All children are artists, and Rossman students come to see themselves as such in the art classroom. Based on the elements and principles of design, the visual arts curriculum teaches students to see differences in shapes and forms, lines, colors, texture, value, balance, and patterns. They learn to do this through production, critique, and practices of observation and problem-solving.
Importantly, students learn about various artists from around the world, both past and present, to inform students’ understanding of art and history, expose students to methods and possibilities that exist, and inspire students to see how they as creators can use their skills and perspective to make a difference in the world. In the art classroom, students are challenged to develop creative solutions to problems and are encouraged to work at individual levels and paces. Skill building is an ongoing process; increasingly complex concepts are introduced, allowing students to build on prior skills and knowledge.
Rossman students relish the opportunity to nestle up next to the fireplace or in a window seat with a wonderful book from our 12,000 volume collection. A love of reading and literature is promoted from Junior Kindergarten as students explore a wide variety of genres and authors while learning to navigate the shelves of the library.
Our strong culture of reading is also evident in our annual participation in Missouri Children’s Choice literature awards, “Show Me Reader” for Grades 1–3, and Mark Twain for Grades 4–6. In addition to our print-based resources, students explore concepts of digital citizenship to foster familiarity with and edifying use of technological tools, including online databases. In addition to supporting upper school research projects, library is often a class that partners with other subject areas to assist students in continuing their explorations across disciplines.
Music classes at Rossman are a joyful mix of singing, dancing, playing instruments, and physically embodying rhythm and pitch accomplished through a variety of methods and techniques. The elements of music – rhythm, melody, harmony, form, style, and timbre are presented sequentially as the children are exposed to written music notation and sing, chant, play, and create various styles of music. Movement, listening, and creative dramatics are also important parts of the classroom experience.
The non-judgmental and non-competitive nature of the program affords a nurturing environment for every child in the school. In music class, children are part of an ensemble, whether playing instruments, singing, or creating a role in a classroom drama; they discover the interdependence of all members of the group in the learning process.
Progress in music is measured by the standards and benchmarks of the curriculum. Proficiency and participation in singing, playing instruments, and movement are assessed in music. All students participate in two school-wide performances each year, our December Holiday Program and a springtime Grandparents’ Day Program. Fourth through 6th Grade students have the opportunity to continue exploring music afterschool in the performance group Rossman Singers. Students interested in theater performance have the opportunity to join after school enrichment programs through our partnership with Center for Creative Arts (COCA).
The physical education program at Rossman School carefully builds specific skills and overall fitness while continually encouraging cooperation and sportsmanship. In the lower school, the program emphasizes component skills such as locomotor movements, throwing, kicking, and general coordination.
This structured program supports the transition to a sports-based curriculum in the upper school grade levels where students build upon the foundation of cooperation to develop teamwork skills. For upper school students, there is an optional after-school sports opportunity once a week for students to continue practicing the current PE unit with friends in other grades. All Rossman students attend PE class each day.
Curiosity is constant in the Rossman School science rooms, and students have two spacious rooms, a large greenhouse, and an abundance of laboratory and electronic equipment to help them find the answers to their profusion of questions. It is through asking questions and defining problems that students develop scientific thinking by creating and testing models.
Opportunities for scientific study are not limited to just the indoor classrooms at Rossman. More than six acres of woods adjoin our athletic field and provide a perfect place for the exploration of nature and many of its wonder-filled phenomena, including streams, wildlife, and native flora and fauna. Two specialist teachers lead our Rossman science program.
Integrated with cultural learning, Spanish instruction focuses on comprehensible input to develop students’ proficiency in both receptive (listening, reading) and productive (speaking, writing) language via meaningful interaction in the Spanish language. Methods such as simplified language, sheltered vocabulary, visuals, demonstrations, repetition, story-mapping, partner work, and creative writing help students to contextualize and personalize language.
In addition to foundational grammar instruction, high-frequency vocabulary and structures paired with increasingly complex linguistic situations help students become more proficient as they connect meaning to language. In all grades, culture in Spanish speaking countries is celebrated and emphasized in study. In Upper School, students also spend time exploring Latinate roots and classical history and culture.
