West Stafford School

PreKindergarten and Kindergarten are given the opportunity to explore art in various ways and with a variety of materials. Per the National Art Standards, artists will Create, Present, Respond, and Connect while in the art room. Artists will learn about the Elements of Art; Shape, Line, Texture, Form, Space, Color, and Value and how to use them to create 2D and 3D art. The art curriculum is interdisciplinary and closely aligns with the math and literature curriculum of the classroom teachers to support differentiated learning to help artists make connections to the classroom learning. Art is mostly center based giving artists opportunities to take risks, make mistakes and explore at their own pace. Every artist will end the year with an online portfolio.

View the WSS Music Page Here: 
WSS Music Page

The purpose of the West Stafford School Music Program is to provide students with an introduction to the foundation of music. Music has been found to positively impact early childhood development with links to increasing literacy, spatial awareness, and social emotional skills which are all linked with improved student outcomes in reading and math.

All students at WSS will create, perform, respond, and make connections to music and their real world experiences.

Topics explored in the WSS Music curriculum include:

Steady beat

Tempo: speed of music

Dynamics: volume of music 

Pitch: high and low sounds 

Rhythm: patterns of long and short sounds 

Articulation: smooth or bumpy

Sound versus Silence

Students will use a variety of means to express musical ideas such as singing, movement, or playing instruments.

Instruments used during class may include egg shakers, rhythm sticks, hand drums, bells, or boomwhackers.

Want more music at home? Check out these links!

• MusicPlay Online
• Chrome Music Lab
• Wii Just Dance Dance-Along Videos

The Pre-Kindergarten Physical Education curriculum consists of a basic introduction to all of the components of the Kindergarten curriculum, as well as gaining familiarity with the structure, rules, and routines of P.E., and school in general. A focus on monitoring and developing basic gross motor movements, as well as mobility, is a point of emphasis at the Pre-K level. Introducing and exposing the students to various types of physical activities, and related opportunities, is also an important portion of the Pre-K experience.

The Kindergarten Physical Education curriculum is aligned with the SHAPE America National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes. Students will be introduced to and begin to develop body and spatial awareness, locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, and manipulatives. Students will also begin to acquire knowledge of movement concepts, knowledge of physical activity and fitness, and learn to recognize the value of physical activity. Exhibiting responsible personal and social behavior in a physically active environment is also an important component of the curriculum.