The Skokie School

Exploratory Classes

The Explorations Department at Skokie offers a strong program, focusing on exploration, discovery of talents and interests, problem solving, independence and creativity. The exploratories curriculum addresses different learning styles of middle school students by offering new experiences emphasizing teamwork, developing aesthetic values, encouraging quality craftsmanship, enhancing creative resources, and promoting physical well being of the student. The following courses are the exploratory courses for The Skokie School's fifth and sixth graders. ART: Provides experiences such as drawing, painting, sculpture, weaving, and developing art appreciation through the study of art history. The website will provide visual and interactive examples of the program. CONCERT BAND: Further develops the skills acquired in the 5th grade program through theory studies, daily practices and performances throughout the year. This band is a full year commitment. (JAZZ BANDS: Concert band members are eligible for Jazz Band. They must audition at the beginning of the year that will determine which band they perform with for the year. Both jazz bands (Lion and Jazz Ensemble) perform throughout the year. The groups meets twice weekly - once in the morning and once after school.) EXTRAVAGANZA: A 5th Grade Fine and Performing Arts Culminating Exhibition. All the 5th graders of Skokie School join together the disciplines of art, music, drama and dance in an exciting performance. Enter to view a thorough display of both process and product of the years pre-2004, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. CHORUS: This extra-curricular class focuses on fun music in two-part harmony. The ensemble will meet before school. This group will sing at choral concerts and at other school events throughout the year. CREATE A MUSEUM: This class provides students with the opportunity to engage in authentic inquiry, while addressing oral, visual and computer presentation skills. This experience results in communicating their findings through a museum exhibit, complete with interactive activities, geared to elementary students. DRAMA: Develops comfort and skill with verbalizing student's creativity and expressing one's self physically. Students participate in various theatrical activities such as puppetry, pantomime, storytelling, improvisation, and basic acting/characterization skills. Students are introduced to the history of theater by reflecting on today's theater. GENERAL MUSIC: General music focuses on experiencing music though listening, performing, and creating. Students also learn basic music skills, which allows them to create music of their own. Singing and listening to music is something the students really enjoy. This class also strives to make connections between music and technology. Music appreciation through the study of music throughout history is also taught. ORCHESTRA: Continues the string program as developed in the elementary schools with a focus on the development and refinement of techniques needed for playing stringed instruments as a member of an ensemble. Includes study of music theory through written assignments as well as study of all aspects of orchestral playing: scale work, intonation, dynamics, bowing and general musicianship. A full year commitment. SPANISH: 5th grade students will take three four-week units of Spanish while 6th grade students will take two nine-week units during the year. The Spanish curriculum will cover concepts contained in the introductory section of the seventh grade book while reinforcing the Spanish introduced during the elementary years. Students will have their own workbooks and will be using the language while participating in hands-on activities and being exposed to a variety of audio/visual materials. SKOKIE SERVES INC.: students will participate in numerous service learning projects extending themselves to the school, Winnetka, and Chicago communities. This class will offer an in-depth exposure to the important goals and skills of service learning to broaden service learning experiences. Students will research community needs, suggest ways in which they may be of service, plan and implement these projects. Time will be spent evaluating and reflecting on the student's participation and the effect that the service project had on them and the community. Kinetic Wellness: Check out the web site!