New London Public Schools

NATHAN HALE ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL

GRADE 4 and 5 ESSENTIALS CLASS CATALOG

At Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School, we are pleased to offer our students a wide variety of essentials classes. “Essentials” are the classes, which meet in areas outside of the student’s homeroom, these include the arts, technology and physical education. Our 4^th and 5^th grade students get to choose which essentials they would like to join for the year. As we prepare to place students in their essentials classes for the 2019/20 school year, we will need you and your child’s input. Please read this catalog with your child and note your child’s interests.

We will do our best to honor your child’s class choices however; keep in mind there may be scheduling and/or class size conflicts that may reduce some options. We will do our best to ensure that every student has their top choices.

Most of our essentials are OPEN TO ALL students however; some of our advanced essentials have prerequisites based on the following:

1. Teacher Approval – The teacher will determine if this class is appropriate for your child.
2. Audition – These are advanced performance ensembles with limited class size.Your child will need to audition in order to join these classes. Audition information will be sent home by the teacher. If selected through the audition process, students may be required to participate in some activities outside of the school day or school building. These activities may require parental transportation.
3. Required – Physical Education is required. Every student will automatically be placed in a physical education class.

Please return the enclosed selection form to the classroom teacher by Monday, May 20, 2019. One page is the essentials choice form and the other is the instrument selection form, for new band students (if your child is choosing band).

If you have, further questions contact Mr. Morgan at MorganS@newlondon.org.

Thank you for being a part of our NHAMS Family!

___________________________________________________________________________

PAGES CAFÉ

Pages Café (OPEN TO ALL)

The Pages Café is an artistic makerspace where children can let their imaginations soar through stories and creative learning centers. Class begins with 20-25 minutes of storytelling based on a book the children select and discuss. The second half of class centers around opportunities to build, paint, sketch, explore board games, care for plants, read, and reflect. Pages Café offers a space for children to grow, to nurture and be nurtured, and to make connections with the community through author reach out and school to school projects. Here students can practice the important 21^st century skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, flavored with literacy for all and compassion for others.

DANCE

Jazz (TEACHER APPROVAL)

Jazz is a fun and energetic genre of dance that includes such elements as kicks, leaps, turns, splits, and isolations. Classwork includes stretch and strengthening exercises, floor work, and across the floor progressions in addition to center floor combinations. This class will perform in the spring showcase.

Tap (TEACHER APPROVAL)

Tap classes develop rhythm, style and sound. Tap exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun. This class will perform in the spring showcase.

Hip Hop  (OPEN TO ALL)

Hip Hop is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, break dancing, popping, and locking. Classes will encourage students to step outside of the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to the movements. This class will include warm-up, across the floor, combinations and history. Students will be grouped upon skill level and perform at the spring showcase.

Ballet  (TEACHER APPROVAL)

Introduction to ballet technique with an emphasis on posture, spatial awareness and musicality. Students learn details of basic ballet movements and proper execution of steps, while developing flexibility and basic coordination.  Dancers will couple learning proper terminology and reasoning for ballet exercises and positions with the fun of dancing combinations of steps with music.  There is an emphasis on repetition and reinforcement of exercises, increasing in number. These exercises encourage development/strength in the legs and feet, and the coordination between the movements. This class will perform in the spring showcase.

Dance Ensemble (AUDITION ONLY)

Dance Ensemble will be for students who exhibit immediate talent and drive for dance. This class will put emphasis on technique in addition to performance preparation. These students are encouraged to take at least one other dance class at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School.

THEATRE

Theatre (Grade 4)(OPEN TO ALL)

Students will learn and practice various techniques to improve as actors.  Students will also learn about basic theater elements such as lighting, costuming, and make-up.

Theatre (Grade 5) (OPEN TO ALL)

A project-oriented class where students will memorize and present performance pieces. This may include solo monologues, 2-4 person scenes from short plays, and student written/directed pieces.

Improvisation for the Theatre(OPEN TO ALL)

Students will learn improvisational theatre games and techniques, which will assist with acting skills. This class also will have the potential for in school or after school performances.

Nathan Hale Showmakers(AUDITION ONLY)

Students will produce a children’s theatre play, learning all aspects of play production from both an acting and technical perspective. Students will work on 2-3 plays throughout the school year, with potential to perform for their peers, families, and local venues.  The class will contain 12-15 auditioned actors, and 4-5 students who have a keen interest in working on the technical elements of the show.   

MEDIA ARTS/TECH

Media Arts (OPEN TO ALL)

Throughout the year, students will learn multiple applications of Media Arts and technology to include, production, computer programing, video editing and game design. They will gain an aptitude for logic, creativity and mathematics. Throughout the year, students will learn the roles, operation and technical aspects of the production setting.  They will use iMovie to create presentations for personal and professional use.  Students will also learn basic operations of the program Garage Band. Finally, all students will work in groups to create a final presentation for the class.

Advanced Media Arts(OPEN TO ALL)

Through the program Scratch, students will expand on basic foundations of computer programming and animation in designing video games. This includes conceptualizing game storyline and character development, as well as marketing concepts.

Animation Video Production (OPEN TO ALL)

Students will learn basic concepts of stop motion animation and video production. Students will also spend time in the video production lab learning basic functions of production equipment including cameras, teleprompters and green screen. Students will become familiar with the animation program TupiTube.

VOCAL MUSIC

Chorus(OPEN TO ALL)

This large vocal ensemble is for all students who LOVE to sing.  In addition to learning repertoire and performing in a winter and spring concert, students will learn proper vocal technique and music theory basics.

Nathan Hale A Cappella (AUDITION ONLY)

Admittance to this advanced vocal ensemble is by audition.  Students in this group learn challenging 4-part harmony contemporary pop repertoire.  In addition to winter and spring concerts at school, singers must be available for off-site, evening and weekend performances throughout the school year. A Cappella singers must also participate in Chorus.

BAND/INSTRUMENTAL

Band (Grade 4)(OPEN TO ALL)

For 4^th grade students who want to learn how to play a band instrument and perform as a group. Instruments include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion, and xylophone. There is a separate paper where students will choose their instrument. Students meet 30 minutes, once a week outside their regular classroom for small group lessons. This class will perform in the spring concert.

Band (Grade 5)(OPEN TO ALL)

For 5^th grade students that have completed at least one year of band. Students play the same instrument they played in 4^th grade unless approved by the teacher. Students meet 30 minutes, once a week outside their regular classroom for small group lessons. 5^th grade band students perform in at least two concerts per year.

Stage Band (Grade 5 only) (TEACHER APPROVAL)

For 5^th grade band students that want to play more challenging and modern music. Stage band students perform in at least two concerts per year.

Guitar Class (OPEN TO ALL)

For any student interested in learning the basics of guitar playing. This involves knowing the parts of the guitar, proper playing technique, and learning chords to play many songs.

Advanced Guitar Class (TEACHER APPROVAL)

Continuation of guitar class. This class focuses on more advanced skills, more chords and reading music for guitar. The class also includes  writing your own music and different types of playing techniques.

World Music Drumming (OPEN TO ALL)

In this class, students use tubano drums (similar to congas) and multicultural percussion to learn rhythm ensembles from many cultures.  This class will perform in the spring concert.

VISUAL ART

Studio Art (4^th Grade and 5^th Grade) (OPEN TO ALL)

Studio Art is a general art class, open to all students. Students will use a variety of art media to develop 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional artworks. Student work is regularly displayed in the school and at off-site exhibitions. Studio Art 4^th Grade focuses on the concepts form and movement in art. Studio Art 5^th Grade focuses on the concepts of balance and space in art.

Art Everywhere (OPEN TO ALL)

The focus of this class will be creating artwork for specific spaces throughout the school campus. We will study artists who make installation and site-specific art and apply what we learn to our own work. We will mostly work on large projects together with less emphasis on projects to take home. Much of what we accomplish will require a strong sense of cooperative teamwork to ensure a successful experience.        

Art Everywhere Pioneers (OPEN TO ALL)

Students in this class will go beyond Art Everywhere by focusing on and emphasizing the leadership and decision making as it relates to planning and organizing the Art Everywhere projects. Students will help guide the themes, locations, material choices and construction of the Art Everywhere projects. Students in this class will also participate in the Art Everywhere projects. See above, for Art Everywhere description.\

Advanced Art*(TEACHER APPROVAL)

This class is for students who have demonstrated interest and skills to explore visual art more seriously, independently and with greater depth. Fifth graders should have taken an art class in Fourth grade. Fourth grade students should also select Studio Art. Student that don’t meet these requirements will be considered on an individual basis.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

  (Required–all students are placed)

Students develop the physical skills needed for a variety of games, and team building activities.  They also prepare for (in grade 4) and take (in grade 5) a pacer test, participate in Jump Rope for Heart, and enjoy a field day experience in the spring.