Visual Arts Lesson Plans
An important goal of the standards is to help students make connections between concepts in all of the arts and across subject areas...The standards identify what all students in California public schools should know and be able to do at each grade level. Nevertheless, local flexibility is maintained with these standards. Topics may be introduced and taught at one or two grade levels before mastery is expected. Decisions about how best to teach the standards are left to teachers and to school district staff. Although the standards do not specify how the curriculum should be delivered, they do inspire the use of a variety of teaching strategies, both teacher-directed and student-centered. ...A thoughtful curriculum design provides students with alternative ways to perceive and experience the world. A standards-based arts education program provides a way by which all students can work at a personalized pace, develop self-expression and self-confidence, and experience a sense of accomplishment.
- "Introduction". Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools. California Department of Education. 2001.
pp. ix- xi.