Aligning Practices with the NJSLS for Visual and Performing Arts

This workshop supports K–12 educators in aligning their instruction with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for Visual and Performing Arts. It introduces the structure of the standards, emphasizing Artistic Processes, Anchor Standards, Practices, and Performance Expectations, while guiding educators through practical applications across grade bands. Participants engage in interactive activities that demonstrate how to integrate updated content areas such as media arts and climate change-related expectations. 

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• Lack of familiarity with the NJSLS-VPA structure and content.
  
  
• Uncertainty about how to incorporate new focus areas such as media arts and climate change into existing curricula.
  
  
• Difficulty translating abstract performance expectations into actionable classroom practices.
  

1. Understanding the Updated Standards Framework
   Participants will develop a strong grasp of the NJSLS-VPA structure, including the Artistic Processes, Anchor Standards, Practices, and Performance Expectations. They will explore the inclusion of media arts and grade-level specific performance benchmarks, and understand the implications for their own teaching.
   
   
2. Practical Application through Standards-Based Activities
   Educators will gain access to and engage with grade-band-specific sample activities that align with various VPA disciplines (Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, and Media Arts). These examples help translate standards into real classroom experiences, fostering student creativity and critical thinking across diverse artistic forms.
   
   
3. Strategies for Integrating Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Content
   Teachers will learn how to incorporate 21st-century themes, comply with state-mandated inclusion laws, and design interdisciplinary connections. This ensures that their curricula are both standards-aligned and culturally responsive.