Visual and Performing Arts
Stephanie Schechter, Coordinator
Kindergarten Arts
King Elementary School divides the arts program for the benefit of kindergarten students. Students are given the opportunity to experience the arts at their own levels of creativity and interest. There are three sessions, and parents fill out forms so that students have a chance to choose the Arts Electives that most interest them.
Holiday Arts & Crafts
We give instruction on gift and craft ideas geared toward the holiday season. Students increase their motor skills while learning how to paste, cut, draw, color, and paint while developing their artistic creativity.
Seasonal/Thematic Fun--"Sing a Song"
Students learn songs, poems, and finger plays that revolve around a theme. Themes may or may not be seasonal. Themes help younger students develop language skills and concepts.
Stitchery
Students learn to create artistic pieces through the use of a needle, yarn, and burlap. We encourage each student to be creative, and the students are able to keep or give as gifts all of the projects they make.
Dance, Dance, Dance!
This dance class is designed for kindergarten students. It teaches students to count and move rhythmically to music. Students learn the basic concepts of movement (time, space, energy) through fun and innovative styles of dance (jazz, Broadway, African, hip-hop, ballet, etc.).
Make a Joyful Noise
This class introduces students to the world of singing. Students learn basic music concepts while using their voices as a primary instrument. Students learn songs from the Silver Burdett music series (e.g., "I Know an Old Lady," "In a Spanish Garden," and "It's a Small World").
Artist-in-Residence/Arts Elective Classes
King Elementary School has an artist-in-residence staff made up of local artists who introduce and teach students art appreciation and skills. These classes are offered to students in grades one through five.
Visual Art
Students have an opportunity to explore and create many different forms of visual art (e.g., pillows, masks, chalk drawings, jewelry, clothes, and papier-maché puppets). Our instructor uses expertise and creative guidance to introduce students to a new realm of this art form--that which is pleasing to the eye. There are no boundaries for the creative venues used.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts is the art of self-defense. Students learn artistic techniques, discipline, and the art of thinking before reacting. Their skillful training includes stances, blocks, and kicks. Students learn vocabulary that increases the learners' awareness of this true art form. We teach defense, not offense.
Arts and Crafts
A special guest artist works with King students on different arts and crafts projects. Students paint, draw, weave, make baskets from popsicle sticks, etc. This is a great opportunity for students to use their creative energy in an art form that is so versatile.
Gymnastics
In this fast-paced introduction to gymnastics, students learn posture, basic balancing skills, stretching techniques, introductory body rolls, tumbles, left and right splits, and performance attitude/behavior. Music adds mobility to the class.
Ballet
This introductory course teaches students posture with elegance and poise with strength. Students learn ballet positions, gestures, and forms while gaining an appreciation for the discipline used and needed in this art form.
Jazz
This course introduces students to the dance art form of jazz. Jazz is an extension of ballet, using loose and rhythmic gestures for body movements. Students learn about jazz choreography with an emphasis on performance expectations.
Piano/Keyboard
Students are introduced to and gain knowledge of musical notation, posture, and the counting process involved in learning to read music. There are many hands-on activities as well as piano/keyboard playing. By the end of the course, all students will play the keyboard with both hands.
Creative Drama
The dramatic art form of theatre is a big part of King Elementary School. Students are introduced to techniques and skills in Creative Drama. Students learn to concentrate and to create character development through the art of make-believe. Students are excited to have an opportunity to use their imaginations with such endless boundaries.
Strings
Students are introduced to the violin, cello, and bass in this class of musical enrichment. Students learn to play instruments while learning correct placement, posture, and bowing techniques. (This class is offered to students in grades four and five only.)
Band
Students are introduced to and are given the opportunity to learn how to play the clarinet, trumpet, flute, trombone, or coronet. Interested students may continue their studies for more than one semester. (This class is offered to students in grades four and five only.)
Bell Choir
Music plays an integral part in the lives of most of our students. Participation in the Bell Choir joins students' hearts with sounds through harmony and celebration. The Bell Choir brings the seasons of our school to life and amplifies and illuminates the varied tapestry that makes our school unique.
Guitar
King students are introduced to stroke and strumming techniques while learning musical theory and notation. Students learn correct body posture and hand positioning through hands-on activities. Because of the size of the instruments and the care needed to operate and maintain them, we only offer these classes to fourth and fifth graders.
Spirit of the Drum
King students who participate in the Spirit of the Drum create rhythms and sounds through the beat of a drum, which results in energizing musical presentations. The purpose of the class is to allow the students an opportunity to engage in joyful, directive, and challenging experiences. Spirit of the Drum allows students to use their inner rhythmical skills and a chance to apply these natural abilities in a positive way. (This class is offered to students in grades four and five only.)
Poetry in Motion
Students engage in creating movement to poetry of various eras, genres, and themes. The students analyze and learn the poems to determine how they would like to express their view of what the poets are saying. This expression is accomplished individually, in teams, and ultimately, as a group, as students perform their creation of poetry in motion. (This class is offered to students in grades four and five only.)
Drawing and Painting
Students learn drawing and painting skills and create their own art portfolio. Students create two final projects that demonstrate an increased awareness of shape, size, and color for display at the Arts Elective Showcase.
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop is geared toward the performance end of dancing. Students learn dance techniques and styles to prepare for the Arts Elective Showcase. Students learn self-discipline and the conventions of performance appearance. This class emphasizes dance and its magical captivation through a modern form.
STOMP
We patterned the STOMP class after the great percussion group STOMP, which uses everyday items to create a style of rhythmic music in form and content. Students learn to create rhythmic patterns using their names and everyday rhythms (e.g., heartbeat.) Students are asked to bring in pots, pans, jars, cans, spoons, buckets, and other household items.
Chess
Students have several opportunities to learn and excel in chess. Fourth and fifth graders can participate in a chess club where students challenge other schools in annual tournaments. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students have the opportunity to play chess in the mornings before school starts.
Show Choir/Chorus
This class incorporates singing and dancing to teach students performance skills and knowledge. Students learn basic jazz and Broadway routines and prepare for the Arts Elective Showcase. (Students tour throughout the metro Louisville area.)
Quick Recall
Students in grades four and five who meet the criteria may participate in Quick Recall, which is similar to the popular game show Jeopardy!
School Day Program
Students spend weekly sessions in arts and activities. Student choices include Piano/Keyboard, Gymnastics, Visual Arts, Strings, Band, Chorus, Martial Arts, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Creative Drama, Chorus, Computer, Drawing and Painting, African Dance, STOMP, Percussion, Bell Choir, Spirit of the Drum, Guitar, and Poetry in Motion.
Visual & Performing Arts Auditions
Students may audition for the Visual and Performing Arts Program by contacting Stephanie Schechter at 485-8285.
