Art & Music

Fine Arts at Julian Newman: Our Purpose

 

 

Arts in Education

The languages of the arts are universal and elemental parts of the human experience. Arts education is imperative as a fundamental component of a well-rounded education for every Alabama student. Through participation in a high-quality, comprehensive arts education program, students engage in a variety of activities that address diverse learning styles, cultivate multiple intelligences, develop higher-order thinking skills, and build confidence to pursue lifelong learning.

The Arts at Julian Newman

Julian Newman offers Art and Music as part of the arts education program. Arts literacy is the goal of arts education at Julian Newman. Arts literacy consists of the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to participate authentically in the arts. It results from high-quality arts education that inspires and engages lifelong learning for all students. Fluency in the arts includes the ability to create, perform/produce/present, respond, and connect through symbolic and metaphoric forms that are unique to the arts. Individuals attaining literacy in the arts easily connect knowledge, skills, and processes to other subjects, settings, and contexts. Further, the essential creative practices of imagination, investigation, construction, and reflection are cognitive processes by which students can achieve excellence. These practices are not only fundamental to the arts, but also important across all content areas. While each of the arts disciplines has its own unique set of knowledge, skills, and processes, the arts share common characteristics that make arts education powerful preparation for college, career, and a fulfilling life. Each of the arts disciplines is powered by the energy of four artistic processes: Creating, Performing/Producing/Presenting, Responding, and Connecting. Elementary arts education at Julian Newman creates 21st century citizens capable of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Building Bridges with Art

An understanding of the arts enables students to reach across social boundaries and gain insight into the values of other cultures, which is a valuable asset in the global society of the 21st Century. Our community is increasingly culturally diverse, and this necessitates the learning and celebrating of many cultural traditions. Classroom experiences in the arts at Julian Newman includes opportunities for students to study a variety of cultures and become familiar with their artistic expressions to increase their understanding of various cultural groups. Cultural insights are broadened when students have opportunities to view exhibits in museums and art galleries; to attend dance, musical, or theatrical and media performances; and to work with artists, musicians, and performers who are invited to our school.

Art Education at Julian Newman

 

 

Celebrating the Artist in Every Child

When students come to art at Julian Newman, they can expect fun, standards-based lessons that expose them to a variety of materials, methods, and techniques, while also incorporating art history and vocabulary. There are many opportunities for students to have their art displayed, such as our ACS Spring Art Showcase, our One Athens Christmas Showcase, and the ACS booth inside High Cotton Arts. There are also many local, state, and regional contest opportunities like Youth Art Month at the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Mayor's Youth Commission art contests, and the State Superintendent's Art Show, among others. Parents will always be notified if their child's artwork is on display. Of course, student artwork is always on display in our school building, making the halls look incredibly happy! 

Traditionally, the visual arts included drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture. Today, the visual arts encompass a broader spectrum of constructs including media arts (film, graphic design, and other emerging technologies), architectural, environmental, and industrial arts (urban, interior, product, and landscape design), folk arts, and arts and crafts, including ceramics, fibers, jewelry, works in wood, paper, and other materials. We keep instruction invigorating and energizing. Our curriculum represents an innovative approach to arts education that emphasizes the whole student.

The Value of Elementary Art

Students at the earliest grade levels are inquisitive and imaginative. They need to express their thoughts, but need guidance and support for new activities. They respond to stimuli from all their senses and learn through doing. Visual arts instruction in elementary school provides an inclusive and creative environment where young children can explore arts media and concepts. Instruction at this level fosters appropriate behavioral skills, promotes artistic literacy, and guides students in developing cognitive, sensory, affective, and motor skills. K-3 content standards provide the foundation for future visual arts instruction and for the understanding and enjoyment of visual artworks.

Around third grade, we see our students grow. This age group is transitioning from dependent, concrete ways of thinking to independent thought and abstract ideas. Their fine motor skills continue to develop, allowing greater facility in using materials. They are increasingly able to assess their own work and to seek alternative solutions to artistic problems. Visual arts instruction allows them to connect to their own lives and cultures and to express their life experiences. Our students are challenged to think creatively, communicate thoughts and ideas, understand the opinions of others, and expand technical skills.

Music Education at Julian Newman

 

 

Laying an Important Foundation, Note by Note

Music at Julian Newman provides an important foundation for the creative, innovative, and intellectual capital that prepares all students for success. Therefore, we work provide all students with a wellrounded education that includes music, regardless of musical or artistic aptitude. By doing so, we are fulfilling the needs of our young citizens and laying the foundation for the success of our students and school.

Developing Music Literacy

The overarching goal of the course of study for general music is comprehensive music literacy. We emphasize conceptual understanding in areas that reflect the actual processes in which musicians engage. The foundation for comprehensive music literacy begins in kindergarten. By grades 3, 4, and 5, students begin to apply music reading skills. In grades 6-8, students will enhance and refine skills learned in K-5 to prepare them for the lifelong enjoyment of music.

Making Important Connections through Music

Julian Newman music follows The Alabama Course of Study for music, which is designed to meet the learning needs of all students and the instructional needs of all educators. Its overarching goal is comprehensive music literacy. Comprehensive music literacy consists of the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to participate authentically in the discipline of music. Musically literate individuals can independently carry out the Artistic Processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. The Course of Study standards reflect these four processes, which are the cognitive and physical actions by which musical learning and music-making are realized. Musicians have used these processes for generations, connecting through music to self and society. At Julian Newman, we believe we can use these processes to connect our students to a better understanding of themselves and the greater world through the gift of music.