Specials

Art Department

The mission of the art education program at Pinewood Elementary is to promote 21st century learning through project based experiences.  Students learn to be creative, think critically and solve problems, communicate and collaborate through visual arts.

Goals:

• Create a 21st Century learning environment in which Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration are fundamental in hands on learning opportunities and activities.
• To create inter-disciplinary connections with other academic content areas (art & math; art & literature; art and culture/social studies).
• To educate students about our visual culture while promoting creativity and self-expression. 
• To teach problem-solving skills and critical thinking methods.
• Learning history and culture through art appreciation and creation.
• Explore a variety of art mediums to communicate ideas and feelings.
• Create an atmosphere where students have a “can do” attitude.

Curriculum, Art Mediums, and Portfolios:

• Students will be exposed to a variety of art mediums including drawing, painting, sculpting/ceramics, printmaking/stenciling, collage, and mixed-media.
• Our art curriculum is based on the MN State Standards in the visual arts and encompasses art appreciation, and art history, art making, self-expression, as well as the basic elements and principles of design.
• Students create a portfolio of work that shows their progress throughout each trimester. Portfolios are sent home on a trimester basis or at the end of the school year.

STEM Goals

• Critical thinking: Developing the ability to analyze information and approach challenges logically.

• Creativity and innovation: Encouraging students to experiment, innovate and think outside the box.
• Promote collaboration and communication: STEM activities often require students to work together, share ideas and communicate their solutions effectively.
• Problem-solving: Teaching students how to break down complex problems and find solutions through hands-on activities and critical thinking.
• Curiosity and engagement: Igniting a love for science, technology, and discovery through exploration and investigation. Students will utilize the scientific method and engineering design process.
• Perseverance and Motivation: Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, celebrating effort over just answers, fostering a growth mindset and providing hands-on, project-based learning opportunities.
• Skills for the future: Equipping students with essential 21st-century skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers. Including widely applicable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, creative problem solving, project management, innovative thinking and a confidence that arise from personal and collaborative achievement.

Pinewood Music Department

Anne Miller and Katy Horgen have worked together to provide a fun music experience through incorporating many games and activities into the students' learning. We aim to inspire students to be creative and gain an appreciation for music. We look forward to continuing to develop musicians who have an understanding of many different styles.

The Pinewood music department is committed to enriching students' lives through comprehensive music education. We will nurture in each student: artistic development, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of excellence by offering choral, instrumental and music appreciation experiences. Through performing and responding to music, we will foster teamwork, growth in self-esteem, respect for other cultures, community connections, and a life-long recognition of the intrinsic worth of music in the human experience.

Music Goals:

• Create an atmosphere where students can take risks while exploring and creating music.

• Learning culture and history through exploring music around the world.

• To teach Creativity, Effective Communication and Collaboration through hands-on learning. 

• To create cross-curriculum connections with other academic content areas (music & math; music & reading; music & history).

• Explore a vast array of musical styles to help create critical thinking.

Curriculum, Music Instruments, Concerts:

• Students will be exposed to a variety of different musical instruments including pianos, recorders, glockenspiels, ukuleles and a variety of unpitched and pitched percussion instruments.

• Our music curriculum is based on the MN State Standards in the music arts and encompasses music appreciation, music history, music making, self-expression, basic elements and principles of design.

• Students will perform in a grade level concert in 1st, 3rd & 5th grade. We will also have smaller performances in 2nd & 4th grade (for peers).

Physical Education

The mission of Pinewood’s Physical Education Department is to educate minds, develop healthy bodies, and promote positive attitudes towards lifetime physical activity and fitness.

District Physical Education Goals and Standards

Standard 1 - The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.

Standard 2 - The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.

Standard 3 - The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.

Standard 4 - The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.

Standard 5 - The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.