Visual arts at Forest View
In our studio we take a hands-on approach to learn different media; learn styles of famous artists; experience some of the influences of cultures around the world; and use art to reinforce learning from other course work.

The bright colors of markers, paint, and paper; the cool feel of clay; and the chance to use both traditional materials and current technology feeds our students’ creativity. Through art, we strengthen non-verbal communication, create strategies for problem solving, and improve fine motor skills.

Art as beauty. Art as learning.
In addition to "Art for art's sake," the lessons are linked with Literacy, Math, Science, History and Social Studies lessons.

Forest View Elementary students use art to reinforce their lessons. For example, students might create botanical illustrations of the stages of plant growth to accompany their science learning.

At Forest View we use art to develop creative expression and enhance the communication of ideas. Most class research projects include a visual component so that students learn to speak to a concept, write to a concept and show a concept visually. This multi-disciplinary approach ingrains the learning and broadens our students’ communication options.

Music is an important part of learning at Forest View
We encourage every child to sing and to discover their voice. Our students use movement and singing games to develop creativity and improvisation.

Forest View students learn about the mathematics of music— rhythm, melody, tempo, dynamics, form, and harmony. And they learn the language of music to read rhythm notes and other music symbols.

Music as a cultural reference
Students integrate music into their lessons by listening to music from around the world and from other time eras. They learn to perform some of these pieces starting in Kindergarten. The music, songs and cultures we emphasize dovetail with grade level curriculum.

Live at Forest View!
Forest View has recently hosted performances as diverse as the West African drumming of Braima Moiwai and the critically acclaimed string music of The Carolina Chocolate Drops.  A performance of the North Carolina Symphony is also a regular field trip for our 4th grade students.

Learning by playing
What are the instruments of the orchestra and how do they produce sound? Forest View students learn how the different instruments produce sound, how sound travels and how the ear hears it. In fourth grade they put this learning into practice by learning to play their own recorders.

Students also can play in ensembles, write their own songs and participate in the Forest View Chorus and the Recorder and Instrument Ensemble Club.