Sudan Primary School Syllabus - Arts

The Arts curriculum in Sudan emphasizes the importance of arts education for the holistic development of young people. It aims to cultivate creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for diverse art forms. The curriculum is designed to foster the following qualities in learners:

• Successful lifelong learners
• Creative and productive individuals
• Environmentally aware members of society

The Arts curriculum is built upon the following core principles:

• Enabling learners to explore, clarify, and express ideas, feelings, and experiences through various art activities.
• Providing aesthetic experiences and developing aesthetic awareness across a range of art forms.
• Developing learners' sensitivity to and enjoyment of visual, aural, tactile, and spatial qualities in their environment.
• Enabling learners to develop natural abilities and potential, acquire techniques, and practice skills necessary for creative expression and joyful participation in different art forms.
• Enabling learners to see and solve problems creatively through imaginative thinking, encouraging individuality and enterprise.
• Valuing learners' confidence and self-esteem through valuing self-expression.
• Fostering a sense of excellence in and appreciation of the arts in local, regional, national, and global contexts, both past and present.
• Fostering critical appreciation of the arts for personal fulfillment and enjoyment.
• Promoting and celebrating multicultural coexistence to build a foundation for future generations.

Curriculum Structure

The Arts curriculum comprises four interrelated strands:

• Visual Arts & Craft: This strand focuses on developing skills in perceiving, exploring, responding to, and appreciating the visual world. It involves two- and three-dimensional work in various media, balancing expressive activities with opportunities to appreciate diverse visual art forms. Regional craft traditions are also emphasized.
• Music and Dance: This strand provides opportunities to listen and respond, perform, choreograph, and compose. Learners develop an awareness of sound organization in music, engage in singing and instrumental playing, and explore various body movements to communicate moods and feelings through dance. The curriculum emphasizes experiencing and responding to music from different styles, periods, and cultures, including the South Sudanese repertoire.
• Drama: This strand uses interrelated activities to explore feelings, knowledge, and ideas, leading to a deeper understanding of the world. Learners explore motivations and relationships between people in real, imagined, or historical contexts. They are encouraged to make decisions and take responsibility within the safe context of drama activities.
• Critical Appreciation of the Arts: While the majority of arts activities are practical and experiential, critical evaluation and appreciation are integral to the creative process. This strand focuses on developing creative skills, knowledge, understanding, and enhancing enjoyment of the arts.

Progression and Assessment

Assessment in the arts considers all aspects of learning, including the creative process, skill acquisition, knowledge of tools and techniques, understanding of the art world, and the ability to respond to and reflect upon artwork. Assessment focuses on four key areas:

1. Generating ideas (complexity, research, observation, originality, perception, aspiration, creativity) 2. Making art (technique, skill, control, complexity, mastery, quality, judgment, creativity) 3. Evaluating art (judgment, autonomy, independence, perception, subtlety) 4. Experiencing art forms (breadth, contextual understanding, explanation, judgment)

Formative assessment is integrated into the teaching and learning process through observation, conversation, and product appraisal.

Syllabus Units and Lesson Structure

The Arts curriculum is organized into syllabus units, each designed to cover 7-12 weeks of instruction. Each unit is further divided into lessons, which incorporate various learning activities. Lessons typically include activities for critical appreciation, individual and collaborative work, opportunities to create new art forms, and exploration of existing art forms from diverse artists. The curriculum encourages linking arts education with other subject areas. Teachers are provided with unit breakdowns and guidance on planning and implementing lessons.