
In 2022-23, Elementary and Middle School visual arts teachers worked together with consultant Cindy Parsons of the Connecticut Art Education Association to revamp the visual arts curriculum, to be rolled out in 2023-24.. The music curriculum was already up-to-date, and was formulated with Rick Sadlon, Executive Director of the Connecticut Arts Administrators Association. See the "district news" page for a podcast with more details.
Art education has changed significantly in the past several decades. Just as you may say "that's not how I learned math," the same could be said of the new approach to visual art and music instruction. The emphasis is on giving students the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their creative goals, as well as understand the greater historical or cultural context. This is called "Voice and Choice." Students begin with fundamental concepts, then build on these to create fluency, creativity, and literacy, with a focus on the ability to envision their own ideas. This provides students with the knoweldge they need to think outside of the box. In visual art, they are provided with the skills and critical thinking needed to solve visual problems in our increasingly image-based society. There is also increased focus on uses of digital creative tools, in keeping with 21st century developments in 2D and 3D technologies for drawing, drafting, illustration, video editing, and photographic manipulation. In music, they gain competency in performance and composition, and theory, with the addition of digital music tools as well. These skills inform their approach in other subject areas and enhances expansive and critical thinking.
Materials and instruments are of course still the material basis of visual art and music, and will be introduced as appropriate to various concepts, children's developmental level, and the lesson plan at hand. The curriculum has been revamped to incorporate these changes, creating pathways for success for students from K-12. To dive into the details, please read below.
For a deeper understanding and background on the work that has been done, see the April 3, 2023 Board of Education Curriculum Committee meeting. For detailed curriculum plans, see the RPS curriculum page. A brief overview is below. Coming soon: a video showing a "day in the life" of an RPS VPA student!
ELEMENTARY
In K-2 visual art class, students learn about line, color, texture, shape, form, pattern, light, shadow, composition (balance/symmetry), innovation. They begin to learn to share their work with peers and understand how art connects to culture and personal experiences. In K-2 music, they learn about beat, pitch, melodic contour, tempo, tonality, meter, dynamics, improvisation, expressiveness, and response to music through movement, drawing, and notation. They build toward learning cooperative musical performance and learn how music connects to culture and personal experiences.
In 3-5 visual art class, students work on deepening their understanding of concepts learned in K-2, adding more sophisticated ideas such as abstraction, space/depth, illusion, layering, proportion, movement, symbolism, and design. They also learn how art is a reflection of culture, the different genres of art, and learning how to safely work with more advanced materials, such as clay. In 3-5 music, students deepen their understanding of music concepts learned in K-2, adding more sophisticated ideas such as ostinato, phrasing, accompaniment, form and harmony. They also begin to create their own music, share it with peers, respond to others' performances, and self-critique their own performance. They work on performing with expression and accuracy, and demonstrate decorum and etiquette in formal performances. Students have the opportunity to begin individual string instrument instruction in 4th grade and band instruments (wind, horns, percussion) in 5th grade. They perform chorus, orchestra, and band in a formal concert for parents.
A theater/musical production is now an assured experience for all 5th grade students (see "assured experiences" link above)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
All 6-8 students take a visual arts course for half of the year. In 6th grade, students focus on reinforcing the concepts and skills learned in elementary school, with specific units on drawing, color theory, and 2D and 3D design. In 7th grade, students work on more advanced drawing concepts, including gesture drawing, contour line drawing, and blind drawing. They learn art history and study perspective. They also work with 3D design, including clay, found materials, and papier mache. Computer graphics are introduced as well using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. A critique is built into each unit. In 8th grade, students explore creating a personal voice, understanding theme and concepts that inform various approaches to execution, and responding to a prompt. They also explore graphic design concepts through printmaking and computer graphics. Critiques are essential within each unit.
For 6-8 music, students are given the option of Band, Orchestra, Chorus, or Music Elements courses. A pathway is chosen in 6th grade. In Band, Orchestra, and Chorus, students deepen their mastery of their chosen instrument from 4th or 5th grade. These courses involve collaborative group settings where students learn to play musical instruments together, instilling values of teamwork, communication, and discipline. Performances are held twice a year. The Music Elements course provides a broader understanding of musical concepts learned in K-5, encompassing music theory, history, and rudimentary instrumental skills.
Extracurricular VPA Options
Some of these are open to all and other require tryouts. Learn more at the links for SRMS Extracurriculars and ERMS Extracurriculars.
Performing arts: Musical Production (Theater), the Morning Show, the Variety Show (SRMS only)
Visual arts: *new* Art Club (SRMS has started already, ERMS will begin in Spring of 2024); Ouside the Lines (ERMS only)
Music: Chamber Orchestra, Chamber singers, Jazz Band, Orchestral String Sectionals, Symphonic Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble
HIGH SCHOOL
Follow this link for a full overview of the VPA department at RHS. Beginning with the class of 2028, students will be required to take at least .5 credit in VPA. The RHS theater will be undergoing a facelift and upgrade soon, details to be discussed at the November 27, 2023 Board of Education meeting.
New visual arts courses are being added with an eye to the STEM/Humanities requirement, such as Innovation STREAM, Web Design, and Graphic Design. Visual arts pathways are in place for various fine art courses of study for those who wish to focus more intently on developing their visual arts skills.
Watch a short video on performing arts pathways. The RHS Theater department holds two productions per year and has a parent advocacy group.
The RHS Music department has a complex and robust program, music pathways, and a deeply involved parent advocacy group, Ridgefield Music Parents.
RHS VPA Student Life/Clubs
Art & Media Club, Chamber Orchestra, The Company (theater), The Crafting Corner, Lodestar (literary/arts magazine), The Madrigals (chorus), Pep Band, RHS Yearbook, Tiger TV. Learn more here.