Visual Arts Guide

Disciplinary Literacy in theArts Thinking and Expression in the Arts

LITERACY

Disciplinary literacy is the skill set that students need in order to make sense of the unique texts of specifc areas of study. As with general literacy, disciplinary literacy focuses on supporting reading, writing, speaking, and listening in ways that refect deep thinking in the arts. Disciplinary literacy in the arts encourages students to move beyond general reading strategies in order to make sense of unique texts found in the arts. The texts in the arts comprise written works on the specifc subject area, but also include 2-D, 3-D, and digital artworks, sheet music and music performances, dramatic scripts and theatrical performances, and dance notation and performances.

INSTRUCTION, PRACTICE, AND SUPPORT

In order for students to master disciplinary literacy in their specifc art form, they need focused instruction and supports. Disciplinary literacy instruction can be embedded in all four strands of the arts standards. As teachers develop learning activities and projects for their students, they should become more intentional in incorporating a disciplinary literacy focus.

DISCIPLINARY LITERACY FOCUS

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

IMPLEMENTATION

Discipline-specifc vocabulary What are the terms, phrases, and words specifc to the content that students need to know and use?

Use of proper terms in instruction

Direct instruction of terms and defnitions

Stems and prompts to help students use vocabulary in written and verbal activities

Knowledge of artistic elements andgenres

What are the building blocks of meaning in arts texts?

Introduce and use artistic elements to plan, create, or respond to works in a specifc content area