ArtSpark will build confidence, ignite creativity,
& get your child fired up about the Arts!

ArtSpark Logo

ArtSpark is our summer program that offers area children in Grades K-4 with an age-appropriate opportunity to explore the performing arts, guided by experienced music and theatre teaching artists. Each session is a week-long and students can take as few or as many as desired.

Each day of the weekly ArtSpark sessions students participate in:

  • Theatre games
  • Singing
  • Acting
  • Storytelling
  • Movement & More!

All activities center on imaginative, fun themes that your student will love! Best of all, as a result of their performing arts training, kids become more confident, creative, and better communicators. Each session will culminate in a showcase of the student’s work, demonstrating what they’ve learned and created in ArtSpark.

Grades:  K-2 & 3-4

Time: 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday for each session

Lunch: Students are responsible for bringing their own lunch, snack, and beverages.

Fee: $275 per one week session

  • Choose your week(s) and location(s) that works best for you!
  • Different themes each week so your child can take multiple weeks!
  • Fee includes team-taught instruction, class supplies, and program t-shirt they can wear with pride!  We offer a different color each year so they can build their collection!
  • West Fargo School District students are eligible for $100 fee waiver paid for by West Fargo Public School.

Trollwood Performing Arts School is committed to safety and will monitor COVID-19 guidelines. Trollwood reserves the right to alter or cancel programming if deemed necessary. In the event of cancellation due to COVID-19, Trollwood will refund program registration fees. Otherwise, all registration fees are non-refundable.

ARTSPARK (K-4)

ArtSpark introduces elementary students to the performing arts in three curricular areas: Vocal Music, Drama, and Dance.  The applicable standards and benchmarks for this program are listed below.  Not all standards and benchmarks will be addressed in each one week session, but a significant number of them will be represented.

MUSIC

Standard 1: Singing
Students sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

K-5.1.1. Sing independently on pitch and in rhythm.
K-5.1.2. Sing expressively.
K-5.1.3. Sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures.
K-5.1.4. Sing in parts.
K-5.1.5. Sing in groups.

Standard 2: Instrumental Performance
Students perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 3: Improvisation
Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

K-5.3.1. Students improvise simple melodies, rhythmic and melodic variations, and accompaniments.

Standard 4: Composition
Students compose and arrange music within specified guidelines.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 5: Reading Music
Students read and notate music.

K-5.5.1. Read simple rhythms in basic meters.
K-5.5.2. Know how to use a system to read simple pitch notation.
K-5.5.3. Know symbols and traditional terms.
K-5.5.4. Know how to use basic symbols to notate music.

Standard 6: Listening
Students listen to, analyze, and describe music.

K-5.6.1. Know simple music forms when presented aurally.
K-5.6.2. Know a variety of styles representing diverse cultures.
K-5.6.3. Know terminology to describe music.
K-5.6.4. Know the sounds of a variety of instruments and voices for various cultures.
K-5.6.5. Understand the relationship between music and movement.

Standard 7: Evaluating Music
Students evaluate music and music performances.

K-5.7.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.7.2. Understand how to use music terminology to express personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.

Standard 8: Music and Other Disciplines
Students understand the relationship between music, the other arts, and other disciplines.

K-5.8.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.8.2. Understand the interrelationship of music and other disciplines.

Standard 9: Music, History, and Culture
Students understand music in relation to history and culture.

K-5.9.1. Know music from various historical periods.
K-5.9.2. Know how elements of music are used in music examples from various cultures.
K-5.9.3. Know various uses of music in daily experiences.
K-5.9.4. Know characteristics that make certain music suitable for its use.
K-5.9.5. Understand the role of musicians in various music settings and cultures.
K-5.9.6. Know appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

DRAMA

Standard 1: Dramatic Literature
Students comprehend a wide variety of dramatic literature.

K-5.1.1. Know published and non-published fiction and nonfiction.
K-5.1.2. Understand scripting.
K-5.1.3. Understand the emotional reactions created by dramatic presentations.

Standard 2: Acting
Students will engage in fundamental acting skills.

K-5.2.1.Use a variety of movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.2. Understand the relationship between character and movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.3. Create and sustain a character.

Standard 3: Production
Students engage in fundamental production skills.

K-5.3.1. Know how visual elements and aural aspects are used to communicate.
K-5.3.2. Select materials to create technical elements of production.
K-5.3.3. Create marketing and publicity materials.

Standard 4: Cultural Context of Drama
Students will understand the cultural context of drama.

K-5.4.1. Recognize similarities and differences between theatre and one’s own life.
K-5.4.2. Use dramatization to understand culture.

Standard 5: Consumer of Theatre
Students will understand how to be knowledgeable consumers of theatre.

K-5.5.1. Know appropriate audience behaviors.
K-5.5.2. Know that people react to theatrical productions in different ways.

Standard 6: Drama and Human Development
Students understand the role of theatre in human development.

K-5.6.1. Use drama to develop creative thinking skills.
K-5.6.2. Use drama to develop critical thinking skills.
K-5.6.3. Use drama to develop social skills.

Standard 7: Drama and Other Disciplines
Students understand the connections between drama and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know connections between drama and other disciplines in the curriculum.
K-5.7.2. Know how to use drama to demonstrate knowledge of other disciplines.

DANCE

Standard 1: Movement Skills
Students demonstrate proficiency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

K-5.1.1. Use dance elements to expand movement experiences.
K-5.1.2. Know boundaries of dance space.
K-5.1.3. Understand characteristics of nonlocomotor/axial movements.
K-5.1.4. Understand the characteristics of locomotor movements in many directions and pathways.
K-5.1.5. Move to a rhythmic accompaniment and respond to changes in tempo.
K-5.1.6. Understand the characteristics of balance and proper alignment.
K-5.1.7. Understand how body parts and joints are used in movement.
K-5.1.8. Use kinesthetic awareness, concentration, and focus in performing movement skills.

Standard 2: Choreography
Students understand choreographic principles, processes, and structures.

K-5.2.1. Understand the characteristics of a movement sequence.
K-5.2.2. Understand how improvisation is used to discover and invent movement.
K-5.2.3. Understand the characteristics of a dance phrase that is repeated and/or varied.
K-5.2.4. Know how to use the characteristics of solo and group dance to create whole compositions.

Standard 3: Dance and Meaning
Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.

K-5.3.1. Communicate ideas using movement.
K-5.3.2. Know how dance is similar to and different from other forms of movement.

Standard 4: Dance and Thinking Skills
Students apply critical and creative thinking skills in dance.

K-5.4.1. Know that a variety of strategies can be used to solve movement problems.
K-5.4.2. Understand how various dance styles are similar to and different from one another.

Standard 5: Dance, History, and Culture
Students understand the historical development of dance and its relationship to various cultures.

K-5.5.1. Know the characteristics of multicultural dance forms.
K-5.5.2. Understand the role and purpose of dance in various cultures.
K-5.5.3. Know characteristics of the forms of theatre dance.
K-5.5.4. Know and apply proper audience etiquette.
K-5.5.5. Know dances unique to local geographic regions.

Standard 6: Dance and Personal Wellness
Students understand the connection between dance and personal wellness.

K-5.6.1. Know healthy practices that enhance the ability to dance.
K-5.6.2. Understand the importance of warming up and cooling down the body.

Standard 7: Dance and Other Disciplines
Students understand the difference between dance and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know how to use dance concepts to enhance understanding of other academic disciplines.