Brockington Elementary is a rural community school proudly serving approximately three hundred and nine students nestled in the city of Timmonsville. We are committed to producing students who will become graduates that possess the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. The South Carolina College and Career Readiness Standards and the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate are the core foundation of our curriculum. The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate which identifies three attributes, World Class Knowledge, World Class Skills, and Life/Career Characteristics, will be utilized to ensure our students achieve academically. Brockington Elementary will foster a rigorous academic environment to incorporate the four C’s (Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Collaboration and Teamwork, and Communication, information, media, and technology) through the exposure to fine arts and curricular connections. Implementing arts-infused practices with innovative scheduling has been designed to engage students in active learning to reinforce key objectives in ELA, mathematics, and STEM.  Listed below is a summary of programs.

• Brockington Beats Recording Studio
  The recording studio will enable Brockington students to create and record hip-hop, rap, and rock songs which will serve as vehicles for expanding student experiences with vocabulary, creative writing, and self expression, and for reinforcing learning such as math facts and multiplication tables. The studio will also be equipped with various African and Latin percussion instruments.  Cross-curricular units will be designed to use rhythm instruction as a vehicle for reinforcing concepts in mathematics (e.g. fractions) and other core content areas. Guest clinicians from SC Arts Commission’s directory of Teaching Artists will make appearances at the studio to work on special recording projects with students.

• Video Studio/“BNN” Brockington News Network
  A news studio will allow Brockington students to write, record, edit, and broadcast a morning news show. The studio will be equipped with cameras, an iMac for editing, a green screen wall, field DSLR cameras for photography/videography, a small news desk, and an editing station. The curricular connections are ELA and technology.

• Art Studio & Pottery/Kiln Room
  In the Brockington Art Studio, all students will get hands-on experiences with painting, drawing, sculpting, and making pottery. Canvasses, easels, paints, brushes and all other materials will always be provided. Artworks will be sent home for families to enjoy and or be displayed in local businesses and regional art shows. Students will also engineer/design sculptures using computer-aided design (CAD) programs which reinforce math and technology skills. Pottery and ceramics projects will be painted and fired in the school’s kiln. Pieces can be brought home for family use, and will be shown in school and state art shows.

• Elementary Music & Chorus Room                                                         This will serve as an exciting place for learning about different types of music from across the U.S. and the world. These rooms will be equipped with a wide variety of classroom instruments and technology for students to experiment with. Brockington chorus students will perform regular concerts for the community and will be able to participate in the All-City concerts and field trips (e.g. the annual 4th grade trip to the Florence Symphony at the FMU PAC). Cross-curricular units will be designed to use music instruction as a vehicle for reinforcing concepts in mathematics and other core content areas.

• Digital Arts & Creative Writing Lab
  Our art and design studio is equipped with iMacs, 3D printers, cameras/color printers, and WACOM digital drawing screens. The principles of digital art, design, and animation are taught including image creation, character development, and story conception through artistic production. Students will design/produce advertisements, graphic literature (novels & manga), and creatively use technology to reinforce ELA concepts.  Visual arts and ELA classes at Brockington will collaborate to produce the Brockington Create Arts Magazine. This annual publication will be a full-color, professionally produced magazine featuring the creative writing, poetry, and art work of Brockington students. Copies will be provided to all families and placed in local businesses. The creative writing program will focus on instilling compassion and contemplation in a setting which encourages students to become confident and creative writers.

• B-“Rock”ington Band Room
  Students in 4th & 5th grade will be able to join the band at Brockington and  have no-cost access to brand new instruments. Rehearsals will be held in a professionally-equipped rehearsal room with secure instrument storage and technology for recording/critiquing performances/progress. Brockington’s music students will perform regular concerts for the community and will be able to participate in the All-City concerts and regular field trips. Cross-curricular units will be designed to use music instruction as a vehicle for reinforcing concepts in mathematics and other core content areas.

• Orchestra, Guitar, & Piano Room
  All students will be able to learn how to play the violin, guitar, and/or piano at Brockington. Students will have no-cost access to brand new instruments. Rehearsals will be held in a professionally-equipped rehearsal room with secure instrument storage and technology for recording/critiquing performances/progress. Brockington music students will perform regular concerts for the community and will be able to participate in the All-City concerts and regular field trips. Cross-curricular units will be designed to use music instruction as a vehicle for reinforcing concepts in mathematics and other core content areas.

• Dance Studio
  In the dance classes at Brockington, creative movement will align with cross-curricular units in the core content areas. Students will learn jazz, ballet, tap, and modern dance while preparing performances for the school/surrounding community. The dance studio will be a beautiful space with mirrored walls, professional dance flooring, ballet barres, musical instruments, and a high quality sound system.

• Extracurricular and Community Events
  Brockington students will have regular opportunities to attend cultural events, enjoy diverse guest artists, and participate in trips to varied performance venues. Students will attend events such as Florence Symphony, the Florence Little Theater, Masterworks Children’s Choir, Florence County Museum, etc.. Brockington will also host art shows and performances throughout the year. Expect to see student artworks in local businesses and featured in local media.

We believe this initiative will transform teaching and learning in our school by increasing student engagement that will provide unlimited opportunities for differentiated instruction.