The Preschool-4th Grade Music Program
In 2017, we introduced a new strings program based on the Suzuki Method for the Lower School beginning in preschool. This mother-tongue approach is based on the idea that every child can learn to play an instrument with the right environment. Just as children learn to speak their native language with ease, they also can learn to play an instrument. In preschool, the students will start singing rhymes, matching rhythms, and feeling the beat with their bodies. By first grade, students begin instruction on the violin. This program builds self-discipline, concentration, and persistence. It truly helps to develop the whole child, which fits Fulton School's Montessori approach perfectly! Click here for more details.
Instrumental Music (Grades 5-12)
Instrumental Music at The Fulton School is a performance-based curriculum incorporating strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion from 5th grade through the senior year of high school. Instruction is focused on student’s exploration of musical skills in terms of tone, pitch, rhythm, musicality, and note recognition. Each class incorporates a broad understanding and appreciation of music including foundations in music theory and music history. Ensembles perform from a wide catalog including Art, Popular, and Folk genres. The aim is to provide the tools and resources for students to achieve the highest level of skill on his or her instrument while also making cross curricular connections through music.
Physical Education
The TFS guidelines for the preschool through sixth grade physical education program consists ultimately of seven instructional areas:
1. body and spatial awareness
2. developmental games
3. fundamental movement
4. personal fitness/health
5. rhythm and dance
6. balancing, tumbling and stunts, and
7. sports and lifetime activities.
Physical Fitness Testing is administered in grades 1 through 6 using the Presidential Physical Fitness Test as our standard. Physical activities, games, and dances can also be directly connected to the academic classroom curriculum as part of special integrated units.
Spanish
The foreign language program emphasizes communication and culture, which are taught primarily through the aural/oral method. The younger children are taught using the TPR (Total Physical Response) method. Students begin the process of learning a foreign language by listening, imitation, and repetition. This parallels first-language acquisition, in which listening and speaking precede reading and writing. More traditional academic skills are introduced and developed gradually, as students progress through the grades. The program also teaches grammar, verb conjugation, and a plethora of vocabulary themes and words. At every level, students explore cultural and historic topics.
ArtThe art program emphasizes activities in which the child expresses individuality, creativity, and originality. Each child develops skills and respect for his / her work and the work of others. The program challenges and educates the child through activities in two- and three-dimensional areas based on the elements (color, texture, line, shape, form, space, value) and principals (balance, contrast, emphasis, composition) of art. The curriculum includes hands-on activities, art and cultural appreciation, and art that relates to the classroom curriculum.
