Learning & Encore Specialists, Physical Education & Health

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is responsible for setting student learning expectations (standards) for what all students should know and be able to do as a result of skilled instruction. Each local school district develops curricula based on these established standards. Read more on the NYSED Standards & Instruction website.

Performing Arts

Students in Performing Arts classes at Hawthorne grow as musicians. They have opportunities to engage in creating and developing their natural musicianship and theatrical talents through play, learning, rehearsal and performance. They enhance their language by learning music vocabulary and songs from various genres and cultures. Students also learn about rhythm, pitch and movement. Students play percussion instruments individually and in ensembles, allowing them to develop their skills of communication through music. Our student performers progress from kindergarten through second grade, engaging in a diverse array of formative musical experiences.

Visual Arts

Students in Visual Arts classes at Hawthorne grow as artists. They have opportunities to engage in creating artwork in a variety of artistic media; drawing, painting, collage, etc. Students will also view and discuss a wide selection of artwork from various time periods and cultures, and study the artists who created them. As students progress from kindergarten through second grade, they will grow from emergent artists to creative children with unique artistic perspectives and a solid knowledge base of the elements of art and design, on which to build in the upper elementary grades.

PE & Health

Students in Physical Education & Health classes at Hawthorne grow as athletes and team members. They have opportunities to engage in different games and activities throughout the year. We begin with locomotor movements and tag games to start the year. Then we cover rolling, tossing, and catching balls, before we start team sport basics. During team sport basics students are engaged in floor hockey, basketball, soccer, volleyball, teeball/softball, and gymnastics/circus arts. As part of Wellness Wednesdays, students learn about exercise, nutrition. and the human body. Students learn about making healthy choices. As our students progress from kindergarten through second grade, they will grow from basic skills and then develop each year to more advanced skills and tactical approaches to individual and team sports.

Library & Media

Students in Library & Media classes at Hawthorne grow as readers and writers. They have opportunities to engage in author/illustrator studies and explore the roles of each. They learn how books are organized in the physical space and in the online catalog and how to locate them. They learn the differences between fiction and nonfiction and how to select a book that speaks to their interests, hobbies and reading enjoyment. They practice “book talks” – the process of recommending books to their peers. As our students progress from kindergarten through second grade they will grow from beginning readers to independent readers with a strong foundation to become lifelong learners.

STEM

Students in STEM classes at Hawthorne grow as scientists and engineers. They have opportunities to engage in problem solving challenges, building and engineering exercises, experiments and technological experiences. These opportunities are often woven together in an interdisciplinary manner, which is the heart of STEM learning. There is an emphasis on communication and collaboration. As our students progress from kindergarten through second grade, they will grow as learners and investigators.