Virginia State Standards for Arts Education: Grade 8
VA.D.DM. Dance (Middle School Exploratory Dance Arts)
D1.DM. Performance and Production
D1.DM.3. The student will develop dance technique skills and movement vocabulary through replication.
D1.DM.4. The student will perform short movement sequences that employ specific space, shape, time, rhythm, energy, and effort requirements.
D1.DM.7. The student will create and perform short choreographic studies that manipulate the elements of space, shape, time, rhythm, energy, and effort.
D1.DM.8. The student will collaboratively create and perform short choreographic studies that use simple compositional forms, including unison, theme and variation, and canon.
D1.DM.9. The student will rehearse choreographed dances and execute those dances in performance.
D1.DM.11. The student will participate in production activities for dance performance (e.g., publicity, running crew, costume care, strike and clean-up).
D2.DM. Cultural Context and Dance History
D2.DM.12. The student will identify similarities and differences in dance styles from various cultures and historical periods.
D2.DM.13. The student will research the role of social and folk dance forms in American history.
D2.DM.16. The student will identify various dance professions.
D3.DM. Judgment and Criticism
D3.DM.17. The student will describe in oral and written form personal work and the work of others in choreography and performance, using appropriate dance arts vocabulary and terminology.
D3.DM.18. The student will view live and recorded dance performances and describe the similarities and differences in composition and style, using oral and written responses.
VA.M.MS. General Music
M1.MS. Performance and Production
M1.MS.4. The student will create music through a variety of experiences.
M1.MS.4.4. Create arrangements of known melodies, using traditional or nontraditional sound sources, including computer-related technology.
VA.M.IB. Instrumental Music (Beginning Level)
M1.IB. Performance and Production
M1.IB.1. The student will demonstrate proper posture, embouchure, hand position, and playing position.
M1.IB.6. The student will perform one-octave major scales, ascending and descending.
M1.IB.6.1. Play F, B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat one-octave scales on wind and mallet instruments.
M1.IB.6.2. Play D, G, C, and F one-octave scales on stringed instruments.
M1.IB.7. The percussion student will perform multiple bounce roll, five stroke roll, nine stroke roll, flam, single paradiddle, and drag from the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Drum Rudiments, open-close-open.
M1.IB.8. The wind/mallet student will perform a one-octave chromatic scale, ascending and descending.
VA.M.II. Instrumental Music (Intermediate Level)
M1.II. Performance and Production
M1.II.1. The student will demonstrate proper posture, embouchure, hand position, and playing position.
M1.II.5. The student will demonstrate a variety of articulations or bowings.
M1.II.5.2. Play staccato, brush stroke, hooked bowings, martele, marcato, tremolo, and multiple-note slurs on stringed instruments.
M1.II.6. The student will perform major scales, ascending and descending, in eighth notes (M.M. quarter note = 72).
M1.II.6.1. Play D, G, C, F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, and D-flat one-octave scales on wind and mallet instruments.
M1.II.6.2. Play C, G, D, A, B-flat, and A-flat two-octave scales on violin.
M1.II.6.3. Play C, G, D, E, F, and E-flat two-octave scales on viola or cello.
M1.II.6.4. Play C, G, D, A, E, F, B-flat, and A-flat one-octave scales on string bass.
IM1.II.7. The percussion student will perform multiple bounce roll, five stroke roll, nine stroke roll, flam, single paradiddle, drag, drag paradiddle, flam accent, flam tap, flamacue, single drag tap, double drag tap, and lesson 25 from the Percussive Arts Society
M1.II.8. The wind/mallet student will perform a chromatic scale, ascending and descending, in eighth notes (M.M. quarter note = 72).
M1.II.9. The student will use dynamic contrast and technical skills as means of expression.
M1.II.9.1. Use vibrato, alternate fingerings, trills, and grace notes when performing on wind instruments.
M1.II.9.2. Use multiple mallets technique on two timpani, and techniques on auxiliary instruments when performing on percussion instruments.
M1.II.9.3. Use shifting (violin or viola-up to third position; cello or bass-up to fourth position), alternate fingerings, and vibrato when performing on stringed instruments.
M2.II. Cultural Context and Music Theory
M2.II.17. The student will embellish four to eight measures of a folk song by creating rhythmic and melodic variations.
VA.M.IAD. Instrumental Music (Advanced Level)
M1.IAD. Performance and Production
M1.IAD.5. The student will demonstrate a variety of articulations or bowings.
M1.IAD.5.2. Use spiccato, sforzando, loure, and flautando on stringed instruments.
M1.IAD.6. The student will perform all major scales and selected melodic minor scales with one-octave tonic arpeggios, ascending and descending, in eighth notes (M.M. quarter note = 72).
M1.IAD.6.1. Play e, a, d, g, c, f, b-flat, and e-flat melodic minor scales and one-octave tonic arpeggios on wind and mallet instruments.
M1.IAD.6.2. Play g, a, b-flat, and c three-octave melodic minor scales and one-octave tonic arpeggios on violin.
M1.IAD.6.3. Play c and d three-octave melodic minor scales and one-octave tonic arpeggios on viola or cello.
M1.IAD.6.4. Play e, f, and g two-octave melodic minor scales and one-octave tonic arpeggios on string bass.
M1.IAD.7. The percussion student will perform the 40 Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Drum Rudiments, open-close-open.
M1.IAD.9. The student will use dynamic contrast and technical skills as a means of expression.
M1.IAD.9.1. Use vibrato, alternate fingerings, trills, and grace notes when performing on wind instruments.
M1.IAD.9.2. Use three-mallet technique when performing on mallet percussion.
M1.IAD.9.3. Use multiple percussion techniques when performing on auxiliary percussion instruments.
M1.IAD.9.4. Use timpani technique on three or four drums, tuning drums to reference pitches and making changes during performance of an instrumental work.
M1.IAD.9.5. Use shifting (violin or viola-up to fifth position; cello or bass-up to thumb position), alternate fingerings, and vibrato when performing on stringed instruments.
VA.M.IAR. Instrumental Music (Artist Level)
M1.IAR. Performance and Production
M1.IAR.5. The student will perform all articulations or bowings indicated in materials being studied.
M1.IAR.7. The percussion student will perform the 40 Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Drum Rudiments, open-close-open.
M1.IAR.8. The wind/mallet student will perform a chromatic scale, ascending and descending, in sixteenth notes (M.M. quarter note = 96) throughout the practical range of the instrument.
M1.IAR.9. The student will use dynamic contrast and technical skills as means of expression.
M1.IAR.9.1. Use embellishments, extreme tessitura, and a variety of timbre effects when performing on wind instruments.
M1.IAR.9.2. Use four-mallet technique when performing on mallet percussion.
M1.IAR.9.3. Use multiple percussion techniques when performing on auxiliary percussion instruments.
M1.IAR.9.4. Use timpani technique on four or more drums, tuning all drums in reference to a single pitch and making changes during performance of a piece, using intervallic pitches.
M1.IAR.9.5. Use shifting (violin or viola-5th position and higher; cello or bass-thumb position and higher), varying speeds of vibrato, harmonics, and a variety of timbre effects when performing on stringed instruments.
M1.IAR.15. The student will improvise a melody to a 12-bar blues progression.
VA.M.CAR. Vocal/Choral Music (Artist Level)
M2.CAR. Cultural Context and Music Theory
M2.CAR.10. The student will create through improvising, composing, and arranging.
M2.CAR.10.4. Create an arrangement to a given melody.
VA.T.M. Theater (Middle School Exploratory Dramatics)
TI.M. Performance and Production
T1.M.3. The student will demonstrate acting skills by
T1.M.3.1. Vocal production-projection and articulation;
T2.M. Cultural Context and Theatre History
T2.M.7. The student will demonstrate an awareness of a variety of historical and cultural concepts, using dramatic activities.
VA.TI. Theatre Arts I (Introduction to Theatre)
T1.TI. Performance and Production
T1.TI.3. The student will apply the creative process to the skills of storytelling, acting, and playwriting by:
T1.TI.3.1. Using an acting vocabulary that includes terminology for blocking and character development;
T1.TI.4. The student will understand and apply principles of technical theatre by
T1.TI.4.3. Identifying the responsibilities of technical personnel, including designers, builders, and operators;
T1.TI.4.5. Practicing ethical use of available technology and resources.
T2.TI Cultural Context and Theatre History
T2.TI.8. The student will reflect on life in historical times, places, and cultures by
T2.TI.8.1. Researching and applying cultural and historical information to artistic choices;
T2.TI.8.3. Demonstrating knowledge of theatrical institutions and opportunities available in the community and the commonwealth.
T3.TI Judgment and Criticism
T3.TI.9. The student will give and integrate constructive criticism by
T3.TI.9.1. Developing and using appropriate theatre arts vocabulary;
T3.TI.11. The student will view and analyze live performances and make informed responses by
T3.TI.11.1. Identifying the elements of production-directing, design, and acting;
VA.TII. Theatre Arts II (Dramatic Literature and Theatre History)
T1.TII. Performance and Production
T1.TII.3. The student will apply the creative process to the skills of storytelling, acting, and playwriting by:
T1.TII.3.2. Making vocal and physical choices that represent characterization, conflict, and production style;
T1.TII.5. The student will apply principles of directing by
T1.TII.5.3. Communicating directorial choices, including pacing, mood, concept, and style;
T1.TII.5.5. Evaluating choices made in the directorial process.
T1.TII.6. The student will explore and demonstrate skills and principles of technical theatre by
T1.TII.6.2. Applying the components, functions, and operations of technical theatre elements, including lighting, scenery, costuming, makeup, properties, and sound;
T1.TII.8. The student will demonstrate skill in communicating concepts and information through the study of theatre arts by
T1.TII.8.1. Generating a variety of theatre experiences, using various resources, media materials, and available technology; and
T1.TII.8.2. Researching current theatrical institutions and opportunities available in the community, commonwealth, and world.
T2.TII. Cultural Context and Theatre History
T2.TII.9. The student will identify major stylistic movements and connections to historical periods, including classical, Renaissance, Elizabethan, modern, and contemporary, by
T2.TII.9.2. Identifying, researching, and analyzing symbolism and cultural and historical clues in dramatic texts; and
T2.TII.9.3. Researching and describing historical production designs, techniques, and performances from various cultures.
T2.TII.10. The student will trace the development of technical theatre by
T2.TII.10.1. Explaining the effects of technological advances on theatre; and
T2.TII.10.2. Analyzing a variety of dramatic texts to determine their production requirements by referencing historical and cultural contexts.
T2.TII.11. The student will describe how theatre is similar to and different from other art forms, other fields of knowledge, and literary genres by
T2.TII.11.1. Identifying characteristics and comparing the presentation of characters, environments, and actions in theatre and other art forms;
VA.TIII. Theatre Arts III (Intermediate Acting and Playwriting)
T1.TIII. Performance and Production
T1.TIII.2. The student will exhibit independence, discipline, and commitment to the theatre process through work on assigned projects and productions.
T1.TIII.5. The student will investigate basic film/video production, including camera techniques, appropriate terminology, screenplays, acting for the camera, and the editing process.
T1.TIII.6. The student will explore playwriting by writing monologues, dialogues, scenes, and short plays that
T1.TIII.6.1. Exhibit unique character voices;
T1.TIII.7. The student will demonstrate the principles of design by
T1.TIII.7.4. Rendering lighting plots and costume plates for a stage or film/video;
VA.V. Visual Arts
V1. Visual Communication and Production
V1.8.1. The student will create works of art that emphasize specific formal color relationships.
V1.8.2. The student will further expand and develop the use of the elements of art and the principles of design.
V1.8.3. The student will use aerial perspective to create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional drawing.
V1.8.4. The student will use multiple-point perspective to create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional drawing.
V1.8.5. The student will use line to create value in a work of art.
V1.8.7. The student will identify and analyze the uses of typography in graphic arts.
V1.8.11. The student will provide evidence of the critical and artistic processes used to achieve final art solutions in personal works of art by documenting preparation, rough drafts, and final solutions.
V2. Cultural Context and Art History
V2.8.14. The student will describe and place a variety of works in historical and cultural contexts.
V3. Judgment and Criticism
V3.8.17. The student will investigate and discuss the use of social, cultural, and historical context as they contribute to meaning in a work of art.