Exploring tools and ideas
Students get their first hands-on time with cameras, tablets, microphones, and drawing apps. They play with the tools and start coming up with their own ideas for pictures, sounds, and short videos.
What does a student learn in
This is the year students discover that pictures, sounds, and videos are things they can make, not just watch. Students try out simple tools like a camera, a tablet drawing app, or a recorder to share an idea or a story. They talk about what they made and what they notice in shows and songs around them. By spring, students can use a device to capture a picture or sound and tell a grown-up what it means.
- Making media
- Using a camera
- Sharing stories
- Talking about shows
- Simple tech tools
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Making simple media projects
Students turn their ideas into real projects. They take photos, record sounds, or make short animations, then go back and change parts they want to fix.
- 3
Sharing work with others
Students pick a piece they want to show and share it with classmates or family. They practice presenting and talking about what their project means to them.
- 4
Looking at and talking about media
Students watch and listen to pictures, videos, and sounds made by others. They notice what they like, guess what the maker meant, and connect it to their own lives at home and in the community.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Pre-Kindergarten.
Connecting
Connecting
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Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art
Students draw or make things based on what they know and what has happened to them. A picture of a pet, a family memory, or a favorite place all count.
-
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural
Students look at pictures, songs, or artwork and talk about where they come from. A drawing from another country or a long time ago can tell a story about how people lived.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art | Students draw or make things based on what they know and what has happened to them. A picture of a pet, a family memory, or a favorite place all count. | MA:Cn10.pk |
| Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural | Students look at pictures, songs, or artwork and talk about where they come from. A drawing from another country or a long time ago can tell a story about how people lived. | MA:Cn11.pk |
Creating
Creating
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Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Students come up with ideas for their own creative projects, like drawing a picture, making a collage, or acting out a story.
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Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
Students pick materials and arrange them to make a media piece, like choosing photos or drawings to tell a simple story.
-
Refine and complete artistic work
Students pick a media arts project they have started and finish it, making small fixes along the way until it looks or sounds the way they want.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work | Students come up with ideas for their own creative projects, like drawing a picture, making a collage, or acting out a story. | MA:Cr1.pk |
| Organize and develop artistic ideas and work | Students pick materials and arrange them to make a media piece, like choosing photos or drawings to tell a simple story. | MA:Cr2.pk |
| Refine and complete artistic work | Students pick a media arts project they have started and finish it, making small fixes along the way until it looks or sounds the way they want. | MA:Cr3.pk |
Performing/Presenting/Producing
Performing/Presenting/Producing
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Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation
Students choose which drawings, photos, or projects to share with others. They start to explain why they picked what they did.
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Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation
Students practice a media art project, like a drawing or photo, more than once to make it better before sharing it with others.
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Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work
Students share a drawing, song, or story they made and explain what it means to them.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation | Students choose which drawings, photos, or projects to share with others. They start to explain why they picked what they did. | MA:Pr4.pk |
| Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation | Students practice a media art project, like a drawing or photo, more than once to make it better before sharing it with others. | MA:Pr5.pk |
| Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work | Students share a drawing, song, or story they made and explain what it means to them. | MA:Pr6.pk |
Responding
Responding
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Perceive and analyze artistic work
Students look closely at images, videos, or sounds made with technology and talk about what they notice.
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Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Students look at photos, drawings, or videos and say what they think the artist was trying to show. Early practice at finding meaning in what they see.
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Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work
Students look at a drawing or song and say what they like about it and why. They start learning to explain what makes something good.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Perceive and analyze artistic work | Students look closely at images, videos, or sounds made with technology and talk about what they notice. | MA:Re7.pk |
| Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work | Students look at photos, drawings, or videos and say what they think the artist was trying to show. Early practice at finding meaning in what they see. | MA:Re8.pk |
| Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work | Students look at a drawing or song and say what they like about it and why. They start learning to explain what makes something good. | MA:Re9.pk |