What’s the Big Idea?

Did you know that the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts encourage teaching through themes and big ideas? Students are “expected to explore and communicate ideas drawn from life experience about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art.” They are also expected to “develop global awareness and respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures.”

HUMAN COMMONALITIES

All humans share:

A Search for MeaningThe Life Cycle of Birth, Growth, Death

The Use of Symbols to Express thoughts and Emotions

The Arts as a Universal LanguageThe Ability to Recall the Past and Anticipate the Future

A Need for BelongingA Need to Work and Be ProductiveConnections with the Natural World