The visual arts program at Garcia Elementary is designed to meet the lifelong learning needs of our students by providing a meaningful experience that allows the development of problem solving and studio skills.

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are incorporated within each unit of study to meet the states’ curricular objectives and expectations. Students are taught through the use of a Discipline Based Art Education strategy that integrates aesthetics, criticism, history, and production.

Another strategy for learning from an artwork that is gained by students is the Feldman Model for Critical Inquiry. It teaches students how to look at art, and what to look for in it. The process involves a foundational approach where you first, list the elements of art through describing, analyze these elements by organizing them with the principles of design, interpret any moods and feelings being conveyed by the work, and finally evaluate the work by placing artistic merit on the success and aesthetic value of the artwork.

In Music, students perform, create, and respond to music. Students sing, play instruments, listen, and move to music. They read, notate, analyze, and evaluate music. Students are exposed to music of their culture and from different parts of the world, as well as, many periods of history.

Music education is an integral part of children’s education. It provides an avenue for children to express themselves and their emotions in a way that only music can. Music enforces a higher level of thinking and reasoning that improves children’s capacity to learn and comprehend. Because of having music education, children will lead better-rounded lives.

Our philosophy in teaching is to encourage the best possible development of all children regardless of their different needs and ability levels. Emphasis on cooperation over competition and the acquisition of lifetime skills, such as flexibility and strength, are the goals of the Physical Education program.

Our ultimate goal in teaching children is to design a program that will guide them toward becoming physically, mentally, and socially functioning individuals that will prepare each child to live in today's complex society, and in the future.