The+Arts+-+Visual+Art,+Music,+Dance,+Drama

Curriculum Policy – The Arts
__ Adopted by BoT 24 November 2005 __ __ Reviewed on a 4-yearly cycle – last review November 2015 __

= Rationale = Learning in the arts stimulates imagination, thinking and an understanding of diverse art forms from both within and beyond New Zealand. It encourages a life long interest in the arts. The arts disciplines of dance, drama, music and the visual arts provide our students with opportunities to develop and express ideas through the making and presenting of art works. They enable our students to become critically aware of and respond to their own and others’ work. = Purpose = At Sunnybrae Normal School students will have opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and understandings outlined in the achievement objectives of each strand, in each arts discipline. Students will develop positive and confident attitudes toward the arts and gain a range of knowledge and skills, enabling them to value and appreciate the arts in their lives. = Guidelines = > > > > >
 * 1)  The New Zealand Curriculum document is the guiding document for planning in the arts – (refer to Pages 20 – 21). Achievement objectives in each strand describe what students should be able to do after appropriate learning experiences. At Sunnybrae Normal School we will provide learning experiences that aim to meet the achievement objectives of each discipline to Level 3. It is important to note that students can achieve at different levels in different strands within a unit of work.
 * 1)  Learning must build on previous learning experiences. Opportunities need to be made to revisit, make connections with and build on existing skills, knowledge, attitudes and understanding.
 * 1)  Learning within each discipline will be approached through the four interrelated learning strands i.e. 1. Understanding the Arts in Context, 2. Developing Practical Knowledge, 3. Developing Ideas and 4. Communicating and Interpreting.
 * 1)  Planning and assessment must be specific for each discipline, however, the arts can work in collaboration with each other or be integrated with other curriculum areas to enhance and extend learning experiences.
 * 1)  Overviews and organisational guidelines will be in place for each discipline, Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama

The School will meet the needs of the students by: > > > > > >
 * Using and reflecting on students’ prior knowledge and experiences of the arts to inform planning, teaching and assessing through authentic and contextual learning experiences.
 * Fostering an expectation of success in the children and encouraging them to meet their full potential through both informal and larger scale exhibition and performance.
 * Using a range of teaching and learning approaches to motivate and inspire students.
 * Developing challenging programmes which reflect the curriculum by revisiting and building on existing skills, knowledge and understandings.
 * Enriching the arts programme by reaching out into the community to access other artists and performance groups.
 * Offering a range of extra curricular opportunities in the arts i.e. choirs, dance and drama groups, instrumental, recorder, uke and after school art classes.

Students’ learning in the arts will expand the ways in which they can express ideas, feelings and beliefs and understand those of others. They will develop literacies in the arts as they study and have opportunities to meet achievement objectives in all four disciplines.
 * Conclusion **