Kindergarten and First Grade Classes

Since 1980 children have explored the arts with exciting and fun-filled activities far beyond what is currently offered by other school programs. Our Kindergarten and First Grade classes are each self-contained.  The curriculums are educationally enriching and age appropriate.  Each class is a lively and imaginative place for learning.

The focus and major emphasis of this part of our program is to develop an informed appreciation of art through the four interrelated disciplines in art education: Aesthetic Appreciation, Creative Expression, Visual Arts and Informed Judgment.  It is designed to provide the students with the freedom to express themselves through a variety of learning experiences, which encourages self-esteem and confidence through participation in activities focusing on individual learning styles.  This is a developmentally appropriate program. It is organized to integrate the disciplines to help students connect their sensory experiences, thoughts, feelings, ideas into their own personal work.    The objectives of this program are grounded in the theory of Howard Gardner's “Seven Intelligence’s”, which states that each of us has a very special way of learning.  By implementing activities which specifically address each one of the learning styles, every child is ensured a successful and rewarding experience.

Perceptual Awareness is a primary focus of this program.  It teaches students to use their senses, knowledge and feelings to find meaning in their environment and in works of art.  Lessons and activities are designed to heighten students’ abilities to see subtle variation in lines, colors, texture and other visual elements.  Students will explore patterns, proportions, types of balance and vocabulary.

Visual Awareness will emphasize the introduction of artistic traditions from around the world - Europe, America, Africa and Asia.  Artistic achievements of women and ethnic groups will be presented along with important influences and trends in art.  This will help to acquaint students with the diverse styles and interpretations of art.  Drawing, painting, mask-making, pattern activities, print making and multi-cultural activities will be incorporated to encourage this area.  We will explore cave art, create a mummy, weave fabric and learn the printing techniques of ancient Japan.

Creative expression in art, at the kindergarten level, is designed to encourage and develop the confidence to create individual ideas and use the imagination.  Students will explore a variety of media and two- and three-dimensional art forms.  Each activity is developmentally appropriate, emphasizing individual learning styles and self-esteem.  Sculpture, clay, painting, collages, weaving and texture experiences will be emphasized in this area.

Informed Judgment introduces students to the process of perceiving, analyzing, and interpreting their own work of art. Students will be encouraged to analyze and interpret the ideas and feelings conveyed in paintings by Vincent Van Gough, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mary Cassatt and other famous artists.  The students will discuss the use of color, texture and subject matter and critique the message each technique conveys.  "How does the artist want you to feel?"  "What is the story told in the painting?"  By simply talking about the nature of art, learning to distinguish between art forms and identifying the effect of color and texture in art, the students will have a deeper connection with their own creations.  In this area we will also explore authors, their illustrations and explore the themes they have presented.  We will learn the techniques Eric Carle, Ezra Jack Keats, and Tana Hofan use when illustrating their books.

In the performing arts many separate disciplines -drama, body language and creativity expression- will be encouraged to create a product.  The students will experience this kind of integration by composing a performance of their own which will include music, movement, and costumes.  This will allow for a kinesthetic form of artistic interpretation.

Although the students will experience the satisfaction of completing many projects, the main focus of our time will be on the "process of doing what artists do… creating art!"  The ideas and efforts of each student will be highly valued and encouraged.  At the end of our program your child's finished products will be professionally displayed, reinforcing the value and appreciation of each student's effort and creativity.   The five-week program culminates with an amazing Art Exhibit of over 500 original pieces of artwork one evening during the last week of the program  There are 4 assistants and one teacher in each of these classrooms to support and inspire each student to reach their individual potential. 

2nd through 5th Grades Programs

Visual Arts
Through the language and vocabulary of the visual arts, students explore a variety of material using paint, pastels, India ink, plaster, metals, clay and many other unusual materials.  The students create on paper, stretched canvas, blocks of wood and fabric and produce many amazing projects!  Students learn the power of their own imagination and how amazingly capable they are.  They build freestanding, three-dimensional structures and mobiles in cardboard, wood, wire and mixed media.  Each day the children experience line, shape, color, space, texture and rhythm of their creations and learn to take risks using their imagination to create their unusual works of art.  There are 4 assistants and 1 teacher in the Visual Arts classroom of 25 students.  We also bring in Visiting Artists from our community to work with directly with the children. Our program culminates with an amazing Art Exhibit and Open House which displays over 1000 pieces of artwork produced exclusively by the children in less than 5 weeks.

Drama
Children become aware of their five senses as well as the use of their bodies and imaginations as a form of expression in drama classes.  Through storytelling and improvisational games they learn to be brave, daring and expressive with their creative energy.  The classes inspire children to come up with their own ideas and they learn to respect each other and themselves.  Through drama, children are encouraged to open their minds and see people as human beyond race, age, and social status and they learn to be fully in the moment, aware and focused.  Part of our holistic approach to performance education includes providing drama students with the experiences that assist them to discover all the aspects of learning which contribute to the development of the WHOLE child –mind, body and spirit.

Music
The goal of our music program is to nurture the human spirit of young people through musical instruction and performance.  We provide learning and performing opportunities promoting artistic appreciation of singing and playing musical instruments.

Offering both instrumental and vocal classes, the music curriculum promotes self-discovery, self-discipline and self-expression.  We focus on fostering the student’s personal and artistic development through activities designed for discovery, learning, skill mastery, sharing teamwork, and growth. 

Dance
Children discover the joy of expressing themselves through their bodies in dance class.  Individually and in groups, they are empowered to use their bodies to physically express the wonder that lives in their imaginations.  Exploring their world through movement, they incorporate all the elements of dance-space, time, energy, movement, and shape.

As choreographers, children create dances from their imagination and from traditional forms.  They also explore dance as a vehicle for expressing their own stories and those of other traditional cultures.  Through movement they fine their own courage to engage their bodies.  And….they also develop the tools for self-expression and how we are all inter-connected to one another.

Creative Thinking
The curriculum is based on workshops written by Paul Fisher entitled “Brain Blasting®" and "the path of theatre" which are offered to both adults and children throughout the Tucson area.   These successful, motivational experiences analyze and teach innovation, creativity, types of thinking and the sources of our ideas.

Each student will experience the following through a variety of activities:

Before/After Extended Art Classes

These art classes compliment the regular classroom instruction.  Each class is carefully structured to meet the needs of a varied age group and draws on the uniquely positive learning environment created by such variety. Creative activities are presented in a way that is developmentally beneficial for all participants.

The students will use critical thinking skills to examine, judge, interpret, and then create their own original piece of art.  The student’s creativity and individual style is always valued and encouraged.  A wide variety of materials and techniques will be explored and the students will continue to use and develop a greater understanding of the elements of art and principles of design.  As students move from one activity to the next, they will be exposed to ancient and modern cultures in many geographical areas around the world.