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McKinley K-8
Visual and Performing Arts Focus School
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of McKinley K-8 School is to provide a collaborative learning environment that enables all students to reach their academic and artistic potential. We will accomplish this mission by providing a rigorous curriculum and instruction of the highest quality utilizing the resources of the school, home, and community. We will maintain high expectations, foster a positive and orderly school environment, and frequently monitor student progress. It is our firm belief that the integration of academic and artistic training will strengthen character, clarify judgment, and refine sensitivity.
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS
McKinley K-8 School is designed to develop the full academic and artistic potential of all students. The arts are both integrated into other core academic content areas, as well as taught as discreet subject matters. Classroom teachers provide an integrated approach stressing creativity, artistic expression, and historical and cultural context. Arts specialists provide focused arts training instruction. Experiences and training are designed to challenge and develop the skills of all students. The ultimate goal is to have each student achieve his/her maximum potential both artistically and academically.
In seven short years, McKinley has won the Bravo Award (excellence in the arts) and the Title I Achievement Award (closing the achievement gap). Our next goal is to become a California Distinguished School.
McKinley K-8 School follows the general curriculum guidelines that are used for all Pasadena Unified School District elementary and middle Schools. Instruction is provided in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education along with specialized instruction in the arts—visual art, drama, instrumental and vocal music, dance, media arts, creative writing and related computer lab experiences.
In addition, the school is intended to provide an environment for students to develop their intellectual insight, leadership, and sense of community responsibility. Underlying this goal is the belief that sound training and discipline in the arts builds character, judgment, sensitivity and insight important to good citizenship as well as academic and career success. Community partnerships are an integral facet in providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for intellectual, artistic, and cultural growth as well as exposure to careers in the arts. Parents also play a key role through their involvement in, and support of, instructional programs.
In addition, the school is intended to provide an environment for students to develop their intellectual insight, leadership, and sense of community responsibility. Underlying this goal is the belief that sound training and discipline in the arts builds character, judgment, sensitivity and insight important to good citizenship as well as academic and career success. Community partnerships are an integral facet in providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for intellectual, artistic, and cultural growth as well as exposure to careers in the arts. Parents also play a key role through their involvement in, and support of, instructional programs.
Fundamental to the philosophy of McKinley K-8 School is the precept that children learn by doing and performing. It is the goal of the school to provide as many performance opportunities as possible with the highest level of quality. High quality performance must be preceded and accompanied by professional high quality instruction and training. Classes in the arts will be taught to students at all grade levels by qualified arts specialists whenever possible (see attached matrix outlining the arts offerings).
Qualities valued by the school for the creative arts are dedication, integrity, a desire to learn, and the commitment for excellence.
The Primary Grades (K-2):
The primary grades are given a strong academic background. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to engage in visual arts, music, drama and dance on a weekly basis. The classroom teachers work together to integrate the academic and arts curriculum.
The Intermediate Grades (3-5):
The intermediate grades provide academic excellence through the arts by offering a semester of choral/music appreciation; a semester of instrumental instruction; and instrumental pull-out for violin, orchestra and band. The classroom teacher, creative arts specialists, and community arts partners work together to integrate the arts instruction into the core curriculum. Other opportunities in the performing arts are provided through grade-level performances and school-wide productions.
Middle School Grades (6-8):
The middle grades program includes arts integrated instruction in all basic subjects, as well as in-depth and specialized instructional offerings in one or more art forms. Abundant opportunities to perform and to explore other art forms are provided for students throughout the year as part of the regular curriculum and after school.
Community Arts Partners
- The Armory Center for the Arts
- The Music Center
- PUSD’s “My Masterpieces”
- Pasadena Playhouse
The Arts
Visual Art
Students are exposed to various art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, ceramics and sculpture. Emphasis is on creative process, critical thinking and responding with consideration given to all of the issues involved in artistic creativity. Each grade level will explore the elements and principals of art as developmentally appropriate, and in connection with the five California content strands in the arts; artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relationships and application. Visual art is an integral part of the school curriculum, fostering students’ self-confidence, character development, and appreciation for learning. Cultural field trips are embedded in the visual arts instruction at all grade levels.
Students are exposed to various art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, ceramics and sculpture. Emphasis is on creative process, critical thinking and responding with consideration given to all of the issues involved in artistic creativity. Each grade level will explore the elements and principals of art as developmentally appropriate, and in connection with the five California content strands in the arts; artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relationships and application. Visual art is an integral part of the school curriculum, fostering students’ self-confidence, character development, and appreciation for learning. Cultural field trips are embedded in the visual arts instruction at all grade levels.
Drama
The Drama department offers students a wide variety of performance opportunities and skills development. Within the curriculum, process activities stress critical thinking and creative problem solving in order to support academic development. Instruction focuses on building student self-confidence, creative expression, and cooperative learning. Students also explore alternate forms of self-expression. The primary grades (K-2) focus on developing performance skills in pantomime, tableau, improvisation, story enactment, and memorization of plays, poetry and prose. Intermediate grades (3-5) continue to hone their skills with a focus on developing an understanding of the structure of plays. In addition, acting, character analysis and development, and movement are explored. In the middle school (6-8) students have the opportunity to explore improvisation, script analysis, and scene work. During their study, students are provided context for their work in the teaching of theatre history. They also explore set design and set construction. Original monologues and published plays are encouraged. There are many performance opportunities outside the school; including the fall and spring drama productions.
Music
There are opportunities for vocal, instrumental and rhythmic expression in all grades. In kindergarten through eighth grade, this occurs through both general music, and choral instruction, where basic music skills and concepts are explored. Starting in second grade all students begin instrumental instruction in keyboard (2nd and 3rd) and guitar (4th and 5th) with an emphasis on building reading, performing and analysis skills. Students may elect to receive additional in-depth instruction in violin and band instruments (2nd through 8th). Qualified students may participate in string orchestra, band and elementary and middle school chorus before or after school. Numerous performance opportunities are provided for students in both the choral and instrumental programs.
Dance
Dance at McKinley is offered in the primary grades through integrated curriculum with an emphasis on traditional (folk) dance. After school dance instruction is offered to students third through eighth grades in ballet, modern and jazz techniques. Physical Education curriculum also includes an 8-week dance unit. Performance opportunities at all grade levels round out the program.
Media Production/6th Grade Film Project
The sixth grade media production program emphasizes hands-on experience in all aspects of the media production. Students learn to operate studio equipment and gain knowledge, experience and skills in producing, directing, technical directing, script writing, editing and acting for the camera. Projects are shared with the school community through the 6th grade film project, and students are encouraged to participate in statewide writing competitions.
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Visual & Performing Arts Offerings at McKinley
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Grade Level
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Instrumental Music
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Choral/Music App
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Visual Arts
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Drama
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Dance
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Kindergarten
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Music Appreciation and singing lessons, 45 minutes per week for 35 weeks total.
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Art Specialist available to K-5 teachers (sign up) one hour per day.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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Music Center - 45 minutes per week for 6 weeks total.
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First
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Music Appreciation and singing lessons, 45 minutes per week for 35 weeks total.
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Art Specialist available to K-5 teachers (sign up) one hour per day.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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Music Center - 45 minutes per week for 6 weeks total.
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Second
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Keyboards - 40 min. per week for 18 weeks (sem. 2). Violin (pull-out) available all year.
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Music Appreciation and singing lessons, 45 minutes per week for 18 weeks (sem. 1).
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Art Specialist available to K-5 teachers (sign up) one hour per day.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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Third
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Keyboards - 40 min. per week for 18 weeks (sem. 1). Violin (pull-out) available all year.
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Music Appreciation and singing 45 minutes per week for 18 weeks (sem 2).Chorus (after school-2 hrs/week) all year.
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Art Specialist available to K-5 teachers (sign up) one hour per day.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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After school program only: 90 minutes, twice a week for 35 weeks total.
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Fourth
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Guitars - 55 min. per week for 18 weeks (sem. 2). Orchestra (pull-out) and Band (pull-out) available all year.
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Music Appreciation and singing 45 minutes per week for 18 weeks (sem 1).Chorus (after school-2 hrs/week) all year.
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Armory contract 2 hours per week for 6 weeks (CIE) + Art Specialist available to teachers.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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After school program only: 90 minutes, twice a week for 35 weeks total.
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Fifth
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Guitars - 55 min. per week for 18 weeks (sem. 1). Orchestra (pull-out) and Band (pull-out) available all year.
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Music Appreciation and singing 45 minutes per week for 18 weeks (sem 2).Chorus (after school-2 hrs/week) all year.
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SRA - 1 hour per week by classroom teacher, 18 weeks total. Art Specialist available to K-5 teachers (sign up) one hour per day.
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Drama Teacher available one hour per day for K-5 teachers who sign up + classroom & grade level performances
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After school program only: 90 minutes, twice a week for 35 weeks total.
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Middle School
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Middle School Band & select group in Orchestra, 4.5 hours per week for 38 weeks
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Middle School Chorus (after school - 2 hrs/week) for 18 weeks (sem 1). Students can audition for Spring musical for sem 2.
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Art elective offered to 7th & 8th grade students
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Drama elective offered to 7th & 8th grade students. Drama component as part of the 6th grade film.
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After school program only: 90 minutes, twice a week for 35 weeks total.
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Distinguished artist José Antonio Aguirre has participated in over 130 solo and collective exhibitions of paintings and prints, both nationally and internationally. He has created more that 26 permanent works of public art in the U.S. and Mexico. Collections of his work are permanently located in Germany, Mexico, New York and Los Angeles. You can view two of his recently commissioned mosaics at the Metro Gold Line Highland Avenue station stop and at the East Los Angeles Public Library!
Over 700 McKinley K through 6th graders had the opportunity to work closely with José Antonio during February, March, and April of 2006, as they planned and created this visually expansive mosaic. Students met by class with José Antonio, and learned by their experiential collaboration the unique steps and techniques in creating mosaic murals.
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