The Arts

The art program at Heschel is designed to encourage children to visually express their ideas and feelings. Beginning in 1st Grade children learn to explore a variety of materials and to use line, color, and shape to organize and create original work. They also learn to appreciate different artistic styles as they explore the work of established artists. These early art experiences become the foundation for increasingly complex subject matter as the children use paint, clay, collage, drawing, and construction techniques. Throughout the Lower School years teachers guide children to develop their skills, to recognize their individual strengths, and to take risks to overcome difficulties as they arise. Museum trips provide another means of stimulating discussion and opening children's eyes to new ways of seeing the world and expressing themselves.

Music plays a significant role in the culture of The Heschel School. The joy of music is heard during assembly programs, in the elevators, the hallways, and the classrooms. The music program provides opportunities for students to develop music literacy skills, aural discrimination and a love of music through both Hebrew and English music. Interactive, age appropriate, response-centered, fun-filled learning nurtures musical strengths and develops musical potential, enabling students to develop and think as musicians. Direct experiences in making music, including singing, moving, hearing, playing, improvising and writing music, are offered in a sequence based on the work of twentieth century music educators/composers Zoltán Kodály, Carl Orff and Emile Jaques-Dalcroze. As a singing-based curriculum, vocal development is at the core of all musical activities. All types of songs, including religious, Hebrew, and multicultural songs, are integral to this curriculum. The repertoire represents many periods and styles and includes singing games and authentic folk songs. Xylophones and rhythm instruments are used to reinforce skills.

Each grade prepares for a music performance in conjunction with one or more major class events: Grade 1 Publishing Party; Grade 2 Siddur Ceremony; and the Grade 3 Humash Ceremony. Grade 4 participates in Zimriyah (song festival), and the Grade 5 has a Moving Up Ceremony at the end of the year to mark the passage from Lower School to Middle School. Songs are practiced for these performances during music class as well as during additional rehearsal times.