Arts
The fine arts curriculum is offered beginning at the K4 level continuing
through grade 12. The fine arts faculty consistently works to integrate
all subjects through the teaching of the fine arts disciplines: band, drama,
music and visual fine art.
Springwood’s fine and performing arts faculty is dedicated to remaining current in their respective disciplines. This is evident through coursework to upgrade teaching certificates, membership and participation in state and nationally recognized fine art organizations and professional participation the respective disciplines.
The faculty regularly seeks ways to improve and promote its programs.
The participation of individuals and groups of students in local, district,
state and national competitions typically results in very high ratings
for those participants. The faculty often plan fine art events that coincide
with specific units of study and provide cohesiveness and integration between
individual disciplines.
In performing arts, Springwood students have many opportunities to excel.
Students in grades 3-6 may take part in the Elementary chorus in addition
to their individual grade level music classes. All fourth grade students
are required to take part in learning and performing on the Recorder as
an introduction to instrumental music. Instrumental music is continued
in the fifth grade with Beginning Band and sixth grade Intermediate Band.
At the seventh through twelfth grade levels, Springwood offers a myriad
of performing arts in which a student would participate in as many as his
or her schedule will allow. A student may participate in Concert Band,
Jazz Band and Pep Band, Chorus, and the Drama program.
Visual Arts
Beginning at the K4 level, students are required to take visual arts through
the ninth grade. Ninth through twelfth grade students may elect to participate
in the visual arts studio classes in either two-dimensional or three dimensional
art, and Graphic Design. Students seeking advanced classed are encouraged
to Advance Placement courses in Drawing Portfolio, 2D Portfolio, and or
3D Portfolio. Students in the eleventh grade are required to take one semester
of Art Appreciation to enhance their well –roundness and perspective on
the world around them.
K4 through ninth grade visual art classes focus on teaching through sequential
learning a strong foundation in the language of art, tools, different media,
processes and techniques, critical analysis and thinking skills. Students
are encouraged to “think outside the box” in the visual arts. In addition,
students hone their writing skills in the visual arts through written critiques.
Performing Arts
At the junior high and high school levels, drama is offered as both
a formal classroom activity as well as an after-school extracurricular activity.
In addition to being trained in the basics of stage performance, students
have the opportunity to perform in and to assist in the production of a
full-length play in the fall, to compete in the AISA Drama Festival held
annually in January, and to perform in the annual talent show/dinner theater
in March. The latter of these events encourages participation of elementary
students. Training in the dramatic arts is an on-going activity as the
preparations for performances and competitions take place throughout the
school year.