Big Ideas

Big Ideas

The mind and body work together when creating works of art
the results of creative processes in disciplines such as dance, drama, music, and visual arts
.
Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.
Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
The arts
includes but is not limited to the four disciplines of dance, drama, music, and visual arts
connect our experiences to the experiences of others.

Content

Learning Standards

Content

elements in the arts, including but not limited to:

  • dance

    the elements of dance are universally present in all dance forms and grow in sophistication over time

    : body

    what the body is doing, including whole or partial body action, types of movement (locomotor and non-locomotor), etc.

    , space

    where the body is moving, including place, level, direction, pathway, size/reach, shape, etc.

    , dynamics (dance)

    how energy is expended and directed through the body in relation to time (quick/sustained), weight (strong/light), space (direct/indirect), and flow (free/bound)

    , time

    how the body moves in relation to time, including beat (underlying pulse), tempo, and rhythmic patterns

    , relationships

    with whom or what the body is moving; movement happens in a variety of relationship including pairs, groups, objects, and environments

    , form

    The shape or structure of a dance; the orderly arrangement of thematic material. For example: phrase, beginning, middle, end, ABA, canon, call and response, narrative, abstract

  • drama: character

    in drama, taking on and exploring the thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and beliefs of another

    , time, place, plot, tension
  • music

    The elements of music are universally present in all forms of vocal and instrumental music and grow in sophistication over time.

    : beat/pulse, duration

    the length of a sound or silence in relation to the beat (e.g., shorter, longer, equal)

    , rhythm (music)

    the arrangement of sounds and silences over time

    , tempo

    the frequency or speed of the beat

    , pitch

    how high or low a note is

    , timbre

    the characteristic quality of a sound independent of pitch and dynamics; tone colour

    , dynamics (music)

    the level of loudness, softness, or changing volume of music (e.g., louder, softer)

    , form

    The shape or structure of a dance; the orderly arrangement of thematic material. For example: phrase, beginning, middle, end, ABA, canon, call and response, narrative, abstract

      texture

    simultaneous layering of sounds (e.g., combining singing with other instruments, partner songs)

  • visual arts: elements of design: line, shape, space, texture, colour, form (visual arts)

    the visual element that pertains to an actual or implied three-dimensional shape of an image; visual art forms can be geometric (e.g., sphere, cube, pyramid) or organic (e.g., animal forms)

    ; principles of design

    the planned use of the visual elements to achieve a desired effect

    : pattern

    a design in which shapes, colours or lines repeat with regularity

    , repetition

    using the same object, colour, marking, or type of line more than once

    , rhythm (visual arts)

    the combination of pattern and movement to create a feeling of organized energy

    , contrast, emphasis
processes, materials, technologies

includes both manual and digital technologies (e.g., electronic media, production elements, information technology, sound equipment and recording technologies, etc.); in visual arts, any visual image-making technology (e.g., paintbrush, scissors, pencil, stamp) and includes the improvisational use of miscellaneous items.

, tools, and techniques to support arts activities
notation
any written, visual, or kinetic form of representing music compositions; for example, non-traditional invented notation can be used to represent sound, or traditional notation used to represent high/low pitches on a three-lined staff; in dance, this can include written formal and informal systems of symbols, shapes, and lines that represent body position and movement
to represent sounds, ideas, and movement
a variety of dramatic forms
a medium for the expression of dramatic meaning (e.g., improvisation, tableau, role-play, mime, readers theatre, story theatre); may involve the integration of a variety of media and a combination of the arts
image development strategies
processes that transform ideas and experiences into visual images (e.g., elaboration, repetition, and simplification.)
choreographic devices
ways of developing movement (e.g., change level, dynamics, time, size, repetition)
symbolism
use of an object, word, or action to represent an abstract idea; includes but is not limited to colours, images, movements, and sounds (e.g., the solar system can be represented through positive and negative space, sound exploration, or collaborative movement)
as ways of creating and representing meaning
traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts
dances, songs, stories, and objects created by Aboriginal peoples for use in daily life or to serve a purpose inspired by ceremonies as part of cultural tradition
and arts-making processes
a variety of local works of art
the results of creative processes in disciplines such as dance, drama, music, and visual arts
and artistic traditions from diverse cultures, communities, times, and places
personal and collective responsibility
ensuring the physical and emotional safety of self and others when engaging in the arts; being considerate of sensitive content, facilities, and materials
associated with creating, experiencing, or sharing
includes any form of presentation as outlined in the Connecting, Creating, Presenting, and Responding in Arts Education resource
in a safe learning environment

Curricular Competency

Learning Standards

Curricular Competency

Exploring and creating

Choose elements
characteristics of dance, drama, music, and visual art
, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques, and environments of the arts

Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual, using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play

learning that uses real-life and/or imaginary situations to engage and challenge learners’ thinking. Through planned purposeful play, students express their natural curiosity while exploring the world around them. It also provides a means for high-level reasoning and problem solving in a variety of ways. Learning can be performed collaboratively in both solo and ensemble contexts. 

Explore identity, place, culture, and belonging through arts experiences
Explore relationships among cultures, communities, and the arts

Reasoning and reflecting

Observe, listen, describe, inquire, and predict how artists
people who create works in any of the arts disciplines (e.g., dancers, actors, musicians, visual artists); also includes the students themselves
 (dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists) use processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, and techniques

Refine ideas, processes, and technical skills in a variety of art forms

mediums of creative or artistic expression, such as painting, sculpture, plays, improvisations, dances, songs, and performances in both/either solo and/or ensemble contexts. 

Reflect on creative processes
the means by which an artistic work (in dance, drama, music, or visual arts) is made; includes but is not limited to exploration, selection, combination, refinement, and reflection
 and make connections to personal experiences
Connect knowledge and skills from other areas of learning
in BC’s provincial curriculum program, the discipline-based fields of knowledge, such as Science, Arts Education and Social Studies; each area of learning contains a set of learning standards
 in planning, creating, and interpreting works for art

Communicating and documenting

Apply learned skills, understandings, and processes in new contexts
Interpret and communicate ideas using symbolism in the arts
Express feelings, ideas, and experiences in creative ways
Describe and respond to visual and performing art pieces and provide constructive feedback
Experience, document
activities that help students reflect on their learning (e.g., through drawing, painting, journaling, taking pictures, making video clips or audio-recordings, constructing new works, compiling a portfolio)
 and share
includes any form of presentation as outlined in the Connecting, Creating, Presenting, and Responding in Arts Education resource
 creative works in a variety of ways
Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated application and/or engagement of curricular content