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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