Knowledge and skills that students acquire through fine arts instruction include the abilities to think critically, solve problems resourcefully, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, understand historical and cultural perspectives, and exercise creative thinking by employing originality, flexibility, and imagination.
MUSIC: In order for students to meet the state standards, music education and music programs have to start at an early age in order to have the greatest effect on students’ education. Just as with all academic subjects, students must have access to learning rudimentary concepts that can be built upon throughout their school career. General music instruction begins in kindergarten and provides varied experiences for students to learn the fundamentals of melody, pitch, rhythm, and musical expression. Quality experiences are provided through movement activities, as well as pitched instrument (such as resonator bells and Orff instruments) and non-pitched instrument (such as hand drums and claves) exploration. Students are also provided experiences in playing other instruments such as ukulele, guitar and recorder. Instruction is delivered using an array of resources such as music textbooks, technology, and listening experiences. All of these varied activities will ensure state standards are met and subsequently prepare students for further music instruction.
ART: Our goals in art are to provide art experiences that will stimulate the “whole growth” of each child; to develop understanding of art concepts and skills; to increase knowledge, as art concepts and skills are taught and practiced in relationship to the students' man-made, imaginative and natural environments and in relationship to other curriculum disciplines; to promote cooperation while stressing individualism; and to promote self-esteem and a feeling of accomplishment.
All students are taught Visual Art lessons through five specific content strands: Creative Process; Critical Thinking and Communication; History, Culture, and Citizenship; Innovation in the Arts; and Technique and Application and one overlying strand: Safety. Students are given opportunities to develop ideas through a creative process as well as develop critical thinking skills to evaluate information that is conveyed visually. Through art, students connect knowledge and skills from a variety of academic areas to communicate and to find solutions to problems of creation, design, and execution. They develop individual expression and the ability to work collaboratively to achieve common artistic goals while using materials, methods, information, and technology in a safe and healthy manner.
Art concepts and skills are taught separately as well as incorporated into the production of art work and discussed in response to the students’ work, fine art prints and art objects. Each lesson is open-ended allowing for many interpretations and closings, encouraging independent student learning and exploration. Student’s participation and willingness to experiment with new ideas, methods and materials is stressed.
In Kindergarten, emphasis is placed on trying and experimenting. We work on not giving up and learn that making mistakes is really no big deal. We can always change it into something else. 1st grade focuses on patterns and repetition, sequencing and algorithms. 2nd grade works more with paper manipulation and we study Egyptian and Chinese culture. 3rd and 4th grade students work more with contemporary media. We set assignments in google classroom and work more with Google drawing, Autodraw and Sketchpad. In 5th and 6th grade we do a lot of artist studies. We look at how and why an artist creates and then create our own art pieces using the artist as our inspiration.
MUSIC: Provide a variety of music experiences for your student. These can include listening together. There are wonderful musical stories such as Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf that introduce children to instruments of the orchestra. You can ask your child, how does the music make you feel? Is the music fast, or slow, loud or quiet. What instruments do you recognize? You can talk about music you hear while watching a movie. How the music help to tell the story? You can also include going to concerts, whether it is classical music or a local concert at the park. Concerts of all genres will provide students with eclectic experiences. If your budget allows you can provide private lessons. We have several private teachers in our area that will give quality instrumental lessons to your student. Creative movement can also be explored at home. You can encourage your child to express themselves with improvised movement, or they can learn choreographed dances.
ART: You can talk with your children about their art and about art and images in general.
When looking at a picture either drawn, in a book, etc. ask them to: Describe what they see: colors, shapes, patterns, lines, people, what’s in the background, etc. Ask them to tell you how the picture makes them feel, what’s going on, what’s happening, what’s going to happen, etc. Ask them to talk about the features in the picture that makes them feel/think that way. Validate their opinions but know it is ok to share your opinions as well. Conversion is a two way street. Explain why you feel the way you do. Remark on how cool it is that you both can think something different. If someone else is around, see if they have a different interpretation as well. If you want to take it further, look up the artist and painting of a specific piece of art and find the artist's intentions.