St. James scholars are encouraged to explore and develop their artistic talent through a variety of disciplines. We seek to foster creativity and expression as well as focus and discipline. Beginning in the earliest levels throughout Lower School, scholars explore the basic elements of art, including color, lines, and sculpture. Scholars are invited into discussions about art and their ideas about what they see and feel. As they grow, concepts such as texture and shape develop, and projects include work on portraits and still life. Abstract Art, Architecture and Landscape are all introduced, as well as continued discussion on the concepts of light, space and design. Middle School students study art through the ages, by period, including Classical Art of Ancient Greece and Rome, Gothic Art, The Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo through Realism. Studio Art includes the opportunity to work with clay, paint, pastels, ink, wood carvings and more.
St. James offers a multi-focused music program, building a love and appreciation for music in all its many forms. Throughout the various grade levels, emphasis is placed on listening, appreciation and the production of music. Primary levels begin with listening, singing, and learning finger plays. Eventually, they add large motor skill movements and small instruments. Lower school scholars learn the fundamentals of music theory, including note names, values, and other concepts, such as high versus low, and soft versus loud sounds. Our musical repertoire covers a wide range of music, from singing Mother Goose nursery rhymes, to traditional and contemporary worship songs, patriotic, folk and early American pieces, to classical favorites. Instruction is coordinated with curricular themes expressed in other academic disciplines. Instrumental instruction may include the use of recorders, drums and xylophones. Key events to see and hear the scholars in action are Grandparent’s Day, the Christmas Pageant, and St. James Sunday.
St. James scholars are drawn into a life-long love of reading through our library enrichment classes. Time spent in the library guides students to independent library literacy, helps teachers add depth and complexity to their lessons using library resources and technology, and helps teachers create an extension of their classroom through relevant visual displays, book talks, and cross-curricular lessons. In addition to providing valuable resources and materials to the classrooms, the library sponsors literacy events such as book fairs and “Read Across America.”
Scholars have the opportunity to interact with the library program through the following schedule:
- Pre-Primary and Primary scholars have library time on a weekly basis.
- Pre-Kindergarten scholars visit the library two days a week, once for story time and once for book check-out.
- Jr. Kindergarten – Second Grade scholars have story time and book check-out on a weekly basis.
- Third – Fifth Grade scholars visit the library on a weekly basis to learn library skills and check out books.
- Middle School scholars come to the library as needed to support their curriculum.
SPEECH
The Speech program is designed for 7th and 8th grade scholars to develop skills and practice in a variety of public speaking situations. Students will receive direct instruction on how to write speech outlines, present speeches, remain cool and confident through preparation, handle stage fright, use visual aids, design power point presentations, and make audience-centered presentations. An emphasis on preparation is the key to keeping speech making fun and unintimidating. As each scholar is the author of their own content, it is very much a “learn by doing” class. Scholars are required to give several formal speeches throughout the year on a variety of topics. St. James strongly believes that all scholars need a solid foundation in public speaking, as it directly applies to and is invaluable for future academic performance and professional career goals. This class gives St. James scholars the skills needed to be successful.
DRAMA
Throughout the various levels of St. James, scholars are given ample opportunity to dress-up, reenact, and represent all kinds of characters, ranging from Jamestown Pilgrims, Colonial Congressmen, to Angelic Angels, Wise Shepherds and even Starfish. Our program seeks to develop scholars dramatic and public speaking skills as they learn to express themselves in front of an audience.
Scholars in all grade levels receive Spanish lessons at St. James.
4th-8th grade scholars learn to understand the Spanish language with an appreciation of the diversity and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
Between the 4th-6th grade years, a three year Spanish I program is completed, with an emphasis on language context, pronunciation, spelling and sound/spelling correlations.
6th graders can communicate in basic descriptive terms, with proper usage of key verbs.
In the 7th grade, scholars develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. By the end of this year, scholars can communicate and read in the master language. Secondary level development of these proficiencies continues into 8th grade, with a focus specifically on scholar comprehension of the language in context.
By the end of the 8th grade, scholars can write in journals and make speeches in Spanish. Advanced level courses in the 7th and 8th grade are available for those who qualify.
A full high school credit is earned upon the completion of the 8th grade course.
As part of its commitment to provide children with a firm foundation in knowledge, character, and faith, St. James offers computer lab enrichment beginning in the Primary School. Scholars learn responsibility for taking care of a computer and for using it for educational purposes. Our objective for instructional technology use is to promote problem solving, critical thinking, analytic and decision-making skills in all areas of instruction. Scholars are taught Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher, along with proper keyboard technique. The School provides adult supervision and guidance during computer use and ensures that computer use is developmentally appropriate. Our goal is to prepare scholars to become lifelong learners and contributing members of an ever-changing, information-based society through an integrated computer curriculum that builds key technology skills.
DANCE
Dance classes are provided at St. James by the accomplished Paula Boggs Griffith. Mrs. Paula offers studio quality dance for boys and girls of all ages in the comfort of our school. Pre-Primary, Primary, and Pre-Kindergarten scholars learn ballet and tap. Junior-Kindergarten through 8th Grade scholars learn ballet, tap, and jazz. Contact Mrs. Paula, paulag7714@aol.com, for more information.
YOUNG MASTERS ART
Our extraordinary Art teacher, Meredith Waterhouse, provides art classes at 3:30 every Thursday for scholars in Grades 1-5. Scholars have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and explore artistic techniques while creating special projects for themselves or their friends and family.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Children’s Choir (Grades 2-8) is a very dedicated group of choristers, made up of singers from St. James School, as well as Church of the Good Shepherd. The rehearsals nurture each young person’s relationship with God in Christ through training in hymns, songs, and liturgies of the Church. Choir practices take place Monday afternoons. Contact Mi Ou Lee, mioulee@cotgs.org, for more information.
