Arts

Grades DK-5 Arts Program

Visual Arts

The goal of the Lower School art program is to develop students’ understanding and enjoyment of art, craft, and design.  In their weekly classes, students use a wide variety of tools and techniques to explore work in two and three dimensions.  They experiment with printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, and textiles.

Frequently we incorporate class and school-wide themes into our art projects.  We aim to develop students’ visual literacy through on-going discussion about their own work and that of others.  Visiting art galleries and museums incorporates first-hand study of artwork from different cultures and time periods.  Throughout the year, students develop their imagination and strengthen their skills of observation and self-expression.

Performing Arts

General Music

 The music program aims to develop students understanding and enjoyment of all aspects of music. The pedagogy of Orff Schulwerk is a fundamental foundation of the program providing students with a music education that is active and dynamic. Carl Orff, a German composer developed this approach along with Gunild Keetman, a pioneer in music education for children. It is a holistic approach, entering the world of music aurally, visually, and kinesthetically. Students make music with their voices, singing or chanting rhymes. They make music with their bodies, clapping, stomping, or learning a folk dance. Students also make music on the xylophones, metallophones, and recorders playing melodies and accompaniments or drumming out rhythms on the bongos and tubanos. Through the process of imitation, exploration, improvisation, and finally, visualization, students experience and implement the elements of music. Music class meets twice a week for 30-45 minute periods.

Choral Music

Performing with a choir gives students an opportunity to sing with a large group. They develop stronger musicianship skills, experience reading a score and sing in rounds, 2-parts, and eventually, more complex harmonies. It is also an environment in which students can extend their singing skills as well as their aural skills. Since its start in 1999, the Choral Music program has grown in size and interest as well as skill level allowing for higher expectations including a more sophisticated repertoire. There are three choirs in the Lower School. Primary Choir is for Kindergarten through Second Grade, Upper Elementary Choir is for Third through Fifth Grade, and we have a 5th Grade Boy's Choir. Choirs meet once a week for a 30-45 minute rehearsal.

The Winter and Spring Choral concerts provide a venue for students to share their work. Students are introduced to a wide variety of repertoire as each concert focuses on a particular style of music with a focus around the school wide theme. Students have performed Jazz, Blues, Folk, Classical, and Multicultural Music in the respective languages. The Choirs have also successfully taken on a more visible role in the surrounding community in the past few years. Starting in the 3rd grade, the choirs perform with Music in the Parks at Disneyland. Students sing for judges and get feedback and awards for their performance. The choirs have placed first within their choral category as well as Best Overall. The Willows Choirs have also been awarded the Espirit de Corps Award several times. This award is given to the school that best exemplifies respect for the art, other participants in the competitions, support for one another, and demonstrates an all around positive attitude.

Electronic Music

Starting in the 3rd grade, students head to the electronic music lab once a week to compose original music using Garageband. Students create with virtual instruments in the electronic music lab to explore musical elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, and musical articulation. Through teacher-guided projects, students create songs by building a foundation and additively layering various instruments. They learn the fundamentals of song writing and develop melodies, lyrics, and song form. Projects are often integrated with the classroom curriculum. For example, in the Fourth Grade, students write a story about their California animal and then compose a piece that represents the habitat and characteristics of that animal.

Drama

Drama is an important part of the Willows experience. In the primary and upper elementary grades we employ a variety of dramatic exercises and activities in the classroom to provide children with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of stories, actual events, and conflicts that arise with classmates. Together, teachers and students may write performance pieces that the children perform before audiences.