Art, French, Music & PE

The objective of the elementary school art program at Morris Brandon is for the students to be able to produce their own artwork using the Elements and Principles of Design.  We strive to create an environment where a child feels free to express themselves.

Instruction in art provides special opportunities for students to develop cognitive and perceptual skills: finding the meaning of visual symbols, analyzing a work of art to find its many components, making judgments based on formal criteria and personal impressions.  Art provides access to cultural heritage and provides opportunities for students to make original contributions and experience pride of workmanship.

Scope and Sequence

Kindergarten:

VAKPR.2- Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (e.g., drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Types of lines, identifying shapes, primary colors, identifying 3D forms, placement of objects on the picture plane to distance

First Grade:

VA1PR.2- Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Identifies and creates types of lines and lines that outline shapes, identifies shapes including organic shapes, mixes primary colors to create secondary colors, identifying 3D forms, overlapping and horizon line to create distance

Second Grade:

VA2PR.2-Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Directional line; identify and create types of shapes/geometric v. organic shapes; warm/cool colors; 2D v. 3D forms; horizon line, size, placement to create depth; positive/negative space

Third Grade:

VA3PR.2- Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Directional and expressive line; geometric v. organic shape; warm/cool colors, intermediate, complementary colors; size, overlapping, placement detail to create depth; positive v. negative space

Fourth Grade:

VA4PR.2-Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Contour line; geometric v. organic shapes; analogous, complementary, monochromatic colorschemes; linear perspective; positive v. negative space

Fifth Grade:

VA5PR.2- Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.

• Contour line; geometric v. organic; analogous, complementary, monochromatic colorschemes and color to express emotion; linear perspective; positive v. negative space

Bonjour!!  

The Morris Brandon French teachers focus mainly on oral proficiency. Getting the kids speaking is vital. This happens through competitions, role-plays, skits, interviews, asking students to create raps, working in pairs or groups, and presenting projects, etc. When students have opportunities to speak in an activity that is contextualized, meaningful, and connected to their real world experience, as well as opportunities to negotiate meaning with each other, they progress more rapidly in second language acquisition.

The French teachers use different methodologies and a lot of scaffolding (gestures, flash cards, songs, technology, etc.) to reach each learner. We take a natural approach and aim to stay in French for at least 90% of the class period. Students begin learning more grammar and producing more writing in fourth and fifth grades.

We strive to continually integrate the four language skills: speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Communicative Language Teaching is at the core of our lesson plan. We expect students to be great listeners, to participate enthusiastically, and to appreciate the rare opportunity to be part of an articulated Pre-K - 12th grade Foreign Language International Baccalaureate program.

Performance Standards for K-12 Music

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Reading and notating music.
4. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
5. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history in culture.
10. Moving, alone and with others, to a varied repertoire of music.

 

Curriculum Highlights:

K: simple rhythms, melodies, intro to classroom instruments, high/low, loud/quiet, fast/slow, appropriate audience behavior.

1st: foreign language songs, appropriate instrument technique, melodic patterns on a reduced staff, improvise soundscapes, create new text for familiar melodies, contrasts (pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre).

2nd: sing, play, and improvise pentatonic melodies, speech canons, rounds, ostinato, intermediate rhythms, treble clef staff, AB/ABA form, allegro/adagio, forte/piano, mood, orchestral instruments, line and circle dances.

3rd: octave singing range, meter, time signatures, improvise pentatonic accompaniments, rhythmic motives, rondo form, function of music in various cultures.

4th: partner songs, vocal/choral harmony, conductor cues, advanced rhythmic and melodic notation, folk instruments, SATB, function of music in various time periods, folk dances.

5th: phrasing, expressive interpretation, major scales, theme and variation, compose in various styles, world instruments, careers in music.

All students at Morris Brandon participate in Physical Education 2 days each week in addition to their daily recess.

Kindergarten and First:

• Develop personal responsibility.
• Motor skills
• Body awareness
• Movement concepts
• Beginning of basic skill development

Second and Third:   

• Developing individual skills and knowledge of skills.
• Continue developing personal responsibility.

Fourth and Fifth: 

• Continue to develop individual skills and applying skills in modified game settings.
• Promoting personal responsibility.