National Core Arts Standards
Class
Transform NCAS from overwhelming to actionable with grade-specific resources you can use Monday morning.
Objectives and Assessment
Free | 60 minutes
Summary
The National Core Arts Standards can feel overwhelming when you're balancing them with established teaching methods and classroom realities. This course breaks down NCAS into manageable, grade-specific resources you can implement immediately. Through curated videos, Music ConstructED articles, and Dr. Erin Zaffini's comprehensive downloadable guides (PreK-8), you'll discover the truth: you're already meeting many standards. Your challenge isn't transforming your teaching—it's recognizing and documenting the excellent work you're already doing.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- Navigate and decode NCAS codes to find relevant standards for your grade levels
- Identify which artistic processes (Creating, Performing, Responding, Connecting) are present in your current teaching
- Translate NCAS performance standards into student-friendly "I can" statements
- Implement centers/stations approach for authentic assessment during music-making
- Apply the "Super Star Standards" framework to prioritize high-impact learning targets
- Document how one song addresses multiple standards across all four processes
- Create a personal NCAS implementation action plan for your specific teaching context
Here is the class outline:
Understanding the NCAS FrameworkIn Module 1, you will explore the four artistic processes: Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. You'll learn to interpret NCAS standard codes, recognize the structure of the standards, and navigate the official standards database. Translating these standards into student-friendly "I can" statements can enhance your teaching effectiveness, and you may already be incorporating many of these standards in your current practices. 6 sections
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Grade-Level Standards Breakdown (PreK-2)In Module 2, you'll access four PDF guides for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st and 2nd grades, focusing on developmental progressions in early elementary education. The module includes strategies from Steve Johnson on integrated standards teaching, video examples from real classrooms, and assessment approaches for each grade level. 6 sections
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Grade-Level Standards Breakdown (3-6)In Module 3, you will explore key music education standards for 3rd and 4th grades, emphasizing musical independence, and for 5th and 6th grades, preparing students for secondary music or lifelong engagement. The module includes strategies for authentic assessment in large classes, the Super Star Standards framework for prioritization, and "I Can" statements to make learning visible. It also highlights implementation principles focusing on integration and student ownership, offering a concise approach to teaching music effectively. 6 sections
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Implementation, Resources & Next StepsIn Module 4, you will create a personal NCAS implementation action plan, identify specific priority areas for growth, connect with a comprehensive resource library, build an ongoing learning plan (immediate, short-term, long-term), and complete a final assessment demonstrating mastery. 5 sections
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Completion
The following certificates are awarded when the class is completed:
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Music ConstructED 60-minute PD Certificate of Completion |
