ELEMENTARY CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
As part of Serendipity School’s educational experience of a balanced education, the school offers many Co-Curricular Programs. These Programs include:
- Enhanced Art
- Music
- Drama
- Physical Education
- World Language (Mandarin or Spanish)
- Innovation and Technology
- Life Skills
- Library
Enhanced Art
Serendipity School’s Art Program is based on creative problem solving, art appreciation, and the creation of artwork in a supportive environment that encourages experimentation, self-expression, risk-taking, and creativity. As artists in the program progress throughout the year they will learn and explore fundamental art skills and concepts that include:
- Integration of the emotional and intellectual learning process
- Development of an awareness and sensitivity to works of art
- Practice with the elements and principles of art
- Familiarity with various artists and their works of art
- Experience with materials and techniques
- Encouragement of individual interpretations and applications
- Strengthening of concentration, drawing, and listening skills
- Enhancement of fine motor control and hand-eye coordination
- Building self-esteem through lessons which encourage the strengths and
imaginations of students
All lessons stress the process of creation as compared to the product, which further deepens the thought process and supports creative problem-solving. Serendipity artists work on short activities designed to strengthen their realistic drawing skills, as well as longer projects that incorporate art history, criticism, and aesthetics to support the studio experience.
Music
The Serendipity Music program, rooted in the Orff approach, embraces a developmental method that seamlessly integrates music, movement, and drama, and into the lessons Central to the program's philosophy is the belief that every student should engage with music critically and emotionally to establish a robust foundation for lifelong musical exploration. Students are encouraged to express themselves through various facets of musical education—singing, exploring diverse ways of moving to music, experimenting with the steady beat, playing instruments, and honing the ability to listen, discuss, and respond thoughtfully to music. We believe in nurturing a profound appreciation for the art form and laying the groundwork for a lifetime of musical expression.
Drama
Serendipity School’s Drama Program is a wonderful exposure to the world of dramatic arts. Each child is met at his or her comfort and skill levels and is gently encouraged to pursue greater and more challenging feats. Serendipity students become proficient public speakers and communicators. Confidence and self-esteem play major roles in the Drama Program and develop considerably and grow over time. All classes practice and perform small plays and musicals on subjects relevant to the curriculum. Students also prepare for school-wide performances and events.
Our Drama Program provides students with confidence, theatrical creativity, and positive self-worth. Through creative expression, school performances, and exciting drama activities, students expand their artistic horizons and develop into confident and prepared individuals
Physical Education
Serendipity School’s Physical Education Program focuses on physical literacy, and establishes an atmosphere where students can experience success, acceptance, security, understanding, and self-respect while having a great time. Students experience many movement activities, utilize movements in a variety of situations, and learn that physical activity provides an opportunity for enjoyment, challenge, personal well-being, and self-expression.
Students demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior as well as understand the importance of respect for others Students in the Physical Education Program participate in various traditional sports including basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball/softball, and track and field. They also engage in alternative sports and non-traditional games. These activities include team-building games, frisbee games, dance, badminton, and tumbling. Students begin each school year with Training Camp where they learn the rules and participate in several challenges designed to enhance communication and team building skills. Physical Education also includes Awesome Anataomy: a program which ties the study of the muscles, bones, and systems of the body to physical literacy.
Serendipity School Physical Education students know, “If you had fun, you won!” The joy and freedom of movement, the feeling of being an important part of a team, and the process of just plain having fun are central to any day in P.E. Imagination and fantasy also play a major role in our Physical Education Program. Young students are given frequent opportunities to use their imaginations during games and play; this allows children to learn physical skills in an engaging and exciting way.
Our Physical Education Program provides students with a basic understanding of all the fitness and health principles that accompany physical activity/performance, as well as a lifetime love of physical activity, health, and wellness.
World Language (Mandarin or Spanish)
Mandarin
Serendipity’s Mandarin Program exposes students to the Mandarin language and culture in an enjoyable and educational manner. The students learn to read, write, and speak Mandarin. They also have frequent opportunities to sing, cook, dance, play games, create beautiful art, and participate in many other enjoyable activities that enhance their understanding and appreciation of the Mandarin language.
The global awareness gained from learning a world language will last a lifetime. Therefore, cultural studies are an important part of the study of Mandarin at Serendipity. Students explore the many cultures and customs of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Chinese-speaking countries. Students also compare and contrast these cultures to other world cultures, including American culture. Students begin to understand, through this process, that there are many similarities and differences between the myriad cultures of our world. Students also gain awareness and an appreciation of cultural differences, and are given tools to become well-rounded world citizens of the future.
Spanish
Serendipity’s Spanish program allows students to acquire skills in the Spanish language and to study world cultures in a fun and dynamic way. Students develop vocabulary and an understanding of the mechanics of the language, gain fluency, and communicate in the target language using the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students learn through a variety of methodologies such as visual, auditory, and TPR (Totally Physical Response), which is how they learn and remember ACTION words — they will act the words out.The students read, sing, cook, dance, play games, write, and participate in many other exciting activities.
Through learning Spanish and exploring various Latin-American and Spanish-speaking cultures and customs, students begin to understand that our wide and varied world is home to incredible human diversity–which is a great strength. Students identify and examine similarities and differences amidst various world cultures and begin to understand that every person is an important part of the one world in which we all live.
Innovation and Technology
Our dynamic co-curricular Innovation classroom offers students and teachers the technology, space, and tools to engage in a developmentally-appropriate Innovation & Design curriculum to enhance classroom learning. Collaboration with the classroom teachers results in Makerspace & Technology skills designed to foster critical thinking, problem solving skills and creativity for our K-5th grade students. The Serendipity Innovation Program is embodied in our Annual Pumpkin Event during which each class designs and builds a go cart made out of a pumpkin and enters it in The Fall Fair Pumpkin Cart Showdown!
K-2 Innovation
The lower grade Innovation program embraces a child’s sense of wonder and possibility, and instills the prerequisite skills needed to enter the world of coding, computer skills and graphic design. Occurring in the Innovation/Tech Lab as well as in the classrooms, our K-2 Innovation program is entirely hands on, active, and joyful.
Sample explorations are Tinkering lessons that include cardboard and wood building (drill, hammer/nails, screwdrivers, and woodworking), Take Things Apart curriculum, robots, ozobots, and lego robotics.
In addition to simple building skills utilizing hammers, nails, screwdriver and drills, the sequence of the program evolves to learning how to use and program top quality materials and maker tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, Graphic design programs, and introduction to the versatile functions of the iPad.
3-5 Technology
In our upper grades, the students build on the knowledge they’ve gained in design, 3D printing, laser cutting, tech & maker tools, and project management to learn more sophisticated coding and application. Our Innovation teacher works closely with the classroom teachers to integrate and utilize technology to enhance student learning in the classroom and the Innovation Lab.
They learn how to use Macbook Pros to aid in research and presentations as well as continue to creatively employ game design, stop motion animation, and filmmaking.
Life Skills
Serendipity School’s Life Skills Program teaches character education and promotes character-building skills that the children will be able to take with them and use throughout life. Life Skills nurtures the whole child socially and emotionally, and helps the students to adopt qualities that will enable them to become better human beings. The activities and discussions will help to build a sense of community in the classroom and in school, and they will reinforce the importance of positive values for school and everyday life.
Our Life Skills Program is extremely important and is a key ingredient of the development of the whole child. This Program provides our students with important tools that they will use now and in the future.
Library
Serendipity’s Library supports children’s independent reading, classroom learning, and student research. Our goal is to prepare students to become lifelong learners who are confident users of information and who love reading for pleasure.
The Serendipity Library introduces students to a wide array of fiction and non-fiction selections. Our collection includes Newberry and Caldecott award winners, reference materials, picture books and easy readers, and classic and contemporary series.
Minds and imaginations are inspired in our school Library and students develop into passionate and enthusiastic readers.
Serendipity has a well-balanced program that allows children not only to learn and grow academically but also to enjoy their childhood and have fun while teaching them respect for one another, their school, and their environment. They teach them how to be a change in society and help others while allowing the kids to be who they are. Serendipity is not just a school it is our family away from home.”Serendipity Parent