We believe in the integration of the arts into the overall curriculum. In addition to specialist-taught enrichment classes, instruction in the arts is strongly evident in each classroom. Art, music, and drama are part of the literature, social studies and science curricula on an ongoing basis. Children are natural and uninhibited artists, actors and musicians. Our goal is to provide a stimulating environment for exposure, expression and enjoyment! Art and music specialists introduce students to more specific skills and concepts within each field while working closely with classroom teachers to integrate the arts across the curriculum.
Studio Art
Students learn that there is no such thing as a mistake in art and individual differences in their work are prized. Art activities encourage increased understanding of the structure and language of visual representation. Students explore techniques in a rich selection of media including paint, clay, mosaics, fabric, print, and sculpture. Our extended class format encourages students to dive deeply into the project at hand, and Wednesday Workshop at lunch provides ever-popular open studio time. Some assignments extend and enhance core classroom topics or support an upcoming performance with props, set, and costume design. Creative expression offers the opportunity for students to know themselves in new ways and to appreciate their own and each other's uniqueness.
Music
The music program at Windrush is designed to foster children's natural love and appreciation of music while building a strong foundation of music skills and ability. The work of composers Carl Orff and Zoltan Kodaly inspires musical activities ranging from singing, dancing and games, to xylophone and percussion ensemble work.
Canons, imitation, and improvisation are used to develop vocal and instrumental facility. The use of poetry and dance stimulates imaginative musical accompaniments while enhancing reading and large motor coordination. Rhythmic ability and pitch discrimination naturally improve as the students work together to achieve musical goals. Throughout the curriculum, musical vocabulary and the solfege syllables are taught along with age-appropriate musical notation.
In third grade, all students learn to play the recorder and increasingly challenging xylophone arrangements. The fourth and fifth grades are introduced to the 12-bar blues, body percussion, jazz drumming, and baritone ukelele, Students are encouraged to learn to play an instrument; experienced student musicians are integrated and highlighted as ensemble work becomes more dynamic and interdependent. Pieces involve complex and layered textures as well as multi-part forms, requiring students to develop listening and memory skills, sharpen playing abilities, and make decisions during live performance!
