Specials

The K-4 elementary vocal music curriculum focuses upon the development of independent musicianship. Singing is the foundation of all music skills as the voice is the instrument. Music skills are sequentially taught through the musical processes of performing, responding, creating and connecting. Students develop independent musicianship by learning to read and write musical notation through grade appropriate songs. Exploring movement and creating new arrangements of music through song games and rounds allows students to make choices towards innovative solutions. Students listen and respond to music making cultural connections with language arts, social studies, art, and science through interdisciplinary learning. Communicating through the language of music enables students to independently explore the world around them through self-expression.

Students in grades K-4 explore and create art work using subject matter of architecture, design, landscape, portrait, still life, and symbol systems. They have many opportunities to explore a variety of materials while building and practicing skills and techniques that increase in complexity with each grade. Art units integrate classroom themes in language arts, social studies, math, and science, and students develop an ability to transfer and apply knowledge from one situation to another, which results in deep authentic learning. Following the Arts Propel model of perception, production and reflection, students gain understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and their role in the world around them, across cultures and throughout history.

Physical Education: In second grade students continue to refine fundamental manipulative, loco-motor and non-locomotor skills with a strong focus on demonstrating mature form for selected skills. Students also begin to become more sophisticated in using the vocabulary of movement related to Body, Effort and Space concepts. Second grade students are engaged in a variety of individual, partner and small group activities with a focus on using their emerging skills in developmentally appropriate activities in games, exercise, gymnastics and adventure activities. In second grade students begin to understand the components of fitness and start to become familiar with assessments for each. The learning environment is focused on students developing their competence, confidence and persistence in movement.

Health & Wellness: Throughout the elementary curriculum Farmington students are provided opportunities to acquire the basic knowledge, skills and health literacy related to living a healthy and balanced life. Across the curriculum students gain the knowledge and confidence to make healthy decisions and to respect their bodies and minds as well as those of others.