Watson Williams Literature through the Performing Arts Magnet School –

Students at Watson Williams School discover that the performing arts and learning go hand-in-hand. The school has a theme specialist who works with the classroom and special area teachers to develop ways to integrate visual arts, dance, music, and creative dramatics. In addition to the theme specialist, the school also has a full time technology specialist and a half time steel-drum/music teacher. Together, they integrate technology and the performing arts in creative and meaningful lessons in order to fully address the many learning styles of the students and to further enhance the magnet theme at Watson Williams.

Students participate in various extracurricular activities such as dance troupe, music enrichment programs, studio art, and musical theater. The school has a dance studio, two amphitheaters, a stage area for students’ activities, and a set of steel drums.

Just a walk through the halls of Watson Williams lets visitors know that academics and aesthetic education exist in exciting activities. The many displays of young talented artists adorn the walls of the school, and the sounds of the Caribbean echo in the halls as ten steel drum ensembles practice for season concerts and community events. Students practicing for the many dance performances are heard in the nearby dance studio. The voices of excited students are heard in nearby classrooms as they participate in lively and engaging lessons with their highly motivated teachers.

In keeping with our focus on character education and school as community, Watson Williams has adopted “FABLES – Finding Avenues to Boost Learning in Elementary Schools” for our 2006-2007 Magnet Theme. Each grade level will choose a fable to present to the school at our monthly assembly that teaches a core value for successful learning. These grade level performances incorporate music and dance as well as reading and writing skills that clearly demonstrate Watson’s approach to integrated learning. Such program enrichment has led the school to be given the National Blue Ribbon Award in November 2006.