Fine Arts Curriculum

Art

Kindergarten Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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1st Grade Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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2nd Grade Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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3rd Grade Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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4th Grade Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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5th Grade Visual Arts

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a visual arts class taught by a certified art educator. The class introduces age-appropriate art fundamentals through the elements and principles of art. Students are exposed to and experience hands-on learning while exploring various techniques and materials. Through the artistic process, students are encouraged to think creatively, use materials responsibly, use problem-solving skills, communicate visually, persevere through artistic problems, and create like an artist.

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Elementary RISE Art
(Kindergarten/1st Grade)

Course Description: A modified art curriculum for students enrolled in the elementary school RISE education program. With lessons tailored to specific learning needs, students will have the opportunity to create, collaborate, connect and think critically in their weekly art class.

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Elementary RISE Art
(2nd/3rd Grade)

Course Description: A modified art curriculum for students enrolled in the elementary school RISE education program. With lessons tailored to specific learning needs, students will have the opportunity to create, collaborate, connect and think critically in their weekly art class.

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Elementary RISE Art
(4th/5th Grade)

Course Description: A modified art curriculum for students enrolled in the elementary school RISE education program. With lessons tailored to specific learning needs, students will have the opportunity to create, collaborate, connect and think critically in their weekly art class.

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Music

Kindergarten

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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1st Grade

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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2nd Grade

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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3rd Grade

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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4th Grade

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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4th Grade Orchestra

The orchestra classes are open to students who desire to learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will receive guidance in techniques for proper tone production, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at different levels. Orchestra is also a class designed to help build self-esteem (achievement), cooperation (playing in an ensemble), and life skills (practice, study, commitment) through the process of learning to play an instrument. Orchestra also affords the students the opportunity to participate in concerts, All-State Orchestra, festivals, solo/ensemble contest, field trips, and travel opportunities.

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5th Grade

In kindergarten through fifth grade all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. Contained within their K-5 education, students experience a live performance by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, an introduction to playing recorder, a drumming ensemble, and two choral performances presented in second grade and fifth grade.

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5th Grade Orchestra

The orchestra classes are open to students who desire to learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will receive guidance in techniques for proper tone production, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at different levels. Orchestra is also a class designed to help build self-esteem (achievement), cooperation (playing in an ensemble), and life skills (practice, study, commitment) through the process of learning to play an instrument. Orchestra also affords the students the opportunity to participate in concerts, All-State Orchestra, festivals, solo/ensemble contest, field trips, and travel opportunities.

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5th Grade Band

Band is an elective music activity which offers students the opportunities and experiences to develop their musical knowledge, skills and attitudes according to their individual desires, needs and abilities. Students will have a minimum of two concerts per year.

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Elementary RISE Music Level 1 
(Kindergarten/1st Grade)

In kindergarten through fifth grade, all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals, including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. 

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Elementary RISE Music Level 2 
(2nd/3rd Grade)

In kindergarten through fifth grade, all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. 

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Elementary RISE Music Level 3 
(4th/5th Grade)

In kindergarten through fifth grade, all students participate in general music class taught by a certified music educator.  The class introduces age-appropriate music fundamentals, including beat, rhythm, melody, expressions, pitch, form, and composition. Musical goals are attained through singing, performing on instruments, connecting, responding and creating through various music philosophies. 

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South Dakota Content Standards

South Dakota Content Standards serve as expectations for what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade. The review, revision, development, and feedback process involves stakeholders throughout the state of South Dakota and is an ongoing and critical component to ensure South Dakota students in every classroom receive current and relevant learning experiences. The goal is that all students will graduate college, career, and life ready.

The South Dakota Content Standards focus on deep thinking, conceptual understanding, real-world problem-solving skills, set expectations for students to be College, Career, and Life ready, and increase rigor and grade-level expectations.

The South Dakota Content Standards DO NOT mandate a specific curriculum or limit advanced work beyond the standards. The South Dakota Content Standards were neither written nor funded by the Federal Government. South Dakota educators and content specialists participated in the review, revision, development, and feedback process.