The High School Arts Specialization Curriculum Document was created as an instructional tool to assist teachers with the sequence and pacing of instruction for students who are specializing in music. It reflects the most recent changes in the Program of Studies and the Music Core Content for Assessment, as well as the new high school graduation requirements as identified in Section 2, Item 7 of the February 1, 2006 amendment to 704 KAR 3:305:

“ History and appreciation of visual and performing arts (or another arts course which incorporates this content) - one (1) credit to include the content strands of arts, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, or a standards-based specialized arts course based on the student’s individual learning plan.”

While students may choose to specialize in one of the arts, currently, they will still be responsible for understanding and acquiring the skills and concepts in the other three arts, and they will be tested on all four arts on the KCCT. This curriculum document acts as a guide for music teachers who must incorporate instruction in all four of the arts to meet the needs of the students who specialize in music. Consistent use of this guide will help to ensure that students taking music performance classes will be prepared for written and performance assessments in all four arts (Music, Visual, Dance and Drama).

This curriculum document is organized by the five “Big Ideas” as used in the Arts and Humanities Program of Studies and Core Content for Assessment. Resources with Examples, Topics and Student Activities for Music, Visual Art, Dance and Drama are included. This document can be used as a resource to assist teachers in planning instruction. The content is intended to be integrated into the performance class over a 3- year period. Students must be in the performance class for 3 years to receive the arts content needed to be prepared for the grade 11 assessment.

You will also find a chart that provides a suggested amount of instructional time needed to cover specific topics. The suggested instructional time is based on 90, 70 and 50 minute class periods.

Please note: this document could also be useful to schools that are not doing the arts specialization but would like to embed the material into their performing arts classes in order to satisfy students' arts and humanities requirements.

This document is a living and breathing document. Therefore, your input and suggestions are needed and wanted. Please send comments and suggestions to Pam Fleitz, pam.fleitz@jefferson.kyschools.us.