ART 
CHORUS AND RECORDER CLUB BAND FLES GENERAL MUSIC PE STRINGS
The Art Program at Terraset offers students opportunities to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork. They practice skills and problem solving techniques that are needed for a variety of media. Instruction for lessons in drawing, painting, cut paper collage, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, weaving, and stitchery are given on a weekly (kindergarten through third grade) or bi-weekly (grades four through six) schedule. Investigation, personal expression and style are the foundations of their expression. The students develop an art vocabulary and an understanding of process which enables the students to communicate their ideas.
Other musical opportunities for students at Terraset include chorus and recorder club. The Terraset chorus is made up of 5th and 6th graders who love to sing. The chorus, directed by Mrs. Goldman and accompanied by Mr. Harper, performs a winter concert and a spring musical annually. Sixth graders also have the opportunity to audition for the 6th grade all county chorus.
Recorder club is for students in grades 3-6. In recorder club, students participate in the Recorder Karate program. When students master specific songs on their recorder, they receive recorder karate belts. These belts are worn on their recorders. Students who master the black belt song, Ode to Joy, perform on our news show, WTER. This club accommodates all skill levels and is fun for all.
At Terraset, Instrumental Band Instruction is offered in grades five and six. This program includes beginning experiences with instruction in like- instrument groups and advanced experiences with instruction in mixed instrument groupings. All students have the opportunity to participate in ensemble experiences in preparation for concerts twice a year.
Elective activities for advanced players include the Solo and Ensemble Festival held annually in April, and Area Band, which provides a large ensemble experience at a high level of performance. Students who participate in the elementary instrumental music program will have the opportunity to continue in the secondary instrumental programs in the Fairfax County Public Schools.
Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools, is taught at Terraset Elementary School in Spanish. All students K-6 are instructed in a foreign language twice a week for 30 minutes. Goals of the program include exposing students to a foreign language and culture, helping them attain novice-level proficiency in the language, and reinforcing basic ideas from core content areas such as science and social studies.
At Terraset, general music is a course that is offered to all students in grades K-6. This course provides students with a solid foundation of musical learning through note reading, rhythmic training, singing, movement, drama, instrument playing, and music appreciation. These musical foundations give students the tools to become life-long music learners and creative thinkers. For more information about the national standards of music education, please visit The National Association for Music Education at www.menc.org
The primary goal of the Physical Education program is to encourage life-long movement. This is done through the approach of exposing children to as many different aspects of movement such as fitness activities, learning loco motor skills, becoming comfortable with spatial awareness, controlling one's body, balancing skills, dancing and rhythmic movements, learning throwing and catching skills for all different types of equipment, striking objects with long and short handled implements, working cooperatively, and having a positive attitude. Our goal is that every child will find a form of movement that they truly enjoy and carry it on with them throughout the course of their lifetime. It is imperative for this to happen as in America obesity is a major health risk and the best way to combat it is through exercise. During the course of the year, children will be asked to practice their fitness skills at home in order to improve their fitness levels for the Virginia Wellness Test. Also a Fitness Club is being offered Thursday mornings for students in grades 2-6 from 8:20 - 8:50 where the primary focus is aerobic endurance.
The Terraset Strings program is open to all students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. In the strings program students learn how to play one of the four instruments of the string orchestra: violin, viola, cello, or bass. Beginning strings students in the 4th grade learn the basics of playing their instruments such as posture, note reading, and bow technique. These students perform in two concerts a year--a Valentines Beginning Strings Concert and a Spring Concert. The Silver Orchestra is made up of primarily 5th grade second year string students. Silver students continue learning the notes on their instruments and build upon the basics they learned in Beginning Strings class. The Gold Orchestra is made up of primarily 6th grade students and is the most advanced orchestra at Terraset. Gold students play music that is technically more challenging than in previous years and learn more advanced orchestral techniques. The Silver and Gold students perform in a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert, and have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities such as Solo and Ensemble Festival and the Oakton/Chantilly Area Orchestra.
The goal of the Terraset Strings program is to give Terraset students an instrumental music experience while building confidence, creativity, and a connection to history and cultures from around the world. Elementary strings lays the foundation for participation in middle and high school orchestras--as well as giving the students a lifelong appreciation for the fine arts.