Specials Curriculum
Introduction | Art Program | Music Program
Spanish | Physical Education | Computer
Introduction
The K-8 program has opportunities for students to explore and shine in our specials curriculum. Students K-5 participate in Art, Music, Spanish Computer and PE. As students enter the upper intermediate grades (4-5), they may elect to join the school’s beginning band. All middle school students participate in a wheel that includes Music, Art, PE and Technology. Middle school students may choose to participate in jazz band or high school Spanish I.
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Art Program
The Art Program focus, aim and objectives are for students to gain an appreciation for art and perhaps discover new means of self-expression within them. The program exposes the students to the visual language, to creative thinking and learning to communicate through various art methods and experiences. The students use many 3 dimensional and 2 dimensional mediums and make connections to the outside world. Ideas will be expressed and applied through drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, design and glass. Students also learn art history, participate in critiques, study artists, make multicultural and interdisciplinary connections and have opportunities to exhibit their artwork in shows and contests including Embracing Our Differences.
At the Primary K-1 levels students are introduced to the basic art elements and principles of design beginning with color and line and how they can be used realistically and expressively in art. The Intermediate grades incorporate the elements of art and principles of design. Early intermediate students use different clays to make clay pots and incorporate Florida shells, rocks and minerals into the pieces. Upper intermediate students study color, balance, line, rhythm, movement, pattern, contrast, focal point, drawing techniques and collage. At the Middle School level, students work to refine their skills and advance in more specific areas of study. Students work on a self-portrait unit, learning to draw their faces using accurate proportions and using color and line to express their personalities and emotions. Students also work on an intensive glass and fused glass unit learning the science of glass art and creating small pieces of fused glass, fused glass bowls and tile work. Students are exposed to multicultural art and artists, art creation in the style of historical art and a diverse range of artworks. The purpose and meaning of the art is discovered visually, through interactive learning and art creation.
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Music Program
Music is a universal language and experience; the study of which enables students to appreciate diverse cultures and historical periods. Music is a form of human intelligence, which can be developed. Students develop their musical potential through organizing, listening, performing, creating and describing music. Our students will develop into adults who value and support music in their communities according to their own capacities as consumers, donors, and enthusiasts as well as those directly involved in the music industry.
In our music program, students in grades K-5 meet weekly. Orff instruments and techniques are utilized throughout the curriculum. Standard notation is taught through the study of the recorder in grades 2 and 3. Students in grades 4/5 may take introduction to an instrument or the beginning band elective. Students in middle school can choose to take a Jazz Band elective. General music classes follow and meet the standards and grade level expectations specified by the state of Florida. GFA utilizes the latest edition of the Silver Burdett Making Music basal series, which was developed by Music Educators National Conference.
Students begin instruction on recorder in the second and third grade. This teaches them to read music and perform individually and as part of a group. Students can begin the study of a band instrument in the fourth grade. The skills learned through the study of the recorder are transferred and expanded upon through the study of a band instrument. Concert Band and Middle School Jazz Band use a high tech program called Smart Music. It is a practice and assessment tool that enhances learning and makes practicing fun. It is the future of instrumental education. The musical abilities of our students are showcased during various musical programs throughout the year.
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Spanish
Spanish is offered to introduce students to a world growing all around them where people speak differently and have different views. The students learn to communicate in this language by activities which promote an understanding of a much bigger global community. The classes utilize language, music, art, foods, history and geography to experience their cultures and develop an appreciation of the Spanish speaking people. Having a diverse Spanish curriculum assures that all children’s educational needs are met. A variety of activities are experienced including games, music, art, stories, history, culture, food, vocabulary and grammar activities, and conversational presentations.
The Spanish curriculum Viva El Espanol! in K-5 includes flashcards, assessments, cultural resources, puppets and crafts. In middle school, Spanish is offered as an elective course taught for High School Spanish I credit. The program, Realidades, includes a textbook, CD’s with native speakers and songs, DVD programs for each lesson, DVD grammar clips and 2 workbooks. Students are required to earn a cumulative 85% average to earn the High School credit.
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Physical Education
The Physical Education curriculum provides the opportunity for its students to be introduced to and to participate in various types of sport and recreational game activities. Physical education class activities promote the development of the fitness components of muscular-skeletal strength and endurance, large muscle group flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Students will also develop the components of sport fitness, which includes, stamina, neuromuscular velocity, compound movement co-ordination, hand-eye coordination, and hand dexterity. Through class discussions and learning centers, students learn about how the motor systems of the body are inter-related and how that relationship effects one’s physical, social, mental, and emotional state of being. The importance of cardiovascular health is strongly emphasized through the constant aerobic activities used during class time. The intent of our physical education class is to present numerous “fun” and physically beneficial activities to help spark the desire of the students to be active daily and to continue an active lifestyle throughout their adult life.
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Computer
The K-8 Technology Curriculum emphasizes technology as a ‘way of doing things’ – the fundamental processes, tools and techniques that promote productivity in the 21st Century. Students gain general technological awareness, expertise with painting, drawing and graphics tools, word processing, use of the Internet for research, keyboarding, multimedia production, electronic presentation, desktop publishing, and use of databases and spreadsheets. The goal is for students to become: “capable information technology users, information seekers, analyzers and evaluators, problem solvers and decision makers, creative and effective users of productivity tools, and communicators, collaborators, publishers and producers, informed, responsible and contributing citizens.” (National Educational Technology Standards for Students, p. 4) Students are guided in applying ethical and moral values when using technology, particularly the internet. Recent technology initiatives have upgraded computers across our campus and added three technology classrooms in the Upper School Building.
Primary students are provided with a basic introduction to computers, programs and work on the ability to follow simple instructions, building complex ideas from simple steps, publishing drawings, saving and revising work. Early Intermediate students work on beginning publishing skills, saving and revising, the ability to follow multiple instructions, in order, beginning research and beginning computer ethics. Upper Intermediate students improve their publishing skills, follow complex multiple instructions, improve research skills, start beginning logic skills and continue computer ethics. The Middle School program is based on final review of basic computer skills, continuing computer ethics, finding areas of interest for the students and addressing them. It is our goal to give students the foundation to become fluent with information technology so they are able to express themselves creatively, to construct knowledge, and to synthesize and evaluate new information in their work and personal lives now and in the future.
[top]
Specials Curriculum
Introduction | Art Program | Music Program
Spanish | Physical Education | Computer
Introduction
The K-8 program has opportunities for students to explore and shine in our specials curriculum. Students K-5 participate in Art, Music, Spanish Computer and PE. As students enter the upper intermediate grades (4-5), they may elect to join the school’s beginning band. All middle school students participate in a wheel that includes Music, Art, PE and Technology. Middle school students may choose to participate in jazz band or high school Spanish I.
[top]
Art Program
The Art Program focus, aim and objectives are for students to gain an appreciation for art and perhaps discover new means of self-expression within them. The program exposes the students to the visual language, to creative thinking and learning to communicate through various art methods and experiences. The students use many 3 dimensional and 2 dimensional mediums and make connections to the outside world. Ideas will be expressed and applied through drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, design and glass. Students also learn art history, participate in critiques, study artists, make multicultural and interdisciplinary connections and have opportunities to exhibit their artwork in shows and contests including Embracing Our Differences.
At the Primary K-1 levels students are introduced to the basic art elements and principles of design beginning with color and line and how they can be used realistically and expressively in art. The Intermediate grades incorporate the elements of art and principles of design. Early intermediate students use different clays to make clay pots and incorporate Florida shells, rocks and minerals into the pieces. Upper intermediate students study color, balance, line, rhythm, movement, pattern, contrast, focal point, drawing techniques and collage. At the Middle School level, students work to refine their skills and advance in more specific areas of study. Students work on a self-portrait unit, learning to draw their faces using accurate proportions and using color and line to express their personalities and emotions. Students also work on an intensive glass and fused glass unit learning the science of glass art and creating small pieces of fused glass, fused glass bowls and tile work. Students are exposed to multicultural art and artists, art creation in the style of historical art and a diverse range of artworks. The purpose and meaning of the art is discovered visually, through interactive learning and art creation.
[top]
Music Program
Music is a universal language and experience; the study of which enables students to appreciate diverse cultures and historical periods. Music is a form of human intelligence, which can be developed. Students develop their musical potential through organizing, listening, performing, creating and describing music. Our students will develop into adults who value and support music in their communities according to their own capacities as consumers, donors, and enthusiasts as well as those directly involved in the music industry.
In our music program, students in grades K-5 meet weekly. Orff instruments and techniques are utilized throughout the curriculum. Standard notation is taught through the study of the recorder in grades 2 and 3. Students in grades 4/5 may take introduction to an instrument or the beginning band elective. Students in middle school can choose to take a Jazz Band elective. General music classes follow and meet the standards and grade level expectations specified by the state of Florida. GFA utilizes the latest edition of the Silver Burdett Making Music basal series, which was developed by Music Educators National Conference.
Students begin instruction on recorder in the second and third grade. This teaches them to read music and perform individually and as part of a group. Students can begin the study of a band instrument in the fourth grade. The skills learned through the study of the recorder are transferred and expanded upon through the study of a band instrument. Concert Band and Middle School Jazz Band use a high tech program called Smart Music. It is a practice and assessment tool that enhances learning and makes practicing fun. It is the future of instrumental education. The musical abilities of our students are showcased during various musical programs throughout the year.
[top]
Spanish
Spanish is offered to introduce students to a world growing all around them where people speak differently and have different views. The students learn to communicate in this language by activities which promote an understanding of a much bigger global community. The classes utilize language, music, art, foods, history and geography to experience their cultures and develop an appreciation of the Spanish speaking people. Having a diverse Spanish curriculum assures that all children’s educational needs are met. A variety of activities are experienced including games, music, art, stories, history, culture, food, vocabulary and grammar activities, and conversational presentations.
The Spanish curriculum Viva El Espanol! in K-5 includes flashcards, assessments, cultural resources, puppets and crafts. In middle school, Spanish is offered as an elective course taught for High School Spanish I credit. The program, Realidades, includes a textbook, CD’s with native speakers and songs, DVD programs for each lesson, DVD grammar clips and 2 workbooks. Students are required to earn a cumulative 85% average to earn the High School credit.
[top]
Physical Education
The Physical Education curriculum provides the opportunity for its students to be introduced to and to participate in various types of sport and recreational game activities. Physical education class activities promote the development of the fitness components of muscular-skeletal strength and endurance, large muscle group flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Students will also develop the components of sport fitness, which includes, stamina, neuromuscular velocity, compound movement co-ordination, hand-eye coordination, and hand dexterity. Through class discussions and learning centers, students learn about how the motor systems of the body are inter-related and how that relationship effects one’s physical, social, mental, and emotional state of being. The importance of cardiovascular health is strongly emphasized through the constant aerobic activities used during class time. The intent of our physical education class is to present numerous “fun” and physically beneficial activities to help spark the desire of the students to be active daily and to continue an active lifestyle throughout their adult life.
[top]
Computer
The K-8 Technology Curriculum emphasizes technology as a ‘way of doing things’ – the fundamental processes, tools and techniques that promote productivity in the 21st Century. Students gain general technological awareness, expertise with painting, drawing and graphics tools, word processing, use of the Internet for research, keyboarding, multimedia production, electronic presentation, desktop publishing, and use of databases and spreadsheets. The goal is for students to become: “capable information technology users, information seekers, analyzers and evaluators, problem solvers and decision makers, creative and effective users of productivity tools, and communicators, collaborators, publishers and producers, informed, responsible and contributing citizens.” (National Educational Technology Standards for Students, p. 4) Students are guided in applying ethical and moral values when using technology, particularly the internet. Recent technology initiatives have upgraded computers across our campus and added three technology classrooms in the Upper School Building.
Primary students are provided with a basic introduction to computers, programs and work on the ability to follow simple instructions, building complex ideas from simple steps, publishing drawings, saving and revising work. Early Intermediate students work on beginning publishing skills, saving and revising, the ability to follow multiple instructions, in order, beginning research and beginning computer ethics. Upper Intermediate students improve their publishing skills, follow complex multiple instructions, improve research skills, start beginning logic skills and continue computer ethics. The Middle School program is based on final review of basic computer skills, continuing computer ethics, finding areas of interest for the students and addressing them. It is our goal to give students the foundation to become fluent with information technology so they are able to express themselves creatively, to construct knowledge, and to synthesize and evaluate new information in their work and personal lives now and in the future.
[top]
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