Tully's visual art program covers the Kentucky Program of Studies for kindergarten through fifth grade. This involves the Structures of Elements of Art, Principles of Design, Subject Matter, and Medium and Process; Cultures and Time Periods; Purposes of Art; and Interrelationships of the Arts.

We annually participate in various art contests, such as Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Reflections, Derby Museum Art Contest: Horsing Around with Art, and Derby Welcome Cards. Student artwork is on display at the St. James Court Art Fair, the Derby Museum, and the Gheens Professional Academy as well as throughout the hallways at Tully.

Mrs. Mattingly, our art teacher, provides an after-school art club for primary and intermediate grades. Sign-ups are posted in Tully's announcement newsletter. The Art Club members explore more involved processes such as papier mâché, plaster, assemblages, printing techniques, fiber arts, and sculpture.

All students at Tully Elementary begin music instruction in kindergarten and receive weekly instruction through fifth grade. Music instruction utilizes the principles of the Orff Schulwerk. Students experience music through singing, movement, playing of instruments and improvising, while interacting with their peers.

Students experience playing xylophones, glockenspiels, and met-allophones during music class. Additionally, they play various non pitched percussion instruments, including drums (djembes, tubanos, and bongos), rhythm sticks, wood blocks, tambourines, and maracas. Basic recorder instruction begins in the fourth grade. Ukulele instruction begins in the fifth grade.

Students at Tully Elementary also discover the delight of dramatic play and theatre, beginning with dramatic play for the younger students and continuing through polished dramatic performances for the older students. Students participate in the creative process and experience the concepts of drama through participation and interaction with their peers.

In addition to regular music class students receive during the week, students in third, fourth and fifth grade have opportunities to participate in an extra-curricular Orff Ensemble. This is an auditioned group where students come before school and play barred instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels and met allophones) as well as drums and various non pitched percussion instruments. Students perform as an ensemble for the school throughout the year, as well as throughout the community at different community events. Additionally, band and orchestra are offered to all fifth grade students. Through this optional program, students participate in group lessons twice weekly and are introduced to the band and orchestra instruments. This program prepares students for band and orchestra in middle school.

The concepts students discover and experience in music challenge them to realize the importance of creativity, respect, community, and cooperation while developing an appreciation for the arts in a fun and exploratory environment!

Follow Tully Music Room @Tullymusicroom on Twitter.

Visit the Tully Elementary Library Media Center page.

STEM Lab: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

At Tully all teachers follow the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. When students visit the STEM lab, they are provided with hands-on learning opportunities that enhance what they are being taught in their homeroom class. Students are encouraged to apply their scientific knowledge through inquiry based problem solving units. They have opportunities to apply the Engineering Design Process to test materials and create/design solutions to a variety of problems. 

Every visit to the STEM lab offers students the opportunity to work in a team environment. This gives them experience with communicating and collaborating with others as they work to solve scientific/engineering challenges. 

Outdoor Classroom

Although we are in the process of further developing our outdoor classroom, students are able to explore and practice inquiry skills in this area of our school. Our raised bed garden offers students the opportunity to grow, care for, and observe the changes in plants over time. Tully also collaborates with the organization TeachKYAg and the KY Farm Bureau to provide agriculture lessons and experiences to our students.The outdoor classroom also provides a natural setting for students to read, write, and gather information about the world around them. This space also provides students with opportunities to conduct experiments as well as practice scientific skills of  predicting, observing, classifying, measuring, and collecting data.

Engineering

When Tully students visit the STEM lab they conquer engineering challenges by following The Engineering Design Process. The foundation of Tully’s STEM lab was developed through a collaboration with The University of Louisville Speed School using a curriculum developed by the Boston Museum of Science. Today, students continue to gain experience as they engage in units that introduce students to specific fields of engineering (agricultural, mechanical, environmental, bio, electrical, etc.)

LEGO Robotics

Every student is a Robotics Engineer during the school year. Tully uses the LEGO Spike Essential and LEGO Spike Prime curriculum developed by LEGO Education. Students strengthen their problem solving and collaboration skills as they design, build, and program robots. They are introduced to foundational coding experiences through this curriculum. 

Community Partners

Tully is fortunate to be able to collaborate with a variety of community organizations to provide rich STEM experiences for our students.

Technology

Tully Elementary offers a full-time Technology Lab teacher/school technology coordinator. All classes are instructed weekly in the Technology Lab, which offers a Project Based Learning Curriculum. Our program supports the integrated use of technology within each classroom as well. Tully students all have a Chromebook device assigned to them following the JCPS Everyone:1 program.

Our curriculum for P1 (kindergarten) through grade-five students follows the Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology. The Kentucky Academic Technology standards are: Empowered Learner, Knowledge Constructor, Digital Citizenship, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Global Collaborator and Creative Communicator.

The Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology require students to take an active role in their own learning. They learn to use technology as a tool to research, organize, design, evaluate, and communicate information and knowledge they have acquired through both independent and collaborative group projects. Students also learn how to apply critical reasoning and problem-solving skills when dealing with the ethical and legal issues that surround being a digital citizen. Internet safety is stressed heavily here at Tully.

Beginning in kindergarten, students complete projects based on the Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology. Projects examples: Graphic Design, Graphic Art, Slideshows, Infographics, Podcasting, Stop Motion Animation, Digital Illustration, and Coding.

Student Technology Leadership Program

Tully has a state-recognized Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP). The mission of STLP is to advance individual student capabilities, to motivate all students, and to create leadership opportunities through the use of technology.

Physical Education 

Tully's physical education (PE) program addresses health-related and skill-related components that promote lifetime physical activity. Students acquire skills, fitness, knowledge, and attitudes toward their physical well-being. Good sportsmanship and quality social interaction skills are also stressed. In the Primary grades, the main focus is assisting the development of students' motor and fitness skills. During the intermediate grades, the main focus is to continue with the development and refinement of motor skills and applying them in various games and other physical activities. Also at this level, importance is put on attitudes toward lifetime physical fitness and its benefits.

Tully Sports 

Cross Country

Tully offers a cross country team for all 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students. The cross country season starts the first of August and goes through October. The tryout for each new season is during May of the previous school year.  

Basketball

Tully offers basketball for third- through fifth-grade students. Tully has a 5th grade girls team that plays on Friday nights at Mid America Sports Complex. Tully has (2) 3rd/4th girls teams that play on Sunday at Mid America Sports Complex. Tully has (2) 4th/5th grade boys teams that play on Friday nights and a 3rd grade team that plays at the Mid America Sports Complex on Sunday evenings. The basketball season runs from the beginning of October to the end of February.

Floor Hockey

Tully offers (2) coed floor hockey teams for 4th/5th grade boys and girls. The team plays at Stopher Elementary on Friday nights and some Saturday mornings. The season starts in November and ends in February. 

Soccer

Tully offers a coed soccer team for 3rd through 5th grade boys and girls. The team currently plays at Mockingbird Soccer complex on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. The season starts in March and ends in May. 

Physical Education and Sports Teams

Tully's physical education (PE) program addresses health-related and skill-related components that promote lifetime physical activity. Students acquire skills, fitness, knowledge, and attitudes toward their physical well-being. Good sportsmanship and quality social interaction skills are also stressed. In the Primary grades, the main focus is assisting the development of students' motor and fitness skills. During the intermediate grades, the main focus is to continue with the development and refinement of motor skills and applying them in various games and other physical activities. Also at this level, importance is put on attitudes toward lifetime physical fitness and its benefits.

There are many opportunities for students to participate in a wide variety of activities here at Tully.

• Art Club

• Tully Tiger Ensemble

• Academic Teams (Written Assessment, Quick Recall, and Future Problem Solvers)

• Band (fifth grade)

• Orchestra (fifth grade)

• Roving Reporters

• D.A.R.E. Program

• Field Day

• Kids Heart Challenge

• Junior Achievement (JA)

• Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)

• BETA

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

• Cross-Country

• Tiger Basketball Teams

• Chess Club

• Volleyball

• Floor Hockey

• Soceer

• League of Logic Club (LOL)

• Robotics

• Men of Quality

• Wonderfully Me

• Tennis

Gifted and Talented (GT)

Gifted and Talented or GT, is the title given to student incoming to 4th grade or above who have been identified as having high abilities in one or more of the following categories: leadership, arts, specifics ability, or creativity.

Primary Talent Pool (PTP)

Primary Talent Pool or PTP, is the title given to K-3 students who exhibit qualities of the high ability categories above. These students are monitored until the end of third grade and MAY be identified as GT but not always

Services

As GT and PTP are relatively new to Tully it will take time to build the program. Possible services provided to qualifying students may include pull out small groups, push in small groups, online activities, co-teaching experiences, and independent studies. As the program develops, more services will be offered to students.