The Arts is an Area of Learning in the curriculum which has three strands: Art and Design, Drama, and Music.
Through The Arts, children can express their individuality, imagination and creativity. These are closely linked to all aspects of their learning. Children come to school with their own experiences of Art and Design, Drama and Music. Our teachers in Dundela use these experiences as a starting point for further development.
In developing children’s creativity in all aspects of The Arts, we emphasise the process, the children’s enjoyment and the learning that is taking place, rather than the finished product.
Art
Art and Design helps children to think through their ideas and to develop visual, spatial and tactile awareness, and investigative and manipulative skills. Teachers encourage children to observe, make choices and decisions, investigate, problem-solve, and talk about their own and others’ work.
In Dundela, we nurture the children's artistic skills in many different ways. Every year group has a Creation Station, where children are encouraged to develop their creativity and express themselves using different artistic mediums, producing a creation that truly showcases each child's individuality. The children have many opportunities to develop their creativity through indoor and outdoor play, as well as Art lessons in class that focus on various artistic skills. There are also different after-school clubs such as Origami and Art Club where children can hone their skills further.
Drama
Drama contributes to the learning process in a unique way. It gives children a high degree of self-management over their own learning where they make decisions, solve problems or choose not to resolve situations. It encourages children to manage their own knowledge and experience of the world and then extend it creatively and imaginatively. It engages feelings and encourages empathy with other characters whose lives the children are examining with the Drama process.
In Dundela all children are developing their dramatic skills daily regularly, from participating in Drama lessons to performing in their year group's annual Christmas Show. Our teachers recognise the important life skills that are learnt through Drama such as confidence, teamwork and communication and therefore we endeavour to develop these in our children. Some of our children's favourite ways to develop these skills are through role-play activities during PBL, ABL and Talk for Writing, performing on our Outdoor Stage, participating in Circle Time and attending Drama based after-school clubs.
Music
Music gives children the opportunity to explore feelings and express themselves in ways that support or go beyond verbal communication. Children actively engage with the core musical activities of composing, performing and listening. Composing gives children rich opportunities to develop their creativity by experimenting with musical ideas. Performing allows children to make their musical ideas real by singing or playing an instrument. Sharing their musical creations can help to develop children’s self-esteem and confidence, along with their ability to listen to others and value their contributions. Listening and responding to their own and others’ music making are important musical activities that help children to develop focus and concentration.
In Dundela, music is a staple of our daily routines. Pupils enjoy singing along to fun songs to help them with their learning from all areas of the curriculum. Musical skills are developed through Music lessons, use of our outdoor Music Wall, participation in their Christmas Show and free play with instruments during PBL and ABL. Pupils also have the option to join our Dundela Choir where they enjoy singing along with their friends and developing their singing ability.
