YourStateStandards

Michigan K–6 theatre standards

Michigan writes its own theatre standards. They are published as Michigan Merit Curriculum: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theater, adopted 2011 and are not a version of a national framework. 58 of 120 are matched to a national standard.

Row-level discipline split of CSP's arts umbrella (all 4 disciplines were classified into `music`): ART.D/ART.T/ART.VA -> art, ART.M -> music.

Framework
Michigan Merit Curriculum: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theater
Adopted
2011
Source last checked
July 24, 2026
Read the official document

120 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • ART.T.I.K.1K

    Imitate and recreate the sounds of objects, animals, and people.

  • ART.T.I.K.2K

    Recognize a variety of real and non-real characters through guided dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.K.1K

    Recognize characters, environments, and situations that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.K.2K

    Differentiate between dramatic play and creative drama.

  • ART.T.II.K.3K

    Covered in benchmark 4.

  • ART.T.II.K.4K

    Recognize simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.K.1K

    Use the vocabulary of theatre to identify theatrical experiences.

  • ART.T.III.K.2K

    Repeat sequence of events through guided practice.

  • ART.T.III.K.3K

    Reference story details to formulate personal preferences.

  • ART.T.III.K.4K

    Respond to teacher questions regarding personal opinions about character, place, and plot.

  • ART.T.III.K.5K

    Receive teacher comments and direction regarding classroom dramatizations.

  • ART.T.III.K.6K

    Recognize the character's wants and needs.

  • ART.T.III.K.7K

    Communicate likes and dislikes prompted by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.K.1K

    Become aware that art forms come from all cultures.

  • ART.T.IV.K.2K

    Identify that stories come in a variety of forms.

  • ART.T.V.K.1K

    Understand that performances are presented in various multimedia forms.

  • ART.T.V.K.2K

    Participate in arts activities that focus on everyday life.

  • ART.T.I.1.11

    Imitate and recreate the sounds of objects, animals, and people.

  • ART.T.I.1.21

    Role-play a variety of real and non-real characters through guided dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.1.11

    Identify characters, environments, and situations that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.1.21

    Paraphrase dialogue from a story.

  • ART.T.II.1.31

    Recognize simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.1.11

    Recognize the characters and setting in stories.

  • ART.T.III.1.21

    Recognize sequence of events.

  • ART.T.III.1.31

    Recognize likes and dislikes regarding music, sound, movement, dance, and design in classroom dramatizations.

  • ART.T.III.1.41

    List character choices, story settings, and plot lines.

  • ART.T.III.1.51

    Listen and respond to teacher and peer comments.

  • ART.T.III.1.61

    Reinforce the recognition of the character's wants and needs.

  • ART.T.III.1.71

    Describe emotions and thoughts evoked by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.1.11

    Recognize and discuss cultural traditions in stories.

  • ART.T.IV.1.21

    List the variety of forms of live and recorded theatrical events.

  • ART.T.V.1.11

    Name various types of multimedia forms used to share performances in everyday life.

  • ART.T.V.1.21

    Identify artists in the community.

  • ART.T.I.2.12

    Identify and describe different characters though vocal expression.

  • ART.T.I.2.22

    Dramatize real and non-real characters with prompting and side-coaching.

  • ART.T.II.2.12

    Describe characters, environments, and situations that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.2.22

    Paraphrase dialogue from a story to show different interpretations.

  • ART.T.II.2.32

    Manipulate simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.2.12

    Describe the characters and setting in stories.

  • ART.T.III.2.22

    Convey elements of character, setting, and events after reading a story or script (The Five Ws).

  • ART.T.III.2.32

    Reflect upon personal preferences of music, sound, movement, dance, and design in the classroom dramatizations.

  • ART.T.III.2.42

    Make predictions about characters, setting, and events based on story content.

  • ART.T.III.2.52

    Reflect upon the role of constructive criticism for building classroom dramatizations.

  • ART.T.III.2.62

    Describe the character's wants and needs.

  • ART.T.III.2.72

    Give examples of emotions and thoughts evoked by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.2.12

    Observe that different art forms reflect upon the diversity of society.

  • ART.T.IV.2.22

    Describe the variety of forms of live and recorded theatrical events.

  • ART.T.V.2.12

    Describe various types of multimedia forms used to share performances in everyday life.

  • ART.T.V.2.22

    Express various ideas and emotions through a variety of dramatic art forms reflecting life situations.

  • ART.T.I.3.13

    Identify and describe different characters though vocal expression.

  • ART.T.I.3.23

    Dramatize real and non-real characters with prompting and side-coaching.

  • ART.T.II.3.13

    Illustrate characters, environments, and situations that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.3.23

    Paraphrase dialogue from a story to show different interpretations.

  • ART.T.II.3.33

    Manipulate simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.3.13

    Infer from a text, characters and setting in stories.

  • ART.T.III.3.23

    Analyze elements of dramatic structure for successful classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.III.3.33

    Respond to and build upon ideas of others' personal preferences for stage design.

  • ART.T.III.3.43

    Collaborate to extend and add on to improvised stories.

  • ART.T.III.3.53

    Listen to constructive criticism and respond in a positive manner.

  • ART.T.III.3.63

    Further describe the character's wants and needs.

  • ART.T.III.3.73

    Compare and contrast emotions and thoughts evoked by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.3.13

    Infer lessons from multicultural stories, fairy tales, tall tales, fables, and legends.

  • ART.T.IV.3.23

    Identify the similarities and differences between live and recorded theatrical events.

  • ART.T.V.3.13

    Share how varied multimedia forms illustrate performances in one family's life.

  • ART.T.V.3.23

    Recognize that the arts are an expression and record of human life.

  • ART.T.I.4.14

    Create and demonstrate vocal expression to support the playing of a character.

  • ART.T.I.4.24

    Improvise real and non-real characters.

  • ART.T.II.4.14

    Make artistic choices regarding character, environment, and situation that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.4.24

    Perform dialogue from a story to show different interpretations.

  • ART.T.II.4.34

    Create simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.4.14

    Analyze the characters and setting.

  • ART.T.III.4.24

    Outline standards that can be used to critique performances.

  • ART.T.III.4.34

    Compromise with peers in small group decision making about artistic design choices.

  • ART.T.III.4.44

    Unite random objects and situations to form a cohesive story.

  • ART.T.III.4.54

    Build skills to critique self and others in a respectful and constructive manner.

  • ART.T.III.4.64

    Analyze the character's wants and needs.

  • ART.T.III.4.74

    Predict emotions and thoughts evoked by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.4.14

    Compare and contrast different presentations from the same time period or cultural context.

  • ART.T.IV.4.24

    Discuss the similarities and differences between live and recorded theatrical events.

  • ART.T.V.4.14

    Compare and contrast performances in a variety of multimedia forms.

  • ART.T.V.4.24

    Create artistic projects that show how ideas and emotions are expressed in everyday life.

  • ART.T.I.5.15

    Create and demonstrate vocal expression to support the playing of a character.

  • ART.T.I.5.25

    Improvise real and non-real characters.

  • ART.T.II.5.15

    Appraise artistic choices regarding character, environment, and situation that support the creation of a classroom dramatization.

  • ART.T.II.5.25

    Improvise dialogue from a story to show different interpretations.

  • ART.T.II.5.35

    Create simple scenery, costumes, sound, and props in the dramatic process.

  • ART.T.III.5.15

    Understand characters' thought processes during dramatic scenes.

  • ART.T.III.5.25

    Critique peers' performances in classroom dramatizations.

  • ART.T.III.5.35

    Critique personal and peer artistic design choices.

  • ART.T.III.5.45

    Suggest and implement alternative characters, settings, or events after viewing or participating in a performance.

  • ART.T.III.5.55

    Display skills to critique self and others in a respectful and constructive manner.

  • ART.T.III.5.65

    Compare and contrast personal traits and characters traits derived from a text.

  • ART.T.III.5.75

    Question emotions and thoughts evoked by performances.

  • ART.T.IV.5.15

    Understand that a variety of art forms are infused in theatre and come from different cultures.

  • ART.T.IV.5.25

    Understand the significance of theatre and its relationship to history and cultures.

  • ART.T.IV.5.35

    Develop criteria to evaluate the similarities and differences between live and recorded theatrical events.

  • ART.T.V.5.15

    Create performances in varied multimedia forms.

  • ART.T.V.5.25

    Compare and contrast how varied art forms are an expression of everyday life.

  • ART.T.I.6.16

    Identify and practice, with guidance, techniques for physical and vocal conditioning.

  • ART.T.I.6.26

    Utilize role playing and characterization skills to perform in ensemble scenes.

  • ART.T.I.6.36

    Serve as leader and employ effective communication skills to facilitate the sharing of ideas.

  • ART.T.II.6.16

    Recognize and explain the unique characterizations of the dramatic script such as dramatic action and dialogue.

  • ART.T.II.6.26

    Infer meaning from a script to create characters.

  • ART.T.II.6.36

    Create monologues, dialogues, and short plays in response to real life conflict.

  • ART.T.II.6.46

    Discuss the role of the designer and technical elements in the theatre process.

  • ART.T.III.6.16

    Study a play or story, and visualize, draw, and create a simple theatrical environment for it.

  • ART.T.III.6.26

    Recognize elements of dramatic structure (foreshadowing, flashbacks, rising action, crisis, and denouement) that impact technical needs.

  • ART.T.III.6.36

    Gather and investigate materials to support artistic choices in the creation and portrayal of characters and their stories.

  • ART.T.III.6.46

    Research materials from various sources to discover how they affect audience response.

  • ART.T.III.6.56

    Provide and listen to constructive criticism and respond in a positive manner.

  • ART.T.III.6.66

    Develop criteria to critique what is seen, heard, and understood.

  • ART.T.III.6.76

    Produce written, verbal, and visual responses to students' written and/or performed dramatic material.

  • ART.T.IV.6.16

    Demonstrate a basic knowledge of European theatre history that may include primitive storytelling and Greek/Roman times to the Elizabethan period.

  • ART.T.IV.6.26

    Identify the ways in which many cultures have used theatre to communicate ideas.

  • ART.T.IV.6.36

    Research and identify a wide variety of professions related to theatre; playwriting, acting, design, and directing.

  • ART.T.IV.6.46

    Identify examples of how theatrical productions can influence or be influenced by politics and culture.

  • ART.T.IV.6.56

    Identify specific actions that reflect feelings and emotions in a live theatrical production.

  • ART.T.V.6.16

    Examine how varied art forms are expressed in recorded or live theatre performances.

  • ART.T.V.6.26

    List and describe how theatre can synthesize all of the arts.

  • ART.T.V.6.36

    Communicate ideas from viewing varied theatrical and artistic events.

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