Art
The Elementary Art Program is aligned with the National Standards for Arts Education and the Virginia Standards of Learning. The elementary school art program is a concept-based, sequential curriculum that integrates the disciplines of art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and art production. The program is designed to facilitate the development of interests in learning to understand, appreciate, and create works of art. Central to this approach is the focus on content that is derived from a broad range of visual arts with an emphasis on what can be learned from the works of art.
The integrated curriculum is aligned with the core curriculum Standards of Learning which unifies student learning in the arts so that art is not taught as a isolated activity, but one that is integral to human experience. Students develop their communication, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills through written, verbal,and visual expression. The elementary art program includes skill development in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and crafts.
The elementary art program consists of a year course in which students attend art class once a week for 40 minutes. If you need additional information on the Art program contact Anne Wolcott, Office of Instructional Services, at anne.wolcott@vbschools.com.
Chorus
The elementary school chorus program provides unique opportunities for students who demonstrate special vocal skills, aptitudes, and interest to expand and refine their abilities. Choral techniques such as tone production, blend, intonation, and ensemble are stressed using the vocal skills identified in levels four, five, and six of the general music curriculum. Students will be provided the opportunity to experience a variety of vocal styles and literature. If you need additional information on the chorus program contact John Brewington, Office of Instructional Services, at johnh.brewington@vbschools.com.
English as a Second Language
The goal of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program is to teach English to nonnative speakers so that they may acquire the language and communication skills necessary to participate successfully in the mainstream classroom from kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is designed to meet the needs of students at various English proficiency levels. Language and culture taught in the ESL program reinforce skills and concepts taught in all areas of the regular curricula. English language instruction at the kindergarten level supports the kindergarten Standards of Learning and Virginia Beach kindergarten program. In grades 1-5, the English language is taught through the science and social studies Standards of Learning. For further information concerning ESL at the elementary school level, contact Renee Collier, Office of Instructional Services, at renee.collier@vbschools.com.
Family Life Education
Family Life Education is a program of the Virginia Board of Education. School divisions in the Commonwealth have the option of offering the program in their schools. Virginia Beach City Public Schools provides the Family Life Education Program for all of its schools in the second and fifth grades. Instruction is part of the health program and focuses on family living and human development. The opportunity is provided for parents or guardians to opt their children out of some or all of the FLE program lessons. Display copies of the program curriculum, including a description of the resource materials used, are available for review at all public schools, Virginia Beach public libraries, and school division's Office of Media Services (5120 Cleveland Street). A list of the program objectives and additional information for parents are provided annually in the school division's publication, Apple A-Day. For further information, contact Bill Deck, Office of Instructional Services, at william.deck@vbschools.com.
Health Education
The goal of the elementary health program is to focus on developing skills that will help keep the students safe from harm and drug free. The students will learn the importance of how to keep the body healthy through proper care of the body, good nutrition, and avoidance of disease. If you need additional information on the Health Education program contact Bill Deck, Office of Instructional Services, at william.deck@vbschools.com.
The K-5 elementary language arts program utilizes quality literature to support students in their reading, writing, listening, and speaking development. Grade-level Virginia Beach objectives, which include the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL), are modeled, practiced, and applied in meaningful contexts across the curriculum. For additional information on the elementary language arts program, contact one of the following coordinators: Helene Moffatt at helene.moffatt@vbschools.com, Susan Crosland at susanv.crosland@vbschools.com, or Paula Tortolini at paula.tortolini@vbschools.com.
Mathematics
Problem solving is integrated through the six strands of mathematics; Number and Number Sense, Computation and Estimation, Measurement, Geometry, Probability and Statistics, and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. The development of problem-solving skills and independent thinking are major goals of the mathematics program at every grade level. Instruction in the process of problem solving is integrated early and continuously into each student's mathematics education. Students have many opportunities to develop and use the skills of computation, estimation, time, money, measurement, geometry, graphing, probability, and algebra to solve a wide variety
of problems. For additional information on the Mathematics program contact Judy Fisher, Office of Instructional Services, at judy.fisher@vbschools.com.
The study of general music in the elementary school focuses on the development of appreciation, understandings, and attitudes essential to music literacy. The student experiences music through a variety of related activities, which include listening, singing, moving, and playing melodic and chordal instruments. Emphasis is placed on exploration, appreciation, creativity, expression, and enjoyment. Students participate in a music class each week that is taught by a music specialist. The music curriculum is aligned with the core curriculum Standards of Learning. For additional information on the Music program contact John Brewington, Office of Instructional Services, at johnh.brewington@vbschools.com. Orchestra (Strings)
Beginning orchestra is designed to meet the needs of students interested in playing a stringed instrument. Attention is focused on reading basic rhythms and notation and the production of tone and music fundamentals. The students acquire skills described in Proficiency Level One and are usually expected to furnish their own instruments. For additional information on the Orchestra program contact John Brewington, Office of Instructional Services, at johnh.brewington@vbschools.com.
Physical Education
The students participate in activities, which develop basic game skills and body awareness. The program will stress the importance of achieving an appropriate level of physical fitness. Students receive instruction from the physical education specialists and assistants. For additional information on the Physical Education program contact Bill Deck, Office of Instructional Services at william.deck@vbschools.com.
Students participate in a variety of hands-on investigations to study life, physical, and earth sciences. They will use a variety of science processes to explore the world around them. These processes include observing, asking questions, sequencing, measuring, classifying, comparing, inferring, recording information, and using materials safely. The students develop inquiry skills, the ability to make inferences, and observe relationships in the natural and technological world. For additional information on the Science program contact Judy Fisher, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, at judy.fisher@vbschools.com. Social Studies
The elementary social studies program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of history, geography, civics, and economics that enable students to place people, ideas, and events that have shaped our world, nation, and our state in perspective. Students are introduced to ancient civilizations and continue to look at the world with an emphasis on regions of the United States and Virginia. Our program will enable students to understand the basic values, principals, and operation of American democracy in order to prepare them to become informed and responsible citizens. For additional information on the Social Studies program contact Mary Ann Matika, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, at maryann.matika@vbschools.com.
Principles of American Citizenship Character Education Program
Virginia Beach City Public Schools began a program dealing with the characteristics of good citizenship during the 1998-1999 school year. This program is called Principles of American Citizenship and features one principle each month. The principles are responsibility, diligence, respect, kindness, honesty, trustworthiness, cooperation, self-control, and fairness. This character education program is in compliance with the Standards of Quality and 22.1-208.01.
The elementary program provides text and instructional support for the instruction of the character traits outlined in the Principles of American Citizenship and referenced by the Standards of Learning for History and Social Science. Additionally, each elementary school uses Kids With Character, Character Building Activities for the Elementary Classroom.
For additional information on the Social Studies program contact Georgia Christie, Office of Instructional Services, at georgeanne.hribar@vbschools.com.
Special Education
The Special Education Program of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools provides students with disabilities quality educational opportunities. Specific objectives are targeted from the defined curricula to meet the individual needs of each student. The delivery of instruction, through the use of systematic modifications and/or adaptations to instructional techniques, materials, equipment, and the environment, ensures that the unique needs of students with disabilities are appropriately addressed. Each student's overall course of study is precisely defined by the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Further information regarding specific special education programs.