Elementary School Co-Curricular Facilities

Read about the state of the art facilities provided by Grace Brethren Elementary School in Simi Valley

MUSIC:  

All classes have classroom music each week. The children learn music theory, ear training, the use of rhythmic instruments and creative movement.  The students prepare and present one special musical each year. 

LIBRARY:  

In our library we emphasize learning library science: Dewey Decimal System, different types of fiction, and how to research materials. With over 10,000 titles in our library we are able to supply all the needs of the students and their grade curriculum. Books are available for every class's special book reports assigned. For instance in fifth grade they are to read a Newbery Award Winner. We have every Newbery Award winner from 1922 to the current year's title in our library. In first grade and in fifth grade they are to do a Biography. We have many biographies geared for the beginner reader as well as for the upper grades. Students are encouraged to save money and check out any book report books from the library .

We have several reading enrichment programs throughout the year such as the "Six Flag's Reading Program" and the "Book It" program. We sponsor a Book Fair twice a year in conjunction with Grandparent's Day. We conduct monthly contests for the children to participant in such as a Poetry Writing Contest and Short Story Writing Contest. Our library is open before and after school for the children to check out books.

Library Monthly Contest

Our contest for the month of September will be a fun one. Students are to guess what our principal, Mrs. Simeri's, favorite food is. There is a box in the library to put their guesses in. Sorry only one guess allowed!

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

The focus of our Physical Education curriculum is motor skill development, health fitness, play, physical movement concepts, and discipleship in a Christian lifestyle.

Our program is built on the premise that Physical Education is an educational process that seeks to develop competency, understanding, and commitment in and about health fitness, motor proficiency, and physical movement.

The Physical Education department has a scope and sequence based on goals and objectives that are appropriate for all students. It includes a balance of skills, concepts, games, rhythms, and sports designed to improve their muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and to enhance the cognitive, motor, and physical fitness development of every student.

COMPUTER LAB: 

Computer lab is an extra curricular pull out for all elementary children at Grace Brethren Elementary School.  From the foundational Kindergarten to the end of first grade the children learn how to use a computer to create things from shapes, to paint and color in pictures, to build upon math skills being taught in their classes and most importantly to follow directions.  By the beginning of second grade the students are learning to type and by the end of sixth grade the goal is to have them typing at 25 words per minute with 80 percent accuracy.  In the fifth grade students are introduced to Word and PowerPoint programs and by the end of the sixth grade the students should have a good understanding of how to navigate each of these programs to enhance their school reports and projects.  Computer lab is a valuable opportunity that Grace brethren provides to the students at the elementary campus.

"MEET THE MASTERS" ART PROGRAM:

This is a three-step progam that allows our students to be introduced to different Master Artists each year. Students will gain new artistic skills and vocabulary each year.

"Introducing the Masters" Assemblies:

The Meet The Masters experience begins with a multi-media (slides, artist voices, music etc.) assembly where the children learn about the fascinating lives and famous works of the Master Artists.

"Learning from the Masters" Technique:

Now that the children have a true connection to the artist, they are introduced to the techniques which made the art revolutionary.

 "Working with the Masters" Art Projects:

After learning the inspiration and techniques of each Master, the children using the same techniques and often the same medium as the Master to produce thier own masterpiece. The students will discover their creativity while developing confidence in their own unique abilities.