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Curricular Ties

Counseling
Family and Consumer Science
Foreign Language
Health
History and Government, Economics and Geography
Library Media
Mathematics
Physical Education
Reading
Science
Theatre/Drama

Counseling - Grade 9 - 12
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1   Personal-Social Domain
  1.1 The student will develop a positive self-concept.
  1.1.1 The student will identify personal values.
  1.1.2 The student will develop personal strengths and recognize limitations.
  1.1.3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of self-enhancing behaviors.
  1.1.4 The student will apply the use of positive messages to influence one's feelings and behaviors.
  1.1.5 The student will learn to use feedback effectively.
  1.1.6 The student will describe how one's actions impact others.
  1.1.7 The student will recognize the relationship between self-concept and behavior.

Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1   Personal-Social Domain
  1.2 The student will be able to make effective decisions.
  1.2.1 The student will apply the steps of making decisions to real-life situations.
  1.2.2 The student will generate possible options, including compromises.
  1.2.3 The student will utilize available resources in making effective decisions.
  1.2.4 The student will predict and evaluate the possible consequences of choices.
  1.2.5 The student will evaluate the impact of values, family, and peers on the decision making process.
  1.2.6 The student will evaluate the effectiveness of decisions and identify ways to improve the process and outcome.

Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1   Personal-Social Domain
  1.4 The student will be respectful toward others.
  1.4.1 The student will demonstrate respect for others in a variety of situations.
  1.4.2 The student will evaluate the importance of respecting others.
  1.4.3 The student will recognize and support positive qualities in others.
  1.4.4 The student will demonstrate respect for a variety of individuals.
  1.4.5 The student will describe the societal implications of respecting others.

Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 1.5.1, 1.5.2, 1.5.3, 1.5.6, & 1.5.7

1   Personal-Social Domain
  1.5 The student will develop interpersonal relationship skills.
  1.5.1 The student will demonstrate appropriate behaviors based on how one feels.
  1.5.2 The student will demonstrate good communication skills with others.
  1.5.3 The student will describe friendships and relationships between same and opposite sexes.
  1.5.4 The student will identify characteristics of a successful marriage.
  1.5.5 The student will describe own personal space and recognize the value of privacy.
  1.5.6 The student will respond effectively to peer pressure.
  1.5.7 The student will apply effective interpersonal relationship skills.
  1.5.8 The student will develop and maintain friendships.

Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1   Personal-Social Domain
  1.6 The student will be responsible to self and others.
  1.6.1 The student will demonstrate responsibility for one's behavior.
  1.6.2 The student will demonstrate responsible behavior in a variety of situations.
  1.6.3 The student will describe the cause and effect of one's actions toward others.
  1.6.4 The student will demonstrate self-control and self-reliance.
  1.6.5 The student will demonstrate acceptance of responsibility for one's decisions, actions, and personal growth.
  1.6.6 The student will demonstrate giving constructive criticism to others.

Inspired by America provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore their own values, their relationships to others—both in and beyond America, their vision for their country’s future and that of the global community, and countless other real-life personal and social issues.  Needleman, Schwarz and Cypress String Quartet have combined their talents and efforts to stimulate self-exploration, self-understanding, empathy, social conscience, the role of morals in personal and public life, the importance of commitment to a vision, and so much more.  It’s a rich context for discovery and discussion.

Family and Consumer Science - Grades 6 - 12
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=22&grade_no=10
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 1, 2, 6, 12, 13, 14, & 15

1 Career, Community, and Family Connections
Integrate multiple life roles and responsibilities in family, work, and community settings.
2 Consumer and Family Resources
Evaluate management practices related to human, economic, and environmental resources.
6 Family
Evaluate the significance of family and its impact on the well being of individuals and society.
12 Human Development
Analyze factors that impact human growth and development
13 Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal Relationships
14 Nutrition and Wellness
Demonstrate nutrition and wellness practices that enhance individual and family well-being.
15 Parenting
Evaluate the impact of parenting roles and responsibilities on strengthening the well being of
individuals and families

Looking at the values of a country includes considering the roles of elements such as family, work and community, as well as the use of natural environments and resources.  It also involves determining the factors affecting health and well-being.   Does America’s crisis in physical health have an impact on issues addressed by Inspired by America?  Has the structure of the family changed over the past 200+ years in such a way that our national values or integrity have been affected?  What is meant by the term “consumerism,” and why is it often considered a negative quality of American society?  This content area has many questions and issues to explore in preparation for the Cypress String Quartet performance.

Foreign Language - Grades 5 - 8
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=21&grade_no=05
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 4 & 5

4 Comparisons
The student develops insight into the nature of language and culture.
5 Communities
The student participates in multilingual communities at home and around the world.

Jacob Needleman finds written expression to be an avenue accessing parts of the individual and group psyche untapped any other way.  Perhaps this is one reason why each language has its own unique way of recreating the world.  The vehicle of language gives students tremendous insight into the thoughts, feelings, values, etc. of members of other cultures, as well as their own culture.  Without language, especially that uniquely suited to the personality of a culture, it would be nearly impossible to convey ideas such as democracy, justice, freedom, equality, and so many others upon which cultures are built.  Individuals would be far less able to explore, clarify, or convey to others their own questions, interpretations, and unique understandings of these complex yet crucial concepts.  Inspired by America offers a perfect opportunity to explore these and other aspects of language.

Health - Grades K - 4, 9 - 12
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=17&grade_no=12
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1 Health Promotion and disease Prevention
Health Promotion and disease Prevention- Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention as related to:
(a) community health;
(b) environmental health,
(c) mental and emotional health,
(d) nutrition,
(e) prevention and control of disease,
(f) consumer health,
(g) family life and sexuality,
(h) injury prevention and safety,
(i) personal health,
(j) substance use, misuse, abuse and addiction.
2 Health Information, Products and Information
Students demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health promoting products and services.
3 Self Management
Students demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks.
4 Influence of Cultural, Media, and Technology
Students analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health.
5 Interpersonal Communications
Students demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
6 Goal Setting and Decision-making Skills
Students demonstrate the ability to use goal setting and decision-making skills to enhance health.
7 Advocating for Health
Students demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.

America is often criticized, from within and without, for being the wealthiest country in human history yet having millions of citizens with far from optimum health.  What are some of the factors related to this state of affairs?  Has America’s health changed significantly over the past 10, 50, 100, or 200 years?  If so, what have been the changes, the possible causes, the impacts?   The average weight of Americans has increased 25 pounds in the past 45 years.  What might be factors contributing to America’s health problems?  A wide array of food additives and alterations?  The influence of advertising, especially on younger Americans? A breakdown in meaningful ways of relating to each other due to television, video games, computers and isolated living environments?  Loss of self-respect as we demand conduct from other countries that we don’t engage in ourselves?  Easy credit making us more prone to avoid planning, goal-setting, and decision-making in favor of immediate gratification and unlimited consumption?  Have other countries experienced the same trends in health-related issues we have?  Inspired by America provides a stage—literally and figuratively—for dealing with almost any aspect of American health. 

History and Government, Economics and Geography - Grades K - 8, 11 - 12
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=3&grade_no=12
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1 Civics-Government
The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of governmental systems of the United States and other nations with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution, the necessity for the rule of law, the civic values of the American republican government, and the rights, privileges, and responsibilities to become active participants in the democratic process.
2 Economics
The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of major economic concepts, issues, and systems of the United States and other nations; and applies decision making skills as a consumer, producer, saver, investor, and citizen in an interdependent world.
3 Geography
The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of the spatial organization of Ea th?s surface and relationships among people, places, and physical and human environments in order to explain the interactions that occur in our interconnected world.
4 Kansas History Standard
The student demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of significant individuals, groups, ideas, events, eras, and developments in the history of Kansas, the United States, and the world, utilizing essential analytical and research skills.
5 U.S. History Standard
The student uses a working knowledge and understanding
of significant individuals, groups, ideas, events, eras, and developments in the history of Kansas, the United States, and the world, utilizing essential analytical and research skills.
6 World History
The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of significant individuals, groups, ideas, events, eras, and developments in the history of Kansas, the United States, and the world, utilizing essential analytical and research skills.

Creators of Inspired by America present audiences with a uniquely effective context for studying American history, as well as the history of other democratic nations, both leading up to and concurrent with American democracy.  Individual and group choices in areas such as environmentally sustainable lifestyles, economics, civil rights, women’s rights, minority rights, international relations, military preparedness and engagement, and similarly compelling issues will have a tremendous impact on the future of America and the planet.  These and other national and international concerns are crucial topics for discussion in schools, communities, and homes across America.  Virtually every aspect of history and government can be addressed through the avenue of Inspired by America.

Library Media - Grades 1 - 12
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=15&grade_no=09
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

1 Information Literacy
The student who is information literate accesses information efficienlatwy an effectively
2 Information Literacy
The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competenlatwy
3 Information Literacy
The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively
4 Independent Learning
The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests
5 Independent Learning
The student who is an independent learner is information literate and can understand other creative expressions of information
6 Independent Learning
The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation
7 Social Responsibility
The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society
8 Social Responsibility
The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literature and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology
9 Social Responsibility
The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in-groups to pursue and generate information

A performance of the breadth and depth Inspired by America encompasses offers a wide spectrum of research opportunities.   Some explorations stimulated by this performance include exploring the work of Jacob Needleman and others calling for a new examination of America, examining the knowledge base behind documentary films such as those produced by Michael Schwarz’s Kikim Media, searching for data that reveals the impact of literature and other information media on the health of society, or seeking information about the impact of alternate methods for communicating thoughts and feelings.  Students could also develop and explore their own areas of investigation.  How have American’s reading styles and levels changed in the past 230 years?  What are noticeable differences in the content of published works over the course of America’s history?  How does literature published or read in the US differ from that in other countries?  What are literacy rates in various countries or parts of the world?  What seems to affect literacy rates?  How do literacy rates affect citizens’ self-concepts, economic levels, and other lifestyle characteristics?

Mathematics - Grades 7 - 12
(Note: these standards become increasingly complex within each sub-skill area during progressio rom 7th to 12th grades. The sub-skills shown are specific to grades 9 ? 12. Developmentally appropriate versions of these standards for grades 7 and 8 are available at this website.)
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Benchmark_ind_list.aspx?stan_con_grade_id=13602&con_id=2&grade_no=07&s tan_id=3598
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: all

4     The student uses concepts and procedures of data analysis in a variety of situations.
  4.2   The student collects, organizes, displays, explains, and interprets numerical (rational numbers) and non-numerical data sets in a variety of situations with a special emphasis on measures of central tendency.
    4.2.A1 Uses data analysis (mean, median, mode, range, quartile, interquartile range) in real-world problems with rational number data sets to compare and contrast two sets of data, to make accurate inferences and predictions, to analyze decisions, and to develop convincing arguments from these data displays (2.4.A1i) ($):
    4.2.A1A frequency tables and line plots;
    4.2.A1B bar, line, and circle graphs;
    4.2.A1C Venn diagrams or other pictorial displays;
    4.2.A1D charts and tables;
    4.2.A1E stem-and-leaf plots (single and double);
    4.2.A1F scatter plots;
    4.2.A1G box-and-whiskers plots;
    4.2.A1H histograms;
    4.2.A2 determines and describes appropriate data collection techniques (observations, surveys, or interviews) and sampling techniques (random sampling, samples of convenience, biased sampling, census of total population, or purposeful sampling) in a given situation.

Jacob Needleman’s book, The American Soul, encourages Americans to look at changes in America since it’s inception.  In so doing, students have ample opportunity to use data of many kinds to analyze changes in areas ranging from population demographics to physical characteristics to civil liberties to litigation trends to participation in government, religious or community activities.  There’s virtually no limit to the analyses that could be performed to better understand changes in America and Americans over the past 230 years.


Please note: The Teacher Resources section accompanying the Standards section lists numerous websites for exploring the relationship between math and music.

Physical Education - Grade 8
http://www.kercks.org/Benchmark_ind_list.aspx?stan_con_grade_id=14268&con_id=28 & grade_no=12&stan_id=4151
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 6.1.2 & 6.1.4

6.1.2 The student appreciates the creative aspects of skilled performance in others and self.
6.1.4 The student analyzes selected physical experiences for social, emotional, and health benefits.

The performance created by Cypress String Quartet has a fundamental theme of America looking at itself.  Within this broad context, physical health is a very significant element.  The possible factors to explore encompass a broad range:  increase understanding of the role of physical health to individuals and whole cultures, realize the impact of health decisions over the lifetime of individuals and over generations in cultures, look at the level and types of physical activity engaged in by Americans over the past 200+ years, role-play the making of informed decisions about the importance of community health facilities and opportunities for individual and group physical activities, or compare changes in the weight and height of Americans since 1776 and how American’s physical size compares with the people of other countries.  These are examples of information related to Inspired by America that can stimulate students to value physical health in a much broader sense and to support it for both the personal and national benefits it provides.

Reading and Writing - Grades 9-12
(Note: these standards become increasingly complex within each sub-skill area during progression from 7th to 12th grades. The sub-skills shown are specific to grades 9 - 12. Developmentally appropriate versions of these standards for grades 7 and 8 are available at this website.)
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=9&grade_no=HS
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 2 & 4

2 Literature
The student responds to a variety of text.
4 Research
The student applies reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.

This performance is rich with reading and writing opportunities.  Whether it’s reading, discussing and comparing the ideas in Jacob Needleman’s The American Soul with works of other historical and contemporary authors or writing essays to express personal thoughts about the status of America or reading the works of America’s founders and other influential figures in America’s history, Inspired by America offers a wealth of possibilities.  It invites students to find out for themselves what America’s most respected figures accomplished and the values and ideals they had for themselves and their country, as well to consider what today’s writers—philosophers, psychologists, theologians, and others—think about the current condition of America.

Science - Grades 7 - 12
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=1&grade_no=07
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 3 & 6

3 LIFE SCIENCE
As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students will apply process skills to explore and understand structure and function in living systems, reproduction and heredity, regulation and behavior, populations and ecosystems, and diversity and adaptations of organisms.
6 SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES
As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students will apply process skills to explore and develop an understanding of issues of personal health, population, resources and environment, and natural hazards.

The multi-dimensional aspect of Cypress String Quartet’s performance, combined with the theme of self-exploration, provides many possibilities for science activities.  These include learning how scientific inquiry makes it possible to assess certain qualities of a nation, such as level of mental or physical health or the impact of technological advances. Performance art itself offers unique opportunities for exploring the physics of movement as various technologies are incorporated into stage design, special effects, or modes of expression.  Changes in living systems over the past 200 years can be explored whether they are communities, sub-cultural groups, organisms or ecosystems affected by human actions.  Performance art now involves robots, computer-generated images, and other technology-driven expression that students can analyze or create. 

There are many areas for further inquiry.  How are cultures that put a high priority on science different from those that do not?  How has the focus on scientific inquiry affected American culture?  What scientific discoveries, inventions, research findings, etc. have had the greatest impact on American culture?  What new types of technology could be incorporated into performance art? 

Theatre/Drama - B, P, A, E
http://www.kerc-ks.org/Standards_List.aspx?con_id=24&grade_no=E
Standards especially appropriate for this performance: 5 & 6

5 Dramatic Content and Theatrical Forms
Evaluating and Reflecting on the Characteristics and Merits of Dramatic Content and Theatrical Forms in their Work and that of Others
6 Integrating Theatre
Integrating Theatre with Other Arts, Disciplines, and the Community

Creating a multi-media or cross-genre performance presents special challenges and opportunities.  Preparation for seeing the world premiere of a multi-faceted production such as Inspired by America affords students a wealth of possibilities to explore:  writing specialized scripts, integrating media or genres, analyzing audience impact and response, considering the potential uses for cutting edge creations, and so much more.  See the section on multi-media or cross-genre performances for some fascinating developments in this area.