Visual Arts

Art in the Lower School involves looking,thinking, and doing. Each project, concept,or medium is introduced so that each student has the opportunity to participate in a discussion that involves observation, logical problem solving, and exploration.

Lower School students enjoy looking at art. Prints, slides, and film strips provide opportunities to appreciate and experience the work of masters, contemporary artists, and peers. Through these enrichment activities, they are exposed to individual styles and learn to respect work that is different from their own. They also increase their visual knowledge of how to create new and original works.

Group discussions about art prints, slides, videos, and actual objects teach the students not only to observe closely but to compare and contrast. How big is this vase compared to the apple? Which object is closest to you? How did the artist show energy in the sky? These types of questions encourage the student to think about art in an analytical way by making decisions and solving problems.

Thinking about art also includes trips to museums, reading books about artists, observing the beauty of our natural environment, and learning to appreciate the practical designs of man-made objects. After the decisions are made and the problems are solved, the Lower School artists create their own art, using a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Throughout each activity, the students are encouraged to experiment and discover new ways of expressing themselves visually. Rendering the minute details in pen and ink, designing a three-dimensional sculpture, or creating an original puppet requires a basic conceptual understanding but also cultivates individual ideas and creativity.

Music

All Berwick Academy Lower School students attend a general music class once weekly with a music specialist. Additionally, kindergartners through second graders have a group piano keyboard class with Barbara Wilson once a week, and third graders have group violin classes with Sally Wituszynski. Fourth graders are introduced to band and orchestra instruments during their general music classes, and have a concentration in recorder playing. Informal classroom singing is a common occurrence, and an all-lower-school singalong takes place once a month.

Mini-Blues is a choral ensemble for third and fourth graders. Everyone is welcome to join in our rehearsals once a week during lunch recess.

Mini-Strings is an instrumental ensemble for Lower School students, taught by Sally Wituszynski.  Participants must have either graduated from our third grade violin class or have taken private lessons on an instrument for at least one year in order to join us. Our emphasis is on violins, but other instruments are welcome. The ensemble meets once a week during lunch recess.

Private music lessons on campus are available to Lower School students through our Applied Music Program.

Theater and Dance

The Lower School participates in a theater production each year. With fourth graders taking lead roles, students explore a theme through music, story and movement.

There are many offerings for Lower School students in the Dance Program. Classes are offered during lunch recess. Dance students are expected to perform in the Spring Dance Performance each year.