Hyman Fine Programs at a Glance

Art

Every child is an artist. All children possess both innate creative and appreciative abilities that can be nurtured through art instruction. The art program here at Hyman Fine Elementary School engages learners of all levels and learning styles through developmentally appropriate art experiences. A comprehensive art curriculum includes experiential learning, interdisciplinary activities, and multicultural studies. It promotes and encourages exploration, reflective thinking, creative problem solving, disciplined work habits, and quality production.
 

Language Arts

The Reading Street Program  is designed to build readers by using engaging literature, researched based instruction and a wealth of teaching tools.   

Each lesson connects to a central unit concept, the big idea.  This concept is developed through weekly and daily focused questions.  The selections in the unit theme connect and expand the concept to help students build a deeper understanding of that concept.

The children build oral language and make connections.  Visuals are used to activate prior knowledge, build background and build language for the week’s readings. The program spirals so that students revisit skills and strategies at all grade levels.

Mathematics

Everyday Math provides Hyman Fine students with the knowledge and essential skills necessary for a solid foundation in mathematics.  The program uses a problem-solving approach to help students make meaningful connections between their knowledge and everyday life situations.  In addition to this, the program has a strong spiral component so concepts are regularly revisited and basic skills are frequently practiced through hands-on activities and games.  This approach to mathematics has students energized and engaged in each and every math lesson!

Music

Music at the Hyman Fine School is full of activity and fun!  Beginning in Kindergarten, students come to general music class once a week.    They have opportunities to be successful in singing, dancing, drama, and playing a variety of musical instruments.  The focus is on making music together, and understanding how music has been made throughout history.  We strive to make the music room an exciting place for students to explore their creativity and talent. 

Every student in grades one through four participates in at least one performance a year.  The first and second grade performance is a culmination of a theme chosen yearly by the art and music specialists.  Themes from years past include Africa, Native Americans, celebrations around the world, fairytales and nursery rhymes.   Recorder playing is the main draw at the third grade concert.  Our fourth graders perform twice—once at a holiday performance in December and a concert at the end of the year, which has become a spectacular display of singing and dancing!   We are lucky to have such dedicated families and students in the music program and we look forward to making music with our students every day!