The goal is to teach students how to create their own ideas and to become excited in expressing themselves artistically. Basic art concepts are taught including the elements and principles of design and color theory. Students explore art history and experiment with a variety of drawing and painting media as well as process art techniques. Students will participate in art competitions throughout the year and all student artwork is published on the Artsonia online school gallery.
The students have the opportunity to experience literature weekly. They learn how to select books and properly care for a library book. They are introduced to award-winning children’s authors and utilize literature-based projects to reinforce the story concept. The school has an elementary and middle school library. Accelerated reader is introduced in first grade with incentives given to increase student participation. Through a subscription with World Book Encyclopedia, the library offers a reference resource for both school and home. Through the library, the school also subscribes to Scholastic Reading Inventory, another tool to assess students’ reading.
The weekly music program is designed to teach the students songs about the love of Jesus and other appropriate children’s melodies. The program provides ear training in music and teaches them to read notes, clap rhythms and understand music symbols. Students are introduced to different kinds of musical instruments. Students also learn about composers and different kinds of music.
Students are provided with opportunities to participate in developmental activities related to muscular strength, endurance training, and flexibility. The curriculum includes fundamental movement skills, perceptual awareness, rhythmic activities, skills related to games and sports, tumbling skills and physical fitness testing. Activities include running, tag games, relay races, basketball, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, softball, and others.
Once a week students are exposed to age appropriate curriculum Spanish. The vocabulary introduced is then reinforced through the week. The vocabulary is introduced through spoken word, picture vocabulary, games, and songs.
Fourth grade is structured for beginning students speaking Spanish as a second language. The lessons encourage the natural development of language skills in order: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The goal is for the student to be able to express their basics needs in Spanish. Oral and written activities are used to teach basic vocabulary and structure that is related to daily activities. Fifth grade students will continue to enrich their Spanish vocabulary and skills through activities related to their daily lives.