Elements of art are introduced with a focus on line, color and texture in both two- dimensional and three dimensional projects. The Art History timeline begins with cave paintings with stops in ancient Mexico for ceramics, the Middle Ages for mosaics, the Renaissance for Stained Glass, and painting and drawing in the Modern Era.

Color relationships are formalized with the color wheel; primary and secondary colors as well as warm and cool colors are discovered. Line, value, shape and pattern are identified and integrated into projects. The Art History timeline includes nature paintings inspired by Henri Rousseau, assemblage sculpture, and coiled pottery.

Shape and form are added to line, color, value and texture in the identification of the elements of art. Observation of nature and the environment include still life drawing and weather paintings. The Art History timeline stops in a primal rainforest where birds and animals inhabit original landscapes. Impressionism, Cubism, and Realism are identified as Modern art styles through the study of Monet, Picasso and Homer.

Line, color, value, texture, shape and form are explored more deeply. The concept and practice of space in two dimensional and three dimensional projects is introduced along with the principles of design of balance and emphasis. Projects include the building of Medieval castles, African textile weavings, and self-portraits.

Asymmetrical and radial balance, complex patterns, proportion and movement are implemented as principles of design in two and three-dimensional projects. One-point perspective is introduced as well as digital photography. Some projects themes covered are visual symbols and contour drawing. The Art History timeline swept through ancient Mayan and Incan culture with a special mask-making project, and into the 20th century with wire mobiles inspired by Alexander Calder.

Kindergarten starts the musical process with a focus on rhythmic echoing and creation. Students participate in drum circles using various Orff instruments where they improvise rhythms within specific guidelines. Kindergartners also prepare for the Eric Carle Museum, where they set his books to music and additional holiday concerts.

Grade One begins their musical journey with the recorder. Students work from various texts to give them a well rounded approach to playing an instrument independently and collaboratively. Grade One also meets once per cycle for a class dedicated to singing and preparing for concerts.

Grade Two also continues the musical journey with recorder through independent, paired, and group practice. Grade Two begins composing melodically, a natural progression from their years of rhythmic composition.

Grade Three is the final year for students to play their recorder. The program at this level is much more rigorous than the younger years; third graders prepare to play a song at the Halloween Spooktacular Performance and a recorder accompaniment to the Lower School Veni Emmanuel Christmas Performance. Students also begin to study vocal practices in more detail at the third grade level.

Grade Four visits the Music Room twice a cycle; once as an individual class and once for Chorus, which includes the entire grade. The students are study musical genres in much more detail and complete composer research projects utilizing technological resources. Grade Four also begins playing hand bells in the second semester.

Grade Three is the first year students study theater. We begin the year with an introduction to early theatre history, a basic theatre vocabulary, a study of the stages used by ancient actors. We act during every class using pantomime and creative movement to tell stories independently and in small groups. In December the students present an “Open Class” and in February they perform a short play for the Lower School and their parents.

At the beginning of the 3rd tri-mester the third graders memorize and act out poems and nursery rhymes. Later they are introduced to the folk tales and theatre of a particular culture. They create masks in class and retell the stories to the Pre-School children.

The Fourth Grade Musical is the culmination of the Lower School Music and Drama curriculum. Preparation begins in January with auditions, rehearsals run from February through April with the performances in early May.