WELCOME
The Specials Team is excited about what the 2024-2025 school year has in store for our Mustang musicians, makers, readers, athletes, and artists! We're thrilled to offer a range of enriching activities, including body percussion sessions, rhythm and motion classes, and gamified art lessons. These innovative offerings aim to spark creativity, foster teamwork, and enhance cognitive development among our students. Additionally, our expanded library program will inspire a love of reading, while our integrated STEM curriculum will challenge students to think critically and solve problems in creative ways. Our goal is to provide engaging, high-quality enrichment for every TL Marsalis STEAM Academy scholar. With these engaging activities, we are confident it will be a fantastic year for all!
tudents will be grooving to the rhythm this year in Music Class! We will kick off the year with one of the most important musical concepts: the steady beat. The beat influences our lives as readers, dancers, movers, audience members, and in many other ways. We will explore the kinesthetic, auditory, and visual aspects of the beat. Students will also delve into percussion, composing their own beats with drumsticks and bucket drums.
Additionally, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students will have the opportunity to join the school choir. Auditions will be held this fall during specials.
It's going to be a harmonious year!
Here at Marsalis, Kindergarten through second-grade art class is conducted in a Teaching for Artistic Behavior (T.A.B.) format, where the student is the “artist” and the classroom is their “studio.” Students are encouraged to do what artists do: create their own personal and unique works of art. Each class session will begin with a short Social Emotional Learning practice designed to equip students with the skills necessary for a lifetime of managing emotions and making good decisions.
Our third, fourth, and fifth-grade artists will begin the year with our usual "All About Me" unit, where we explore identity through self-portraits and personal symbols. Students will express their unique sense of self, fostering self-awareness and appreciation for diversity. By studying traditional art forms from various cultures, they will create works inspired by global artistic traditions, enhancing their understanding of cultural heritage. Additionally, students will examine how geography influences art by exploring the relationship between people and their environments. These themes will inspire creativity and critical thinking, allowing students to express their thoughts and emotions through art.
In the library, Integrated STEM learning combines reading with one or more STEM subjects into a joint learning experience. This approach recognizes that each STEM subject offers overlapping, shared skills that prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century. By integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with reading, students can develop a holistic understanding of these disciplines. This method promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, ensuring that our students are well-equipped for future challenges and opportunities.
In Physical Education, students engage in a variety of movements and exercises to develop coordination, strength, and endurance. By participating in diverse physical activities, they not only improve their overall fitness but also learn the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, students build essential skills for teamwork, such as communication, cooperation, and problem-solving. Through team-based exercises and games, they discover how to work collaboratively towards common goals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-equipped with the physical and social skills necessary for their overall development.