OSPI-Developed Performance Assessments for the Arts

Performance Strategies

Dance

Elementary

• Poetry in Motion (2018) Students are asked to create a short dance based on the ideas, feelings, and images of a poem.
• Dancing Art (2018) Students are asked to choreograph and perform a dance based on one of two works of arts (visual).
• Wild Wonderful Weather (2015) Students are asked to choreograph and perform a dance based on the qualities of weather.
• Shape It Up (2018) Students are asked to choreograph and perform a dance based on a geometric shape.
• Dancing Differences (2018) Students are asked to describe the ways that two dances from different cultures are similar and different.

Middle School

• Moving Poetry (2018) Students are asked to create a short dance based on the ideas, feelings, and images of a poem.
• Moving Masterpieces (2018) Students are asked to choreograph a solo dance based on one of two works of visual art, using no words.
• Start Right! (2015) Students are asked to create a warm-up focused on alignment.
• Choreograph a Commercial (2015) Students are asked to choreograph a solo dance that advertises a product.
• Dance Critic (2018) Students are asked to view a dance video and analyze the ideas or feelings expressed in the piece.
• Dance Expert (2015) Students are asked to view a dance video and write a description of the dance.

High School

• Poetry in Performance (2018) Students are asked to translate their understanding of a poem into a dance.
• Art in Action (2018) Students are asked to choreograph a solo dance based on a work of visual art.
• The Audition (2018) Students are asked to memorize a short dance and create, perform, and respond about a variation based on the memorized dance.
• Moving Toward Alignment (2018) Students are asked to create warm-up sequences to develop alignment and flexibility in two different styles of dance or activities.
• World Dance Cultures (2018) Students are asked to watch videos of dances from two different cultures and be prepared to respond to a series of questions and prompts.
• Youth and the Arts (2018) Students are asked to individually choreograph a short dance including choosing the subject and music.

Music

Elementary

• Zoo Tunes (2019) Students are asked to notate, and perform, with voice or instrument, an original musical composition portraying a chosen animal.
• What a Find! (2018) The students are asked to create a rhythmic pattern based on given notations, arrange it into a rondo form (ABACA), and sight read and play the rhythmic pattern using body percussion.
• Come to the Fair (2018) Students are asked to listen to and compare and contrast two musical compositions.
• Pet Food Commercial (formerly Cat Food Commercial) (2019) Students are asked to create, compose and perform a commercial that demonstrates an understanding of how tempo, rhythm, and dynamics relate to the cat food.
• All-Star Cast (2018) Students are asked to sight-sing two measures of music.
• Cartoon Soundtrack (2019) Students are asked to create four measure long music for a cartoon soundtrack.

Middle School

• All-State All-Stars (2018) Students are asked to perform a sight-singing exercise of four measures of music.
• Commercial Jingle (formerly Bubble Gum Jingle) (2018) Students are asked to create and perform a jingle, using voice or instrument, for a new kind of bubble gum.
• Roller Coaster Fanatic (2015) Students are asked to create a theme, using voice or an instrument, showing a person's feelings when riding a roller coaster as a theme for a computer game.
• Festival Time Ensemble (2019) Students are asked to select a musical piece which they will research, analyze, and then perform, using voice or an instrument in a small ensemble.
• Festival Time Solo (2019) Students are asked to form small ensembles of two, three, or four people and select music to fit their group.
• Pit Orchestra Audition (2019) Students are asked to sight read the rhythms, note patterns, and dynamics in eight measures of music for strings.
• Music Review (2018) Students are asked to write a review of a piece of music the teacher has played for them.
• Stepping to the Rhythm (2019) Students are asked to sight-read the rhythms in eight measures of music and use body percussion or voice to perform them.

High School

• The Melody of Your Dreams (2018) Students are asked to create a musical composition with a "catchy" melody for voice or instrument that may be used in an advertisement for a car advertisement.
• Documentary Theme Song (2019) Students will be asked to create a music composition using a music sequencing computer program or a music notation computer program.
• Festival Time Solo (2019) Students are asked to form small ensembles of two, three, or four people and select music to fit their group.
• Festival Time Ensemble (2019) Students are asked to select a musical piece that they will research, analyze, and then perform using voice or an instrument.
• Sounds of Music (2018) Students are asked to sight read the rhythms, note patterns, and dynamics in eight measures of mixed meter music for woodwind brass and percussion.
• Pit Orchestra Audition (2019) Students are asked to sight read the rhythms, note patterns, and dynamics in eight measures of mixed meter music for strings.
• Prime Time TV (2019) Students are asked to compose (or select) and perform a theme song and three variations.
• World Class All-Stars (2018) Students are asked to sight-sing eight measures of music.

Theatre

Elementary

• Center Stage Star (2018) Students are asked to create a performance of a character from a familiar fairy tale, folk tale, fable, or nursery rhyme.
• Greetings, Sister City! (2018) Students are asked to create a vocal presentation based on a Haiku poem.
• So...What's Your Problem? (2018) Students are asked to create and perform an improvisational scene based on a story with a problem and solution.
• Be a Good Sport (2018) Students are asked to demonstrate a sport skill through mimed movement.
• Time for Rhyme (2018) Students are asked to memorize and perform a nursery rhyme.

Middle School

• Animal Crackers (2018) Students are asked to create an animal character for an audition.
• Thinking on Your Feet (2019) Students are asked to create and perform an improvisational story with an effective storyline using improvisational skills.
• Poetry Month (2018) Students are asked to perform a short memorized poem of their choice.
• Silent Movie (2018) Students are asked to create and perform a pantomime with a storyline that includes a central conflict.
• Star Power! (2018) Students are asked to perform a memorized monologue.
• Campfire Story (2018) Students are asked to prepare and tell a story identifying the situation, conflict and character, and include an exciting beginning and surprise ending.

High School

• Auditioning With Pantomime (2018) Students are asked to create a pantomime with a clear beginning, middle, and end that has a central conflict which is clearly resolved.
• You're History! (2019) Students are asked to choose a historic figure and create a character portrayal.
• Comedy Tonight (formerly On the Spot) (2018) Students are asked to perform a one-minute improvisation with a partner.
• Getting The Part (2018) Students are asked to analyze a monologue from a selection of published modern plays in preparation for a performance.
• Speaking The Speech (2018) Students are asked to select a speech and perform the speech to demonstrate effective vocal work.
• The Play's The Thing (2019) Students are asked to create a window display utilizing theme(s) from a famous play.

Visual Arts

Elementary School

• One of a Kind Shoe (2018) Students are asked to design a shoe and demonstrate an understanding of line, value, and texture.
• Aquarium Tiles (2018) Students are asked to create a tile in relief that includes decorative rhythm patterns and feature an aquarium animal or animals.
• A Postcard View (2018) Students are asked to create a landscape for use on a postcard and respond to questions about their work.
• A New Mascot (2019) Students are asked to present an idea for a new school mascot.
• All About Us (2015) Students are asked to create a colorful, active figure drawing of an activity they like to do, such as a sport, hobby, arts activity, or other activity.
• You've Got it Covered (2018) Students are asked to design artwork for the cover of a CD of music.

Middle School

• Birds of Prey (2018) (formerly Endangered Nest) Students are asked to create a close-up drawing of the nest of a bird of prey, including eggs and the area around it.
• Sculptures in the Park (2019) Students are asked to create an abstract sculpture for local community park planners.
• Put the Life Back in Wildlife (2018) Students are asked to create a functional vessel reflecting the theme: Put the Life Back in Wildlife.
• The Real You (2019) Students are asked to create a realistic self-portrait that depicts head, face, neck, and shoulders.
• Teen Sandwich Hub (2018) Students are asked to design a sandwich shop with a theme that is attractive to teens.

High School

• A Vegetarian Palette (2018) Students are asked to create a realistic and still life composition of an arrangement of fruits and/or vegetables.
• Snack Time (2018) Students are asked to photograph a food item or group of items that interest teenagers.
• A Zoo Mug (2018) Students are asked to create a mug that has a functional handle, at least two levels of sculptural relief, and two or more decorative textures.
• Earth Club Logo (2018) Students are asked to designs a logo for a bumper sticker that visually communicates the mission of the Earth Club.
• Cartoon Comments (2019) Students are asked to draw a political cartoon about whether the campus should be open or closed.
• The Perfect Gift (2019) Students are asked to create a portrait of a friend after looking at a variety of portrait styles.
• Picture This (2019) Students are asked to submit a proposal for the backdrop of a photo-shoot area with an ocean theme.