Elementary Performing Arts

The goal of the performing arts program is to provide opportunities for students to explore the various areas of the arts, while at the same time developing skills related to life-long learning. The elementary performing arts curricula is aligned to the MA Curriculum Frameworks and guided by the mission statement of the Westwood Performing Arts Department.

 

Overview of the Elementary Music Program

 

General/Instrumental Music

Grade	Frequency	Duration
K	1x per week	45 minutes
1	1x per week	45 minutes
2	1x per week	45 minutes
3	1x per week	45 minutes
4	2x per week General music Instrumental	45 minutes each
5	1x per week General music 1x per week Chorus (1/2 year only)	45 minutes
Gr. 5 Band	1x per week	30 minutes
Strings Program Gr. 1-5	After school 1x per week	45 minute group classes 60 minute orchestra

 

 

Elementary Drama

Grade 5

1x per week Drama (1/2 year only)

45 minutes

 

Elementary Music Goals

• Sing and play instruments, learn a repertoire of traditional, folk, patriotic and other songs and pieces

• Move to music, explore creative and structured movement

• Read music, using music reading skills learned in music classes

• Listen to music, explore the purpose and expression and composers of a variety of musical styles

• Create original music in small and large groups

• Think about, evaluate and write about music performance, style and expression

• Make connections between music with other arts and/or other curriculum subjects

• Participate in "informances," in class, or in other school and public venues

 

Elementary Drama Goals

• Develop communication skills

• Increase confidence in public presentations

• Develop skills of social interaction

• Clarify student identity

• Explore limits and boundaries of human behavior in safe/supervised environment

• Explore and learn a range of possible behaviors within life experiences and to build upon these experiences to promote personal and social learning within the context of drama

• Reflect/analyze human behaviors; personality types and life situations within the context of drama

• Promote creativity by utilizing thinking, feeling and the body in solutions to problems in communication

• Develop drama skills

• Develop teamwork to accomplish common goals

• Integrate students’ understanding and knowledge of drama with the study of other academic disciplines