Art

In lower grades (K-4), art activities are integrated into academic lessons. Two periods per week are allocated for art. Students use various materials in their cross-curricular projects, which enhance their learning.

Grades Five to Eight students have art classes once a week. Students are introduced to pencil techniques of shading, sketching, 3-dimensional perspectives from the view of a worm, a human and a bird, and tone values. Then these techniques are repeated in color. This is followed by material exercises in paper, clay, acrylic, oil and canvas. Students are encouraged to go outside and observe their surroundings; they learn to draw pictures of still life. These techniques are taught at each grade level, and projects are assigned, the degree of sophistication depends on the age group.

Physical Education

Kindergarten through grade Two students have P.E classes with their homeroom teachers, and a Physical Education instructor teaches students in grades Three to Eight. Grades Three to Eight students are taught the same skills at appropriate age levels, twice a week. One period is devoted to games and the other to running. Students learn how to prepare for P.E by stretching and doing “warm up” exercises. They learn group sports: kickball, volleyball, basketball, flag football, and relays (running laps and passing a baton). They work on building their stamina by running and tracking their time.

The students work towards The Presidential Award. To qualify, students must do a set number of push-ups, sit-ups and a timed one-mile run. Students are also taught leadership and sportsmanship skills. They take turns leading the warm-up exercises and being captain of a team during class. They learn to cooperate with each other and appreciate everyone’s efforts.

Computer

Students in Grade One learn how to turn on and off the computer, how to use the icons, and how to click and drag. They use “Paint” to make different shapes and multiple images. They learn how to use “Notepad” for writing. Students in grades One to Four use computer for educational games in math, spelling and social studies. They are gradually introduced to typing. Fifth Grade students work on typing, improving their speed and accuracy. Grade Six students learn the application of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, and how to access, search and use the Internet.