 Fine
Arts
The Illinois Learning Standards for Fine Arts were
developed using the National Standards for Arts Education,
1985 State Goals for Fine Arts, various other national and
state resources, and local standards contributed by team members.
Throughout time, the arts have been essential to human existence.
When people create in sounds, images, gestures and words,
they discover ways to shape and share their thoughts and feelings
with others. The arts enrich the quality of life. All students
deserve access to the arts through creation, performance and
study.
Young children "respond to gestures and movement before
they react to the spoken word. They understand and explore
sound before they learn to speak. They draw pictures before
they form letters. They dance and act out stories before they
learn to read" (Fowler, 1984). The fine arts—dance,
drama, music, and visual arts—are fundamental ways of
knowing and thinking. In addition to their intrinsic value,
the arts contribute to children's development. Recent research
shows that study in music improves test scores in spatial
temporal reasoning in young children (Rauscher, 1997).
Works of art are some of the highest achievements of civilization.
In school, students learn the language of the arts and how
to interpret visual images, sounds, movement and story. Because
the arts are both universal and culturally specific, they
are a powerful means of increasing international and intercultural
awareness. Through the arts, students gain a greater understanding
of their own cultural heritage, as well as a sense of the
larger world community.
The Illinois Learning Standards in the Fine Arts address
the language of the fine arts, sensory elements, organizational
principles and expressive qualities and how the arts are similar,
different or related to each other. Students also learn about
production and performance in the arts and the role of the
arts in civilization. When students study the arts they become
informed audience members and informed consumers of the popular
culture including electronic media. The standards in fine
arts define a comprehensive arts education and reflect a commitment
to a quality education for every Illinois school child.
Applications of Learning
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and
deepen their understanding of basic knowledge and skills.
These applied learning skills cross academic disciplines and
reinforce the important learning of the disciplines. The ability
to use these skills will greatly influence students' success
in school, in the workplace and in the community.
Solving Problems
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose
solutions supported by reason and evidence.
Problem solving is integral to the arts—providing students
the opportunity to innovate and seek original solutions to
open-ended problems. Multiple solutions are constructed using
various sensory modes, traditional and electronic media and
tools, and individual and group experiences. Students learn
the relationships between processes and end products; they
learn to communicate ideas, themes and meaning through solving
problems in their art work.
Communicating
Express and interpret information and ideas.
The arts are forms of communication extending beyond reading,
writing, listening and speaking. Communicating in the fine
arts means learning to translate ideas through dance, drama,
music and visual arts. Students also participate in the communication
process as receivers– observing, analyzing, evaluating,
critiquing and interacting.
Using Technology
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers
and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate
results.
Computers, synthesizers, film and video provide opportunities
to create and record sound composition, animated images, montages
and other works. These experiences can lead to careers in
areas such as music, graphic arts, video and film production,
scene design and choreography. Technology (CD-ROM, slides,
film, video, laserdisk, on-line services) also can link the
classroom with the work of renowned artists and performers.
Working on Teams
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members
of groups.
Individual creativity and inspiration are at the heart of
the arts, but so are collaboration and group dynamics. Teamwork
activities include planning dramatic scenes, developing choreography,
creating group murals and performing music in ensembles. These
activities give students experience in communicating ideas,
considering the ideas of others and reaching consensus.
Making Connections
Recognize and apply connections of important information
and ideas within and among learning areas.
Through the arts, students observe how dance, drama, music
and visual art reflect history, society and everyday life.
They see links between the individual and society in the creation
and understanding of works of art. The arts relate to and
reinforce other learning areas—for example, dance and
the language arts (action relating to words and poetry), drama
and social science (theatre conveying history and culture),
music and mathematics (note duration expressed in fractions),
and visual arts and science (color influencing the thermodynamics).
Goals
Goal 25 - Language of the Arts  
Goal 26 - Creating and Performing
Goal 27 - Arts and Civilization
|
