Region 11 Arts Lead: Geraldine Walkup, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Developing a standards-based visual and performing arts curriculum can be overwhelming for front line staff, especially if the organization they work for has not hired a specialist in this area. Implementing the curriculum can also be challenging due to other factors that must be addressed when instructing students in the arts, such as:  resources and facilities, materials and supplies, and classroom management. This guide was developed to address these issues by providing examples and suggestions on how to strengthen arts programs offered after school.  It is also intended to assist front line staff in developing lessons that are standards-based and address the five strands of the California Visual and Performing Content Standards, along with guidelines on other important components of teaching the arts in an after school setting, such as:

• Planning curriculum
• How to creative a rich learning environment
• Assessment
• Working with the day school and community
• Resources