DoDEA Topic Archive : Curriculum

The music program in DoDEA aims to promote music literacy and to provide students with a well-rounded musical experience. Elementary students will participate in general music courses and some elementary schools offer band and string classes in fourth grade. Students in middle school may be able to participate in band, chorus, string orchestra, as well as music appreciation, and piano and guitar classes. High school course offerings are expanded beyond middle school offering and include music theory, AP music theory, computer music, show choir, and jazz ensembles.

In the Humanities curriculum, emphasis is placed on critical thinking, creativity, and rights and responsibilities of the individual in society. Humanities is the study of that which makes us human: what we think, how we feel, how we look at the world around us, why we act the way we do, and most of all, our ability to create.

The drama program in DoDEA aims to promote literacy and appreciating in the performing arts and to provide students with a well-rounded experience in acting. Students can enroll in drama classes in Grades 6–12. Levels of drama courses offered include beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Our goal as DoDEA Fine Arts is to graduate artistically literate individuals. Artistic literacy is the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to engage authentically in the arts. DoDEA Visual Arts starts in elementary school, where students are introduced to the elements and principles of art, along with the chance to try a variety of artistic mediums. In middle school, the possible course offerings may include classes which cover a myriad of mediums, or those that focus on one type, such as Digital Photography, or Three-Dimensional Design. At the high school level, students may choose to use a visual arts course to fulfill their fine arts graduation requirement. These range from Fundamentals to Ceramics; Drawing to Printmaking; Painting to AP 2-D Art and Design or AP Art History.

The Fine Arts program is inclusive of Music, Visual Arts, and Theater programs, as well as Humanities class offerings. These courses provide opportunities for personal and academic growth and ways to create bridges between other subject disciplines.