Stone Elementary offers five special area classes to further enhance the regular curriculum.  The classes offered are Music, Art, Computer, Library and Physical Education.

Music - The general music program at Stone Elementary is based on the State of Tennessee Curriculum Guide and the Standards as defined by the Music Educaters National Conference. All students at Stone study the music basics such as notation and vocabulary, singing, music history - consisting of the basic time periods of music and major composers and instrument families and American Musical Theatre. Much of what we do here is "hands on" and we try to give every age level an opportunity to put their knowledge to use whether in 3rd and 4th grade recorder classes, composing, or instruments, sining, etc. Students are also given the opportunity to study different band or orchestral insturments in both our beginning and intermediate programs. Also, an annual talent show is provided for anyone who wishes to share their talents. This is not limited to music but dance, comedy, etc.

Guidance - As the school counselor for the guidance department at Stone Elementary, I strive to meet the needs of individuals by working with parents, teachers, small groups of students, as well as offering before-school counseling sessions. In addition, each school year I work with students on topics, which include honesty, self-esteem, harassment, name-calling, grief management, conflict resolution, friendships, character education, and the skills needed in daily life to help develop a well-rounded student. I always desire and am open to the input of parents and teachers.

Since the opening of Stone six years ago, the guidance department has had the opportunity to collect advanced materials to help meet the needs of our students. Each year the eighth grade students are exposed to members of our community who are eager to share information about their careers. This helps the students as they make their six-year plans for high school in the spring of the year. I am available to them and their parents as they plan their courses of study to help them as they work to meet the academic requirements in order to achieve their goals.

Computer - In the computer lab, supplemental instruction is given in the form of computer programs and internet-based sites. These activities give students extra practice in the basic skills that are taught in the classrooms. We are putting extra emphasis on the math program this year, so a good deal of our time will be spent in that area. The Board of Education has purchased a district license for an internet-based program known as PLATO Learning, which assesses students' knowledge of basic skills in all subject areas and then guides them through instruction-based material according to their needs. I was first introduced to this program at the Technology Center about fifteen years ago when I taught adult education classes, therefore I know it to be a program that supplies excellent academic guidance.

Our lab has been located in a small conference room in the library for the past 3 1/2 years but will be moving to a vacant classroom on the K-2 hallway as soon as the technicians complete the wiring. We have been very limited in what we have done because of the small space and the small number of computers. We are greatly looking forward to our move. With assistance from technology funding, we have purchased a portable computer lab made up of 30 Mac laptops. These will be utilized in the new lab and will then be made available to teachers for checkout when the lab is updated with new machines next year.

Library - The library media center here at Stone is a very busy place. All classes K-6 attend a scheduled library class once a week. Students are introduced to a variety of quality literature, participate in literature related activites, and learn to use the library to locate materials and to complete research and class assignments. Seventh and eighth grade students also attend weekly with their teachers to apply the skills they have previously learned while selecting books or completing class assignments. The media center is also open for checkout and research to individual students throughout the school day. Our circulation has increased from 21,000 the first year to 100,000 in just five years!

The library media specialist is not only a full time teacher, but also full time administrator responsible for such tasks as ordering books, audio visual materials, and Accelerated Reader quizzes, processing and cataloging new materials, and promoting ans coordinating the Accelerated Reader program.

We have a full time library assistant to help with the many tasks required to keep the media center running smoothly. This year a part time assistant for Accelerated Reader has been added to help teachers with daily tasks such as running student diagnostic reports and maintaining student records.

The library media center is open to families on Monday nights from 5:00 - 7:00 for Family Reading Night. This gives families the opportunity to read together and enjoy special activities.

P.E. - The Physical Education program at Stone Elementary offers all students an opportunity to be successful while developing skills and knowledge necessary to sustain a healthy and productive life. We hope to form a foundation of knowledge, skill, and experiences that will aid the students in selecting activities that can be practiced and enjoyed for a lifetime.

Our program goals include but are not limited to...

1. Improving flexibility, muscular strangth and endurance, cardiovascular endurance and body composition

2. Promoting a positive, lifelong attitude toward physical activity

3. Developing skills for selecting and participating in activities that can be enjoyed for a lifetime

4. Improving self-confidence, self-esteem and self-control

5. Developing an understanding and respect for differences among people during physical activity and learning to work with others to achieve goals

6. Offering diverse activities that are not typically offered in other physical education programs such as archery and orienteering skills