Visual & Performing Arts
Art
The Visual Arts Program
The art program at Ashby Elementary aims to provide an environment where all students feel comfortable, safe and free to explore a wide range of media and subject matter. Central to the program is respect for, and the enjoyment of other students' work. Basic skills are introduced, developed and built upon as each student progresses through the grade levels. The sequence of lessons is varied each year in order to maintain interest and to allow for a spiraling curriculum in which skills and concepts are explored in greater depth. The ever important elements of art and principles of design are woven throughout the lessons presented, as well as, the practices of group sharing and reflective writing. Art history, aesthetic perception, literature in the form of story books and poetry and cultural awareness are integral to the art program as well. The media and methods explored include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, clay, collage, textiles and graphic design.
- Lisa Careau - Art Teacher
General Music
The music program at Ashby Elementary seeks to equip students with the tools to experience, create and explore music constructively. We do this by developing the tools to interface with music, by building appreciation through exposure to a variety of styles and by fostering a safe environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and trying new things.
Students do not learn on a year-to-year basis, but rather work towards various goals that we work towards regardless of age and grade. These goals include basic ideas like keeping a steady beat, or singing a short tune from memory. They also include more specific goals, like identifying instruments through sound or appearance and moving expressively to music through traditional folk dances from around the world. The music curriculum is built on variety. Students typically participate in a mix of activities in each class, touching upon different skills that we are all working to develop as music makers and listeners.
4th Grade Band
In 4th grade, students are given the option to participate in band. Band is an opportunity for students to develop several skills, such as the technical skill of playing a band instrument, or the social skill of making music as a group in an ensemble. Band members attend weekly group lessons for their specific instrument during the school day. These lessons rotate, so students are never missing the same block of time again and again. They also attend a weekly band rehearsal, where all band students come together to work on playing as a group and learning music for performance in concerts and other events.
In a typical year, students will perform in two concerts and one special event at AES. We have a winter concert, in January, and a spring concert at the end of the school year. We also typically briefly perform at our school’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Students may choose from the following instruments when participating in band:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, or Trombone
There are also some more specialized instruments that students will learn about in class that are also options, such as Percussion and Oboe.
There are no constituents to display