SPECIALS

At The Philadelphia School, "specials" is the term we use to denote classes taught by specialists in Spanish, art, music, drama, and physical education.

"Specials" are not simply an adjunct to a core curriculum but rather a vital part of the educational program. An interdisciplinary approach is at the heart of the educational program at The Philadelphia School. Opportunities to grasp concepts that may not be readily accessible for some children through traditional academic disciplines are provided through the integration, whenever possible, of music, drama, art, Spanish, and physical education.

For example, a recent classroom study of ancient civilizations was reinforced by the creation of Cycladic statues in the art room. In drama and music classes, students wrote (and performed) a musical The Road to Heaven based on their classroom study of the Underground Railroad. A classroom study of trees was enriched by the study of rain forests in Spanish class. During the all-school thematic study "Circa 1492," Primary Unit children invented "travel games" in physical education class; students dealt with such unforseen dangers as falling off the flat earth!

FIND OUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN

Art

Music and Drama

Physical education

Spanish