Elementary Fine Arts
Our 4th & 5th Grade Visual Arts Program
As part of the CPS Elementary Visual Arts curriculum, our 4th and 5th grade students continue their artistic journey by building on foundational skills while exploring new techniques, media, and creative challenges. These years are designed to help students grow as confident, expressive, and independent young artists.
Growing Artistic Skills Through Diverse Media
Throughout the school year, students work with a wide range of materials and artistic processes, allowing them to deepen their understanding of visual expression. In 4th and 5th grade, students will:
- Strengthen previously learned concepts in the elements of art and principles of design
- Experiment with drawing, including shading, perspective, and observational techniques
- Explore painting using watercolor, tempera, and mixed‑media approaches
- Create pottery and ceramic pieces, learning hand‑building techniques such as coil, slab, and sculptural construction
- Practice printmaking, exploring methods like relief printing and monoprints
These experiences encourage creativity, problem‑solving, and personal expression—skills that support students both in and beyond the art room.
Extracurricular Opportunity: Art Club
For students who are excited to dive even deeper into the visual arts, we offer an extracurricular Art Club for 4th and 5th graders.
Art Club members have the opportunity to:
- Work on extended, more advanced projects
- Try specialty materials not typically used during regular class time
- Explore collaborative and community‑focused art experiences
- Develop their artistic voice in a supportive, creative environment
Art Club is a wonderful way for students to connect with peers who share a love of art while further expanding their skills and imagination.
Our 4th & 5th Grade Elementary Music Program
As students move into 4th and 5th grade, our music curriculum is designed to challenge them, spark creativity, and strengthen their understanding of how music works. These grades offer exciting opportunities for students to deepen their skills as musicians, creators, and performers.
4th Grade: Building Musical Technique & Creativity
In 4th grade, students expand their musical knowledge through a blend of performance, music theory, and digital music creation. This includes:
- Advanced rhythm concepts, such as triplets and sixteenth notes
- Musical articulation and tempo, helping students perform with precision and expression
- Exploring scales and applying them through hands‑on performance with Boomwhackers
- Digital music creation using Soundtrap, where students explore the basics of sound engineering, layering, and editing
By the end of the year, students have a stronger sense of rhythm, pitch, and creative expression—skills that prepare them for musical success in the upper grades.
5th Grade: Applying Music Skills in New and Meaningful Ways
Fifth grade musicians take their learning to the next level as they explore more complex concepts and real‑world applications of music. Students will:
- Develop a deeper understanding of meter and time signatures
- Learn foundational skills on piano and keyboard instruments
- Complete an Advertisement Project, where they create commercial jingles and explore how music is used in media
- Participate in Orchestra and STEAM‑inspired projects, connecting music to science, technology, engineering, and the arts
This year encourages students to think like composers, performers, and creative problem‑solvers.
Purple Rain Singers — 4th & 5th Grade Chorus
For students who love to sing and perform, we offer an auditioned chorus: the Purple Rain Singers.
Members of this ensemble:
- Learn proper vocal technique and healthy singing habits
- Develop ensemble skills such as harmony, blend, and musical expression
- Perform a variety of exciting choral repertoire
- Represent our school community at concerts and events
The Purple Rain Singers provide an inspiring opportunity for students to grow musically while building confidence and teamwork skills.