Specials Curriculum

The Been Family Media Center

The library strives to support the mission of The Schenck School by providing students, faculty, administration, and other professionals with educational materials in a wide range of reading levels, with varying formats and points of view. Additionally, the library houses a robust collection of books to encourage free-reading and research.

The print collection includes over 8,000 books and reference materials. The library also provides access to digital audiobooks and ebooks and is a Learning Ally member school, allowing students access to a collection of over 85,000 audio and Voicetext books. Magazine subscriptions include American Girl, Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, Sports Illustrated Kids, and Zoobooks. Students and Faculty have access to a wide array of databases including, Galileo (Georgia Library Learning Online), Brainpop, Brainpop Jr., Teaching Books, and Safari Montage.

Students visit the library once a week with their class. During this time, students learn and practice navigational skills, information literacy, research methods, and check out books.

Library Catalog

Music Kindergarten and First Grade

Kindergarten and first grade classes explore rhythm foundations by playing echo games, dancing, and performing body percussion songs. Students are introduced to reading music by rhythmical picture patterns. They also learn to sing in different languages like Swahili and Spanish. Students learn Orff compositions, several folk songs, and dances. They listen to and perform classic stories such as Peter and the Wolf and The Carnival of Animals in our classroom creating our own musical score.

Music Second Third and Fourth Grade

Second, third, and fourth graders learn and perform traditional songs and hand drum rhythms from West Africa and Brazil. Students continue an intensive study of Brazilian music by listening, dancing, and playing the martial art of Capoeira. They learn about the instrument families of the orchestra and compose their own songs on iPads, using Garage Band software. Students study Orff compositions, music genres, and culture by listening, dancing, and playing Folk, Jazz, Rock, Reggae, and Zydeco music. They learn how to read rhythm notation by playing with drumsticks and music theory games on iPads. They also study classical and modern composers. In third grade, students look at how instruments are constructed and make their own homemade instruments. In fourth grade, students learn some basic wind instrument techniques on the recorder and play a variety of songs.

Music Fifth and Sixth Grade

Fifth and sixth grader students learn and perform traditional songs and rhythms from West Africa and Brazil. Students continue an intensive study of Brazilian music by listening, dancing and playing the traditional music called Samba, Bossa Nova, and Forro. Fifth grade students learn to read music and play several songs on the recorder. Both grades learn more about Orff compositions, instrument families of the orchestra, classical and modern composers, and create original songs on iPads, using Garage band software. They are introduced to the guitar and begin reading tabs and learning chords. Students study music genres and cultures by listening, dancing, and playing Folk, Jazz, Rock, Reggae, and Zydeco. We learn how to read rhythm notation by playing with drumsticks and music theory games on iPads. They learn the construction of percussion instruments and assist in rebuilding conga drums.

The goals of the Physical Education Program are to develop and enhance physical movements and increase fitness levels through a variety of individual, small group, team, cooperative, team building, rhythm, and dance activities. During classes and activities students also will develop their core wellness components of physical, emotional, intellectual, and social health. By focusing on the four components of wellness, students will have an opportunity to grow through a variety of challenges.

Students will acquire and build upon a variety of skills including:

• Locomotor skills (running, skipping, jumping, etc.)
• Non-Locomotor/Spatial Awareness skills (twisting and balance)
• Manipulative skills (kicking, catching, and throwing)
• Dance
• Gymnastics
• Fitness
• Individual Sports
• Team Sports

During instruction and activity students will be challenged to apply rules of fair play and use cooperation to reach team goals. Along with participating in and learning traditional Physical Education skills, students will take part in a variety of integrated knowledge-based activities which challenges students to apply knowledge to solve problems. In addition to solving challenge as a team and applying knowledge, students will develop body and brain calming techniques, as well as a repertoire of quick games which enhance the brain and body connection.

Technology instruction provides students with the skills necessary to be successful in the 21^st century. Technology can be a valuable resource for students with dyslexia; tools are chosen that empower students to demonstrate their knowledge, increase their independence, and achieve academic success.

Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Technology is utilized to promote collaboration, creation, communication, and critical thinking for both teachers and students. The Instructional Technology Specialist collaborates with teachers to identify tools that support and enhance their curriculum. Students receive technology instruction weekly through curriculum-related activities in the contexts of phonics, math, writing, social studies, or science for individual and group projects. Students are encouraged to use technology as a tool to assist learning, access information, and demonstrate understanding. Teachers work closely with the Instructional Technology Specialist to identify tools for individual students and the class as a whole.