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Special Classes |
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West Elementary 707 Sharp Street * Glenwood, Iowa 51534 * 712-527-4886 * Fax: 712-527-5486 |
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MEDIA CENTER
Our school library offers more than 7,000 books, magazines, and reference volumes. Every class visits the library at least once each week, to read and check materials in and out. There are books at all reading levels, and in all areas of interest. Open time is also available during the day for individual or small group visits with the teacher’s permission.
Every year West Elementary has two Book Fairs. All students have an opportunity to visit the fair and join in the special activities accompanying the fair. Books may be purchased from a wide variety of reading levels and price ranges. Parents are encouraged to come and visit the fair during their child’s scheduled school time visit or an evening session. The book fair supports purchases for the media center.
ART
Art is one means of seeing, analyzing and reacting to the world around us. It is an avenue of expression that is safe, fun, and dependent more on image than words. It is an alternative for those with difficulties in verbal expression.
Glenwood Elementary students are provided an art experience starting at the first grade level, meeting with an art specialist weekly. In this class, students will experiment with various art media, learn about their own and other cultures as they relate to art, become familiar with famous artists and their work, learn to look for certain properties and techniques used in artwork, become articulate when speaking about art, and find ways that art is applied to various kinds of work in the adult world. Students will be given the opportunity to express themselves and their feelings visually within the confines of the discipline of the classroom and the medium used. They will be encouraged to believe in their own self-worth and the validity of their work.
MUSIC
The elementary music at West is a continuation of Northeast music program with an emphasis on the five elements of music: melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and tone color. The students sing, move, and create to a variety of songs. West Elementary music students broaden their knowledge of tone color through an in-depth study of instrument families and by attending a performance by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. Students are introduced to further musical styles including Jazz, Latin American, and Modern Classical music. Students analyze how modern technology affects the music industry and enhances musical career possibilities. Music at West Elementary encourages students to expand their musical horizons and reach for whatever musical dreams they have.
SIXTH GRADE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
The sixth grade band is the beginning of our instrumental music program. The students are exposed to the fundamentals of embouchure, tone production, articulation, breath support, posture, hand position, and horn position. The students are grouped in to like instrumentation classes where they will develop skills through a comprehensive course study including theory of musical elements and history of composers and their music. Students will develop good intonation and listening skills through individual and group playing. As the year progresses, the students will increase their technical ability, play phrases, identify musical forms, and develop good sight-reading skills. They will have the opportunity to participate in small and large group contest and present programs throughout the school year.
TALENTED AND GIFTED PROGRAM
The Talented and Gifted Program at West Elementary focuses on the academic areas of reading and math.
All students need a chance to find and develop a talent no matter their level of ability. This program allows for this to happen and provides those identified as high ability learners with the advanced curriculum they need.
Students are identified by the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Committee* to participate in the pull-out program of math and/or reading. An identified student has met the criteria necessary and an advanced curriculum is needed. The team identifies students on the basis of ITBS scores, IQ scores, classroom performance, teacher recommendations and interest. Students may be nominated for identification by anyone, including self.
* The TAG Committee consisting of at least one teacher from each grade level, the school principal and the Talented and Gifted Educator.
Many students, are very bright, but do not meet all of the criteria of identification. General education teachers know who these are and make accommodations for their learning. These students may be recommended for identification in the future.
The identified TAG students are pulled out for their identified area (s) of math and/or reading. The Talented and Gifted Educator is responsible for teaching to and above the standards and benchmarks specified for these students in the 4th and 5th grade. Identified students in 6th grade receive somewhat different services. The sixth grade math teacher, and the TAG Educator teach an advanced math course for students identified in the area of math. This class is a 7th grade math class at the 6th grade level. The sixth grade language arts program is novel-based and offers much enrichment and acceleration to all students. Sixth grade students do not receive pull-out services by the talented and gifted educator, but receive a differentiated curriculum within the classroom.
State guidelines currently dictate that only 3% to 5% of elementary school population should be served. These will have a Personalized Education Plan (PEP) that will travel in their cumulative folder. This PEP tracks the student’s performance and involvement in the program as well as specifies the academic needs he/she has.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
It is the purpose of West Elementary School to provide an exemplary program in physical education for all students. This program is an integral component of the total educational experience. The aim of physical education is the development of physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially fit citizens through the medium of physical activities. All students will have the opportunity to be involved in activities that will enable them to meet their needs in these areas.
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Copyright
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