How does this curriculum align with our school’s academic standards and goals?

Discover Your Inner Artist curriculum is fully standards-based and aligns with state and national visual arts standards. It also supports broader educational goals such as fostering critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional learning.

How will this curriculum integrate with other subjects and support cross-curricular learning?

The curriculum is designed to complement other subjects by reinforcing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and cultural awareness. Lessons can be integrated with themes from history, literature, and science, promoting a holistic educational experience. The last section of each lesson includes suggestions for cross-curricular connections. 

What support will teachers need to effectively implement this curriculum?

Teachers will benefit from professional development sessions that introduce the curriculum's philosophy, principles, and practical applications. Ongoing support and resources will also be available, including lesson plans, assessment guides, and materials lists on the website. Most importantly, teachers will need space to experiment with the curriculum to find their own style and rhythm. This won’t look the same in every class- and that’s ok! 

What can I do in my role to support teachers?

First, give yourself time to become familiar with the philosophy of the curriculum. As mentioned in the previous response, this curriculum will look, sound, and feel a little different based on each classroom’s community style. Some teachers will encourage boisterous experimentation and others may prefer quiet and reflective art time. Some classes may do both styles depending on the needs and moods of the day! The community variation is as welcome as the variety encouraged for student work. Build in time in staff meetings for teachers to connect and share what’s working in their classrooms and highlight successes wherever you see them. The best way to learn about the approach is to observe and talk to students while they are creating. We suggest reviewing the “How to Talk About Art” section for tips on how to engage in dialogue with young artists about their work!

How will this curriculum support teachers who may feel they lack the expertise to teach art?

Everyone can be an artist! The curriculum is designed for educators of all backgrounds and levels of expertise to facilitate the artists exploration of their students. The package includes detailed lesson plans and support materials that do not require prior art expertise and are written for novice and veteran teachers to gauge and assess the right level of lesson design for them. Professional development sessions will help build teacher confidence and skills, emphasizing the role of the teacher as a facilitator of the creative process.

How will we measure the success and impact of this curriculum on student learning?

The most important sign of success is student enthusiasm for creating new art! For academic outcomes, success will be measured through a combination of formative and summative assessments that focus on student growth, creativity, and engagement. Additionally, qualitative feedback from teachers, students, and parents will help gauge the curriculum's impact on classroom community and the social-emotional aspects of each class. 

How does this curriculum support differentiation and inclusivity in the classroom?

The curriculum is designed with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. This ensures that all students, regardless of their learning needs, can participate fully and benefit from the lessons.

What are the anticipated challenges in implementing this curriculum, and how can we address them?

Challenges may include ensuring teachers feel confident in delivering art instruction and managing materials (clean up, set up, and storage). These can be addressed through targeted professional development, clear guidelines, and ongoing support from our team.

How does this curriculum support the development of social-emotional skills in students?

The curriculum aligns with CASEL’s five core competencies for social-emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Art activities encourage reflection, empathy, communication, and collaboration.

What opportunities will there be for showcasing student artwork and engaging the school community?

We encourage schools to organize art exhibitions, community events, and displays of student work. These events celebrate student creativity, foster a sense of community, and highlight the importance of arts education.

What evidence is there that this curriculum will improve student outcomes?

Research supports the benefits of arts education in enhancing academic achievement, social-emotional development, and overall student well-being. Our pilot programs and feedback from previous implementations have shown positive outcomes in these areas.