"All Massachusetts students will develop artistic literacy through active participation in the arts, expressing creative ideas with skill, confidence, and artistic intent. A high-quality arts education empowers students to take artistic risks and supports the social emotional and learning needs of all students. Through practices related to creating, presenting or performing, responding, and connecting, students will understand the role of the arts in their individual lives and interests. While recognizing the intrinsic value of the arts, students will also discover the meaningful connections between the arts and other disciplines, and how the arts contribute to their communities and cultures around the world. As art students respond to great artists and works of art, they develop the ability to analyze artworks in terms of their formal qualities, historic style, social context, and artistic intent. The practice of responding to works of art builds perceptive acuity and aesthetic sensitivity. A rigorous progression of learning and engagement with the arts throughout Pre-K–12 education is the foundation for a rich, lifelong relationship with the arts." - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, August 2019
Interested in diving deep into what students are learning in their arts classes?
That painting your child brought home is beautiful, the musical was enthralling to watch and it's wonderful to see how much fun the students are having in their arts classes. Sometimes the processes and results of arts education are so enjoyable, we don't ever realize the depth and rigor of the learning. This is a good thing! Neuroscientists have taught us that dopamine is necessary for deep learning, for making connections and memory.
So, bring on the fun and let the learning commence!
This document details the guiding principals, artistic practices and content standards for students in MA. Within its pages, you'll discover the intricacies of what students are learning as they sing, play, dance and create: