Curriculum

Canterbury's arts curriculum develops an appreciation for our rich artistic heritage, as well as specific skills in art, music, and drama. Sequential lessons help each student find success, so that no one student begins to believe that he or she has insuffient talent to participate fully. At Canterbury, we want students to love the arts and to experience first hand how the arts enliven our world.

Art

Canterbury’s art program uses a hands-on approach designed to empower all students to be art-makers by developing specific skills in drawing and a variety of other media.

Self-reflection and evaluation are integral parts of the art making process, and learning and goal setting are viewed as collaboration between the student and the teacher. Art from a variety of cultures is explored so that students gain an understanding of the diverse aesthetics, motivations, and goals of artists, as well as an appreciation for art history.

  • Art K-5: Lower school students learn the elements and principles of design and are exposed to the work of artists throughout history. Each student develops a portfolio that is shared with parents in a student-led conference at the end of the year.

  • Art 6: Students complete four intensive units designed to complement the social studies curriculum. Focusing on some of the most interesting historical art periods, students delve into the motivation and goals of artists as well as the processes they have used to create their art. Studio experiences are designed to capture the interests of students and to develop skills in drawing and design.

  • Art Elective 7/8: Building onprevious experiences in drawing and various media, art elective studentsfurther develop their skills while exploring personal interests and directions. Students are required to be self-motivated and to do regular self-evaluations in written and other forms. The semester culminates in an art show in which each student presents a body of work and an artist’s statement reflecting his or her goals and major influences.

Music

Canterbury’s music program encourages appreciation for many different styles of music and fosters skill development in singing, playing in ensembles, and creating music. Students learn about the five elements of music and the major musical periods throughout history. Classes engage students in singing, moving, playing instruments, reading, writing, and improvising and expose them to a wide variety of ethnic music. Teaching methods include Kodaly, Orff, Dalcroze, and Music for People.

  • Music K-4:  The K-4 music program is an experiential, hands-on program in which concepts and skills are presented through movement, improvisation, playing, singing, and listening activities. Students use the Kodaly singing method and learn musical concepts by playing Orff instruments, hand percussion, and African drums, and by engaging in listening activities. Solfeggio is used for ear training and for learning to read music.

  • Chorus:  Chorus is open to all students in grades five through eight.  Students learn to utilize their singing voice through proper vocal techniques, including breath support, body alignment, and the relaxed production of vocal tone.  They are exposed to music from different time periods and of varying styles, and they learn how to listen to, evaluate, and describe music and musical performances.

  • Band:  Band is offered to all students in grades five through eight.  No prior experience is necessary or expected for beginning band students.  The band director meets with each beginning student individually to help him or her choose an instrument. 

  • Handbells Elective 7/8: Students who choose Handbells as their elective learn to read musical scores, use musical dynamics, and play three different octaves of bells. Students also learn a variety of techniques, including martellato, swing, echo, pluck, and the use of mallets. Students perform throughout the semester in chapel and school-wide programs.


Middle School Electives

ACT (Adventures in Computer Technology): ACT is designed to help students make the best use of all the newest technology available at Canterbury. Using digital cameras, midi keyboards, and video camcorders, students learn the different components of the Apple iLife series of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, and GarageBand, and how they easily integrate to create impressive multimedia presentations. Skills such as adding video and sound files to PowerPoint or creating graphic organizers with Inspiration software enhance the creative process.

Art 7/8 (see ART)

Creative Writing: This elective allows students the opportunity to explore and to unleash their creative spirit. Students learn about and produce a variety of styles of creative writing including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The class focuses on writing as an expression of the self with conventions and characteristics different from academic writing. All students read their work aloud during either the Winter or Spring Arts Festival.

Drama: The drama elective is designed to stimulate the student’s natural "dramatic" imagination and provide experience and confidence in personal communication. Through free-form, creative role-playing, scene construction, awareness of voice and body, and disciplined dramatic performance, students are given the opportunity to respond emotionally, reflectively, and imaginatively to their world and themselves.

Handbells: Students who choose Handbells as their elective learn to read musical scores, use musical dynamics, and play three different octaves of bells.   Students also learn a variety of techniques, including martellato, swing, echo, pluck, and the use of mallets. Students perform throughout the semester in chapel and school-wide programs.