2013-14 PK-8 Arts and Enrichment Programs

In light of the consolidation of the Lower and Middle Schools, we felt it important to let you know what offerings your child will be receiving in regard to PK-8 Arts and Enrichment programming at Darlington for the 2013-14 school year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

The following faculty members will be teaching in this program. Look for bios on our website soon to find out more about our new fine arts faculty members.

Wendy Shaw
Pre-K, K, and 1st Grade Visual Art 
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Visual Art

Jennifer Moore
2nd – 8th Grade Visual Art

Anna Mertz
Pre-K – 5th Grade General Music
4th and 5th Grade Chorus
6th – 8th Grade Music Instruction Technology

Rebecca Duren
6th – 8th Grade Chorus

Kim Tunnell
6th – 8th Grade Musical Theater

Chris Holloway
4th – 8th Grade Band

Annie Camp
3rd – 8th Grade String Orchestra

Ashley Evans
Pre-K – 5th Grade Spanish

Darcy Liddle
Pre-K – 8th Grade PE
6th – 8th Grade Adventure Sports

Tommy Atha
Pre-K – 8th Grade PE
6th – 8th Grade Fitness

Jennifer Helbing
6th – 8th Grade Study Skills

Rebekah Kinney
6th – 8th Grade Robotics

Liz Overberg
6th – 8th Grade Multimedia Production

John Plough
6th – 8th Grade Drama

Early Learning Academy: (Pre-K, K, and Pre-1st)
Students will receive instruction in Visual Art, General Music, PE, and Spanish twice a week for 30 minutes. Students will also go to the library once a week for 45 minutes.

1st and 2nd Grades:
Students will receive instruction in Visual Art, General Music, PE, and Spanish twice a week for 30 minutes. There is a slight change with regard to our strings program for these two grade levels. To support the reading development that is occurring at this level, we will structure music to follow those same appropriate developmental strengths. In first grade, string instruments will be taught in the second semester for 4-6 weeks. In second grade, strings will be offered again to reinforce and begin thinking about the third-grade strings class. During the 4-6-week time period, this class will be taught collaboratively with Ms. Mertz and Mrs. Camp to strengthen music reading and skills in a classroom setting. By restructuring this program, we are allowing more exposure to instruments, music reading and skill in general so that students will feel confident making an instrument choice beginning in the third grade. Additionally, we hope to offer the string class as a part of our after-school arts program for these two grade levels, and students are also encouraged to begin instrument study through the Darlington Lessons Academy.

3rd, 4th and 5th Grades:
Students will continue study in Visual Art, PE and Spanish with a few choices offered for music instruction. These classes will occur twice a week for 45 minutes. In third grade, students may choose String Orchestra or General Music. In fourth and fifth grades, students may choose to be part of the Band, String Orchestra or continue in the General Music class. Students will sign up for these classes during the first week of school. All fourth- and fifth-grade students will participate in Chorus once a week for 45 minutes.

6th, 7th, and 8th Grades:

ARTS BLOCK

Students in grades 6-8 have a great opportunity to participate in an Arts Block for the 2013-14 school year. During this scheduled time, they will be able to participate in one of five arts disciplines offered below.

Visual Art taught by Jennifer Moore and Wendy Shaw
If you love to draw and create, this is the class for you. Students will develop and enhance artistic skills in various mediums over the course of the year.  Mrs. Moore will teach this class and will lead students in their journey to experience art in various ways.

Orchestra taught by Annie Camp
If you play or have played a string instrument, join this class! Students who play string instruments in grades 6-8 will come together as an orchestra to continue instrumental study. This class will perform throughout the year in seasonal concerts and community performances.

Chorus taught by Rebecca Duren
Students wishing to sing and develop vocally have the opportunity to be a member of the Chorus. This group will work on the development of the voice, continue to improve reading skills and sing a variety of styles of music. This class will also perform seasonal and community concerts.

Drama taught by John Plough
This class is for students interested in performing. Students will experience a wide range of performance opportunities, including putting on plays and filming movies. The class will focus on experiencing different modes of storytelling as well as building confidence. Students need not have any prior acting experience – just a willingness to work collaboratively and try new things. However, students who have been involved in theater in the past will enjoy this class and be challenged, too.

Band taught by Chris Holloway
Students who play percussion and wind instruments should sign up for this class. They will enjoy a variety of styles of music, developing and improving reading and playing skills, and becoming better musicians overall.  

ENRICHMENT

Instead of Activity classes that rotate this year, your student will have another Enrichment offering that will meet each day following Arts Block and Advisee meetings. The choices for this block of time each day are:

Art Workshop taught by Jennifer Moore
This second arts offering allows students to focus on individual interests and projects to create and showcase through various mediums and opportunities. Students will continue to learn about art and its history in this experience.

Jazz Band taught by Chris Holloway
This class is a great opportunity for band members in grades 6-8 to learn and play jazz music. Students need to be currently enrolled in Band and have at least two years of experience in Band.

Music Instruction Tech taught by Anna Mertz
If you enjoy using GarageBand on your ipad or MacBook and also like the thought of creating your own music or learning more about this, you will enjoy this experience in music technology. You will also learn to read music and some basic skills in keyboard instruction. This class will focus on developing skills and creating projects related to music and recording.
 
Musical Theater taught by Kim Tunnell
If you like to sing and dance, this is the class for you. Join us as we learn about the style of musical theater and its history, while developing your skills in becoming a better singer.

Multimedia Production taught by Liz Overberg
In this course, students will work with various software and Web 2.0 technologies to create several multimedia projects with real-world applications. The projects will be based largely on school and community events and student interests. (In other words, students in this course will create and communicate information as the need or interest arises.) There will be plenty of opportunities for students to direct their own instruction, so enthusiastic and curious learners will do well in this course. Students must be good independent workers, collaborators and time managers. Experience with multimedia technologies like iMovie, Prezi, ComicLife, Photoshop, Glogster and GarageBand is recommended, but not required. 

Robotics taught by Rebecca Kinney
Students will have the opportunity to design, build, and program robots using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technology. The course will allow them to apply real-world math and science concepts while completing unique challenges.  

Fitness taught by Tommy Atha
This class will consist of weight lifting, strength and agility, aerobics, swimming, and various forms of fitness training. 

Outdoor Adventure taught by Darcy Liddle
This class will expose students to basics of adventure racing, such as kayaking, trail running, biking and swimming.

Study Skills taught by Jennifer Helbing
This course will focus on study habits, organization and time management. Students will have the opportunity to “practice” these skills in daily life, as well as to find discover which are the best techniques for them to use. This class is not meant to give additional work, but to assist students in the work they have from other courses.

Learning Center taught by Learning Center Staff
Placement in the Teaching and Learning Center course is not an option for all students. This is only an option for those students who have been identified for service through the Teaching and Learning Center. This time will be used for work with the learning specialist.

Prospective students and parents may contact DeLean Brandon to learn more about Darlington's PK-8 program or to schedule a campus visit today!