Fine and Performing Arts
Tubman has been a Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Cluster school since 1999.
Students at Tubman receive arts instruction in Music (pre-K to 8th), Dance (pre-K to 8th), Drama (pre-K to 7th), and Visual Arts (6th to 8th) during the school year, with a focus on inquiry-based instruction and arts integration throughout all subject areas. Partnerships with Music House and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra provide additional arts experiences to the students.
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The district has awarded our school Exemplary status in the Fine and Performing Arts, as well as a Creative Schools Certification rating of Arts Excelling.
Fine Arts in the PYP (Pre-K to 5th grade)
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Music instruction follows the Kodaly Method. Students explore music through song, movement and playing percussion instruments. By developing and maintaining a varied repertoire of folk songs, students learn about the elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, tone, form, tempo, dynamics) as well as rhythmic and melodic notation. Rhythmic and melodic work includes ear training, reading standard notation, and performing (e.g. singing, signing, clapping). Thematic material connects to the six PYP transdisciplinary themes.
Dance instruction follows the dance class and choreography format Students explore dance through rhythm making, isolations, ballet movement and across the floor locomotor and non-locomotor movements. Students learn about the elements of dance (body, action, space, time and energy). Students work on choreography for the Winter Dance Show. Thematic material connects to the six PYP transdisciplinary themes.
Drama instruction enables students to explore the elements of drama (voice, body, mind) through Imaginative play, improvisation, narrative pantomime, storytelling, and story dramatization. Thematic material connects to the six PYP transdisciplinary themes.
Fine Arts in the MYP (6th to 8th grade)
Music instruction is organized around units of study that emphasize music history, music composition, and percussion techniques. In addition, students review all K-5th concepts through the use of Orff instruments, drums, boomwhackers, and hand bells. The study of the elements of music is focused on meter, chord progressions, and major and minor tonalities. Thematic material connects to the six MYP global contexts.
Dance instruction is organized around units of study that emphasize dance composition and choreography techniques. The study of the elements of dance is focused on creating choreography for the Winter Dance Show. Thematic material connects to the six MYP global contexts.
Drama instruction is organized around units of study that emphasize playwriting and puppetry. Thematic material connects to the six MYP global contexts.
Visual Arts instruction is organized around units of study that emphasize the fundamentals of drawing and principles of design. Thematic material connects to the six MYP global contexts.
Fine Arts performances
Tubman students perform in the Winter Dance Show and quarterly Arts Integration Showcases. Additional performance opportunities include the Talent Show, as well as after-school programs such as Spring Musical, Guitar Club, and Music House Violin and Ukulele.
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