ART CHORUS AND RECORDER CLUB BAND FLES GENERAL MUSIC PE STRINGS
ART
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.
CHORUS
The Terraset Chorus is an elective course, made up of 5th and 6th graders who love to sing and make music. The Chorus rehearses once a week, and performs a winter and spring concert annually. Following the FCPS Program of Studies, the Terraset Chorus expands a student’s musicianship by performing a wide variety of music from different cultures, styles and time periods. 6th graders also have the opportunity to audition for the All County Chorus Festival – a chance to sing with nearly 1,000 6th graders from all around Fairfax County.
BAND
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.
FLES
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.
GENERAL MUSIC
General Music is required for all students in grades K – 6. Each class meets twice a week for a total of one hour in grades K – 3 and for 90 minutes in grades 4 – 6. Our music program follows the FCPS Program of Studies, as well as the National Standards of Music Education. Singing, playing, moving and creating are all part of a normal day in music. General Music class supplies students with the tools needed to be life-long music learners and creative thinkers. Students start playing recorder in January of their 3rd grade year and continue through 6th grade. All students, K – 6, use pitched (xylophones) and non-pitched (hand drums) percussion instruments.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In our country, obesity is an epidemic that contributes to numerous health problems and healthcare costs. One of the best ways to combat obesity is through exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. It is our hope that every child will leave the Physical Education program with a strong foundation of fundamental motor skills that will enable them to continue with a lifetime of movement. This is done through engaging the children in a variety of movement skills such as fitness activities, locomotor skills, understanding spatial and body awareness, balancing skills, dancing and rhythmic movements, throwing and catching with different types of equipment, striking objects with long and short handled implements, striking objects with body parts, working cooperatively, and having a positive attitude. The program also encourages students to increase their physical activity outside of school through filling out Fitness Calendars and attending the Fitness Club offered Friday mornings from 8:30 – 9:00.
Fairfax County Wellness Policy
STRINGS
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.