Enrichment
Art
The TVCS art program presents the basic elements of art (line, shape, form, color, value, and texture) through medium submersion. Each project explores a particular medium, such as watercolor, in all its variations. Students have opportunities to explore and use a wide variety of materials. Creativity and experimentation are our priority and project ideas often come directly from the students. Cardboard construction, for example, has been brought back year after year by popular demand. Learning how to engage in constructive art criticism and appreciation of unique points of view is paramount to the TVCS art program. Students also have many opportunities to contribute artwork to the larger community through a children’s gallery at our local bookstore and donations of their work to local charitable fundraisers.
Spanish
TVCS has a strong Spanish language program for its 1st through 8th graders. The first level of learners is introduced to Spanish through song, stories, and simple chants. By participating in many different activities, students practice numbers, colors, and basic vocabulary as well as action verbs. The second and third level classes continue to build vocabulary, learn more about verbs and sentence construction, and begin simple Spanish readings of fables and folk tales. Because some children learn new languages best through listening and others through speaking, writing, or moving, Spanish language instruction uses each of these methods in order to reach every child.
Music
All student at TVCS are exposed to music on a daily basis through listening to a diversity of musical genres, formal instruction, workshops with local musicians, and an annual tradition of writing and performing an all school song at the end of each school year. TVCS uses an approach to teaching music that treats music as a basic system like language and believes that every child can learn music through exposure and a gentle and fun approach. Basic rhythm instruments are used as well xylophones and glockenspiels to foster a joy of music in every child.
Physical Education
The physical education program at TVCS taps into Teton Valley’s unique natural environment for outdoor adventure and teaches students about sportsmanship, teamwork, and various types of movement. We begin the year with a unit on team sports. Children in Kindergarten through 8th grade explore the rules and skills for a variety of sports, while learning how to be a part of a team. When the snow begins to fall, we do a unit on snow and ice. Students cross-country and downhill ski, snowshoe, ice skate, and learn about avalanche and snow safety. In the spring, TVCS offers judo, movement (dance), and yoga. Hiking and biking are also included in the PE program at various times throughout the year.