Children learn best actively participating in learning activities which involve a wide variety of experiences. Through visual art, music and physical education, the Integrated Arts Program reinforces and expands basic curriculum concepts being taught at Hill-Roberts Elementary School. By designing and implementing activities which engage the visual, auditory, kinesthetic and perceptual abilities of our students, we hope to provide the opportunity for each student to make real connections among the many seemingly separate parts of their education. In so doing, Hill-Roberts students will learn to approach problems creatively and to apply abstract concepts in exciting ways both inside and outside the classroom.                                                                                                                     http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/word/2003/wordmlurn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags013f                                                       News From the Gymnasium (2010)                    As we progress through the school year, the quest for fitness continues in      Hill Roberts gymnasium!  There are actually two groups of fitness.  The group called        Health Fitness relates to one’s overall state of health.  The components of this group      are cardio-vascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility and strength.  Activity-     based fitness is emphasized rather than fitness through formal exercise/calisthenics.      The facilitation of the development of each individual’s physical fitness is      accomplished by providing a variety of physical learning activities that makes      physical education class fun and enjoyable. Classes are designed to meet a child’s      need for active participation.          The second group of fitness is the Skill Fitness group.  The skill related fitness     items which relate to the possibility of people becoming good athletes are also     addressed in our physical education classes.  The fitness factors which belong to this    group are agility, balance, hand-eye coordination, power, reaction time and speed.     Both groups of fitness are equal in importance.  The children are given the opportunity    to participate in a variety of movement experiences to enhance their skill levels.  Some     of the learning activities (games) which provided these skill enhancement     opportunities this past term are, “GET THE ANIMALS HOME”,  “EXCUSE ME,     PARDON ME, NOW YOU”RE FREE”, “HEALTH FITNESS TAG”,  “THE     PlaceNameplaceWATER PlaceNameCYCLE PlaceTypeCENTERS”, “FEED THE BIRDS”, “VEIN & ARTERY TAG”,       and “HOT SPOT BASKETBALL”.          While participation in these learning games are designed to enhance the child’s     level of fitness (both health and skill) there is always either a wellness concept or basic     curriculum concept attached to the games.           In this interdisciplinary approach, with physical education as the main focus,     connections are made to other disciplines such as health, science, math or social     studies,       The primary focus, however, is always upon physical education    concepts, skills, and knowledge.  Whether the students are engaged in active learning     experiences concerning the Human Body, Weather, Habitats or the water cycle, be     assured that they are receiving a total fitness program which involves active     participation in a wide variety of movement experiences which makes their time in the     gym fun and enjoyable.  Most importantly, the children’s needs are being met in both     the areas of health related fitness and sports skills!  Keep those bodies moving!!                                                              Mrs. Cardillo  (Spring 2010)