The Lower School Arts Program curriculum develops the unique capabilities that foster originality, imagination, creativity, flexibility and pride. Art instruction begins in the earliest grades in the Three's Program, while woodworking begins in Kindergarten.
The primary goal of the art curriculum is to help children develop their ability to create and respond to meaning in visual imagery. The Art curriculum is designed around three fundamental skills: Drawing, Painting and Sculpting. Learning basic skills allow students to better explore the other forms being used such as ceramics, murals, collage, storyboarding, mixed media and more.
Students are encouraged to ask questions with each and every project they create. They are also encouraged to ask questions about other artists to better understand other people's lives. Students are asked to explore the quailities of the materials, to experiment and problem solve, to express their own ideas and feeling and to reflect on their finished works and their works in progress.
Woodworking
The Woodworking curriculum for the Lower School is centered on 4 main objectives:
1. Teamwork and cooperation between students.
2. The practice of individual safety and awareness of others.
3. The development of tool usage and materials.
4. A lasting sense of accomplishment and success.
Students learn and practice a number of studio safety rules, develop motor skills via a variety of tool usage and hands-on processes to complete a project. An emphasis is placed on giving each project a "finished" quality by decorating and discussing the object's role in their lives (for functional purposes or for display).
Music Program
Creating and responding to music as well as performing music are the key principals which enrich one’s exposure and experiences with music. Music is an expression of human culture. Every student participates in a comprehensive study of music beginning in the Three's Program. Through a mix of Orff, Delcroze, and Kodaly methods, children learn the fundamentals of music (rhythm, beat, melody, meter) from songs, games, and percussion activities. Students are introduced to the keyboard in Kindergarten and begin more intensive study of the piano in the second grade. They learn vocal technique and play games that teach them the basics of music theory. Students also discover the basics of songwriting and singing in harmony.
Drama
First & Second Grade
Dramatic Play: Learning characterization and communication with the body and voice.
Third & Fourth Grade
Elements of Theater: Focused primarily on dramatic skill with an introduction to the other collaborative arts such as make-up, direction, play reading and others.
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