Overview

The music program at Southfield offers opportunities for every child to experience a variety of forms of music. Music for preschool through fifth grade is a part of their weekly schedule. Orchestra and Eagle Singers (choir) are offered to Middle School students who wish to participate. Additionally, the convenience of private instruction in piano and Suzuki instruction in strings is available, at the parents’ expense, during the school day for those who wish to participate.

The musical experience at Southfield is one that nurtures creativity, expression of feelings, self-esteem, and the ability to cooperate with others. A program that includes singing, movement, playing instruments, folk dance, basic music reading skills, listening skills and music appreciation stimulates the child’s self-expression and motor development as well as enhances language and reading skills. The national music standards are addressed in creative ways to insure that important music skills and knowledge are a regular part of the learning process.

Music is a positive and creative outlet for all children at Southfield. It is especially important to the child who may not feel as successful in other areas. Activities are chosen that will challenge every child according to their ability and their learning style whether it is auditory, visual or tactile-kinesthetic. Individual and group work allows for critical thinking and more effective communication skills.

Finally, music is an integral part of the well-rounded education that children receive at Southfield. It is often used to reinforce learning that is going on in the classroom while developing music skills and talents.

The Orff-Schulwerk process of teaching music through singing, movement, playing instruments, rhythmic speech and improvisation is the primary focus in PS-5th grade music classes. The Kodaly method of teaching rhythm and pitch (including the use of Curwin hand signs) is interspersed with the Orff method to give each child a more complete musical experience.

Preschool Music

Students in Preschool and Kindergarten are introduced to the basic elements of music through singing, rhythms, ear training, movement in dance and the use of Orff instruments. Development of the singing voice and movement are the two most important components of music with children in Preschool and Kindergarten. Songs appropriate for the age of the child, pitch matching and proper use of the voice are the main objective when singing. Gross motor skills and working with the beat are the primary goals for movement. Music activities vary with grade level, but all include creativity, playing instruments, dancing, rhythmic speech and stories.

Expanding the horizons of children through exposure to multi-ethnic forms of music and integrating music with classroom studies strengthens the academic base of our students. Participating in performances such as annual holiday programs, Civilization Fair, May Pole for our Preschool Readiness students, and a Mardi Gras-themed musical for our Kindergarten students builds self-confidence and a sense of acceptance. All of these experiences lead to the development and growth of the total child.

Overview

Art is offered at Southfield from Kindergarten through eighth grade with a certified art specialist. Kindergarten has a 45 minute art session per week. First through fourth grade students have one 50 minute art session per week. Middle school students have a 50 minute art session daily for one nine weeks exploratory period.

Art vocabulary is introduced and reinforced throughout each grade level. The students are encouraged to use the proper terminology for art tools and methods in their daily assignments.

Drawing skills are reinforced throughout the grade levels according to the student’s developmental abilities. A variety of media are introduced and utilized in drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional work. Care and knowledge of materials are developed and reinforced at each grade level.

Art projects are introduced individually to provide opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking. Books, slides, and historical references are used to provide background information in the development of projects. Contemporary and student-produced examples are often used to provide a basis for understanding artists and their work and as inspiration for students. Contemporary art and historical references are used in projects to encourage students to overcome preconceptions, to extend the lesson beyond the classroom and to approach problem-solving from objective and subjective points of view.

Project themes are selected to correlate with the regular classroom curriculum, seasonal art, and to introduce or reinforce a particular art technique.

All grades are introduced to various media; such as paints(tempera, watercolor, acrylic), clay, sculptural materials, various papers (watercolor, drawing, rice, origami, construction), drawing media (pencil, pen, conte, pastellos, charcoal), and printmaking materials (linoleum, styrofoam, collograph, natural objects), and collage. Students learn the proper terminology for art tools and techniques and use this vocabulary in their daily studio work and are taught proper care and use of art materials.

Preschool Visual Arts

Beginning with kindergarten students, motor skills and development of self through sensory experience are the focus. Paper manipulation skills are introduced such as bending, fringing, curling, cutting, folding, etc. Small muscle development and eye/hand coordination are encouraged through these manipulations and use of scissors, rulers, markers, pencils, and pattern tracing. Pattern, shape, texture, line, color, and visual rhythm are introduced and reinforced at this grade level. Student work is submitted in a number of local and regional art contests and student artists are recognized at school assemblies throughout the year.