The Arts

Artistic expression is used as a tool for deeper learning, rather than as a process to create a product. For example, a subject matter is initially introduced through an oral story such as fairytale, fable, or biography of a historical figure. Students then absorb and understand the lesson further by drawing or painting, sculpting or even dramatizing the story. The practical arts like knitting and woodworking offer more than dexterity and skill. Rhythmical movements while working with the hands also promotes the mental operations of logic (reaching conclusions, forming judgments, and comprehension) and further develops intelligence, which is formed through activity, movement and manual dexterity.

The lessons move from heart to hands to head (or feeling, doing, thinking). When concepts are delivered in a more experiential manner, emphasizing the learning process over the product, it results in deeper meaning, increased understanding and retention. As part of Greenwood School’s experiential learning children will sing and play an instrument, serve a meal, act in a play, carve a spoon, make their own textbooks, knit socks, create a media presentation, hike Mt. Tam, explore tide pools and restore a watershed!

The Arts curriculum helps children to integrate and harmonize what is being learned academically.  The visual arts, including painting, watercolor painting, form drawing, illustration, modeling/ceramics, and art appreciation are woven into Greenwood block curriculum. Artistic activity stimulates the children’s visual and tactile senses and helps them to enter into their lessons through their feeling life, as well as their intellect.

Music

Singing and playing musical instruments cultivate joyful and harmonious experiences in the life of a child and provide healthy avenues for self-expression. Singing begins as a natural part of the child’s day in kindergarten. In the grades, songs from around the world are chosen in relationship to the academic themes enlivening the children’s experience throughout the curriculum. Choral singing is integrated into grades six, seven and eight. 
Introduction to a wide range of musical instruments begins with simple flutes in the first grade. Students learn to play the recorder beginning in third grade and continue through eighth grade. String instruments — violin, viola, or cello — are introduced in the second half of third grade. Fourth grade children begin orchestra classes and weekly private lessons on their chosen instrument. A child may choose to switch from a string instrument to a wind instrument such as a flute or clarinet in sixth grade.

Eurythmy

Eurythmy is a form of movement, which makes visible both speech and musical tones by means of movement in which the whole body is engaged as an instrument. In addition to its beneficial effect on sensory integration, coordination, concentration, and posture, eurythmy helps bring balance and harmony to the unfolding individuality, and fosters social integration among students.

Poetry

A joy and enthusiasm for language is central to our school culture and is explored through poetry and creative writing. Students’ work has been honored in the River of Words national poetry competition and the Coastal Arts and Poetry contest.

Drama

Drama gives children an opportunity to enter directly into story, literature and history. Teachers use drama in a variety of ways to bring their lessons alive. Each year, students perform a class play that reflects a theme from their curriculum.

     

Practical Arts and Crafts

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are trained in a progression of handwork by skilled and inspiring teachers. The handwork curriculum grows from simple activities to more complex ones, and includes finger knitting, two-needle knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, sewing, four-needle knitting, leather work, and machine sewing. In grades five through eight, students learn to create beautiful and useful objects using hand tools in woodworking classes.

Handwork

The handwork curriculum grows from simple activities to more complex ones, and includes finger knitting, two-needle knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, sewing, four-needle knitting, leather work, and culminating in eighth grade with machine sewing. Children develop focus and mastery, along with a deep sense of accomplishment in creating beautiful and useful objects.

Woodworking

Beginning in Fifth grade, children learn about the qualities of wood and how to use woodworking tools Students begin making simple objects, such as an egg, a spoon, or a bowl, and graduate to more complex projects. Woodworking helps develop creativity, perseverance, and skillfulness of eye and hand.

     

Games & Physical Education

Through imaginative games and movement activities, children are physically challenged to help them build skill and confidence in their ability to command their movements in space, and in relationship to others. Movement activity lays the foundation for healthy brain development, as well as enhancing physical, emotional, ethical, and spiritual aspects of the developing child. By fifth grade cooperative games are integrated with competitive sports skills which continue through the middle school years