Middle School Elective Courses

Transcription

1 Middle School Elective Courses 6 th Grade Electives ARTS Visual Art 6 Students in grade 6 explore and experiment with a variety of art media and techniques. They apply the elements of art and the principles of design as they create images from a variety of sources. Students study the purpose and function of art in other cultures and historical periods. As they investigate art as a means of communication, students focus on skills and vocabulary to critique the work of other artists as well as their own work. Beginning Band 6 This course in instrumental music is for the beginning band student. No prior experience on a musical instrument is necessary. Instruments must be furnished by the student. Students may choose from the following instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Beginning Band 6 is a prerequisite for Band 7 and 8. The focus at grade 6 is playing music at the appropriate level of difficulty with expression and technical accuracy. The student also plays music written in easy keys, meters, and rhythms in limited ranges. Beginning Orchestra 6 This instrumental music course is designed for students beginning to play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. No prior experience in music reading or playing is necessary. Students must furnish their own instruments. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Orchestra 6 is a prerequisite for Orchestra 7 and 8. The focus at grade 6 is on playing music at the appropriate level of difficulty with expression and technical accuracy. The student also plays music written in easy keys, meters, and rhythms in limited ranges. Chorus 6 This course is for students with a special interest in vocal music. Primary emphasis is placed upon training of the changing voice. Chorus 6 focuses on voice development, tone quality, singing technique, diction, and music reading. Students create harmony by singing 2-part songs, partner songs, and rounds. They explore music written in easy keys, meters, and rhythms in limited ranges. Concerts, choral festivals, and workshops are an important part of the curriculum, and students are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Theatre Arts 6 Through active participation in theatre, students in Theatre Arts 6 explore the world of the playwright, actor, designer, and director. While students experiment with movement, dialogue, and expression, they also participate in reading, writing, and performing scripts.

2 Exploring Music 6 This course builds upon skills learned in the general music classes in grades 1-5. The curriculum may address vocal and/or instrumental practices. Students develop an understanding of the styles, periods, and elements of music such as harmony, melody, form, and tone. CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION Exploring Career Decisions- Family and Consumer Science 6 Note: This course has a recommended maximum of 30 students and a recommended number of instructional This course is designed to provide an orientation to the world of work. Experiences are designed to introduce students to the technical nature of today s world and the role of productive workers. Activities enable students to increase self-awareness and make wise educational and occupational decisions as they plan for careers. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include job shadowing and field trips. Exploring Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship 6 This middle school course is designed to explore the nature of business in an international economy and to study related careers in fields such as entrepreneurship, financial services, information technology, marketing, office systems technology, public relations and promotion, and travel and tourism. Emphasis is on using the computer while studying applications in these careers along with problem solving and thinking skills. This course contributes to the development of a career development plan. English language arts, mathematics, and social studies are reinforced. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. Technology Design and Innovation 6 Note: This course has a recommended maximum of 20 students. This middle school course focuses on applying the design process in the invention of a new product, process, or system. Through engaging activities and hands-on projects, students focus on understanding how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, testing, and refining designs. Students develop skills in researching information, communicating design information, and reporting results. Activities are structured to integrate physical and social sciences, mathematics, English language arts, and art. This course will be taught first semester only. Exploring Career Decisions: Biotechnology 6 This course is designed to provide an orientation to the world of work. Experiences are designed to introduce students to the technical nature of today s workplace and the role of productive workers in Biotechnology Careers. Activities enable students to increase self-awareness and make wise educational and occupational decisions as they plan for careers.

3 WORLD LANGUAGE Spanish At the beginning level, students start their study of the second language. The focus of the program is on the development of proficiency. To be effective the program provides sequential instruction to ensure the development of the necessary language skills. In a beginning sequence, focus is placed on the development of the listening and speaking skills first. Reading and writing are integrated later on. Students use basic language to interact with their peers about familiar topics. They are able to understand contextualized directions, commands, key words and phrases, and they can make inferences from the materials they hear or read. They rely heavily on visual cues and/or props. They are involved in short presentations including poems, songs, and other internalized materials. They gain some insights into other cultures as well as their own. They are able to apply learning strategies and processes from other disciplines and they can develop their own strategies to help them learn better. Their experience with the language is not limited to the classroom. 7 th Grade Electives ARTS Visual Art 7 Visual Art 7 focuses on techniques and processes for working with a variety of materials. Students are required to plan more extensively for their art and create original imagery. As they plan and organize for art, they begin to understand how ideas develop and change over time. Students study the aesthetic diversity of a variety of cultures as they investigate the purposes art has served throughout history. Band 7 This course in instrumental music is for students who have successfully completed Beginning Band Students must furnish their own instruments. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Students are also eligible, but not required, to participate in other out-of-class events, such as All-County Band, All District Band, and Solo and Ensemble Competition.Students play music at an appropriate and increasingly difficult level with expression and technical accuracy on at least one instrument and play music written in a variety of keys, meters, and rhythms. Chorus 7 This course is for the student who has a special interest in choral music and wants to improve as a singer. Emphasis is on developing the voice, tone quality, vocal technique, diction, and music reading. In addition, students sing music written in two and three parts. Students also sing music written in a variety of keys, meters, and rhythms in limited ranges. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Theatre Arts 7 Theatre Arts 7 continues to build on the creative performance skills addressed in grade 6. Theatre vocabulary, pantomime, improvisation, scene work, and the writing of dramatic literature are emphasized in the curriculum. Students at this level play a larger role in the planning and evaluation of their own work.

4 Orchestra 7 This instrumental music course is designed for intermediate students who have successfully completed Orchestra 6 or similar beginning instruction. Students must furnish their own instruments. Participation in scheduled performances is required. In addition, students are expected to play music at an appropriate and increasingly difficult level with expression and technical accuracy. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION Exploring Family Consumer Science Education 7 This course is designed to meet the developmental needs of the early adolescent. Students will explore family and personal relationship issues, develop resource conservation and management skills, explore life, career and consumer decisions, identify factors to improve nutrition and wellness, and develop an understanding of the impact of new technology in our daily lives. Students will apply problem solving and decision making skills, in a cooperative learning environment that will enhance a positive self-concept. Students will use modules 1, 3, 5, and 7. Computer Skills and Applications 7 This middle school course is composed of instructional modules designed to provide hands-on instruction in basic keyboarding skills, computer concepts, and software applications. The software applications include word processing, desktop publishing, presentation software, introduction to spreadsheets and databases. English language arts and mathematics are reinforced. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. Technology Design and Innovation 7 Note: Due to the potentially hazardous process this course has a recommended maximum of 20 students and a recommended number of instructional This middle school course focuses on applying the design process in the invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system. Through engaging activities and hands-on projects, students focus on understanding how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, testing, and refining designs. Students develop skills in researching information, communicating design information, and reporting results. Activities are structured to integrate physical and social sciences, mathematics, English language arts, and art. This course will take place second semester.

5 Exploring Biotechnology in Health Science 7 Exploring Biotechnology is designed to teach students about new innovations in the fields of agriculture production and human health care. Strongly based in biology and genetics, this class covers topics from the basic structure and operation of DNA to genetic engineering, including cloning and mutations. Students will explore careers in biotechnology and related fields. English/Language Arts, various Science concepts, and Medical Math are reinforced in this course. WORLD LANGUAGE Spanish 7 At the beginning level, students start their study of the second language. The focus of the program is on the development of proficiency. To be effective the program provides sequential instruction to ensure the development of the necessary language skills. In a beginning sequence, focus is placed on the development of the listening and speaking skills first. Reading and writing are integrated later on. Students use basic language to interact with their peers about familiar topics. They are able to understand contextualized directions, commands, key words and phrases, and they can make inferences from the materials they hear or read. They rely heavily on visual cues and/or props. They are involved in short presentations including poems, songs, and other internalized materials. They gain some insights into other cultures as well as their own. They are able to apply learning strategies and processes from other disciplines and they can develop their own strategies to help them learn better. Their experience with the language is not limited to the classroom. 8 th Grade Electives ARTS Visual Art 8 Visual Art 8 continues to expose students to techniques, materials, and art criticism, but the focus becomes more introspective as students move to develop their own level of competence and personal style. Students study the works of a variety of artists as inspiration, and learn to evaluate the effectiveness of a work of art. Students choose media and techniques in order to achieve personal and original solutions. Band 8 This course in instrumental music is for the more advanced band student who has successfully completed Band 6 and 7. Students must furnish their own instruments. Parents and students should realize that members enrolled in this class are expected to participate in some out-of-class performances when given adequate notice. Students are also eligible, but not required, to participate in other out-of-class events, such as All-County Band, All-District Band, and Solo and Ensemble Competition. In addition, students are expected to play music written in modest ranges which may include changes of tempo, key, and meter.

6 Theatre Arts 8 While many of the goals for Theatre Arts 8 build upon the goals of previous theatre arts classes, the content, instruction, student outcomes, and methods of evaluation increase in sophistication. While analyzing and critiquing plays, students also study the history of theatre from Elizabethan to modern times. Theatre Arts 8 is a performance-based class and requires some out-of-class events. Mixed Chorus 8 This course is designed for students who are interested in choral music and want to improve vocal techniques. Continued emphasis is placed on developing tone quality, vocal techniques, diction, and music reading. This is a performance based class and requires some out-of- class events. In addition, the students will sing music written in modest ranges which may include changes of tempo, key, and meter. Orchestra 8 This instrumental music course is designed for students who have successfully completed Orchestra 6 and Orchestra 7 or similar instruction. Students must furnish their own instruments. Participation in scheduled performances is required. In addition, students are expected to play music written in modest ranges which may include changes of tempo, key, and meter. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION Exploring Family Consumer Science Education 8 This course explores life skills essential for the adolescent now and in the future. Units include resource management, relationships, nutrition and wellness, childcare, and career pathways. Resource management includes decision-making, interior design, and managing a sewing project. Relationships focus on personal and social responsibilities with emphasis on the family across the life span. The focus is on developing a foundation for the life management skills. Skills in applying basic academics, problem-solving, decision-making, and creative and critical thinking are reinforced in this course. This course also contributes to the development of the career development plan. Students will use modules 2, 4, and 6. Computer Skills and Applications 8 This middle school course is composed of instructional modules designed to provide hands-on instruction in computer concepts, and software applications. The software applications include word processing, desktop publishing, presentation software, advanced spreadsheets, and databases. English language arts and mathematics are reinforced. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

7 Technological Systems 8 Note: Due to the potentially hazardous process this course has a recommended maximum of 20 students and a recommended number of instructional This middle school course focuses on students understanding how technological systems work together to solve problems and capture opportunities. As technology becomes more integrated and systems become dependent upon each other, this course gives students a general background on the different types of systems, with specific concentration on the connections between these systems. Art, English language arts, mathematics and science are reinforced. Technology Design and Innovation is recommended as preparation for this course. Exploring Biotechnology in Health Science 8 Exploring Biotechnology is designed to teach students about new innovations in the fields of agriculture production and human health care. Teaching strategies encourage the development of essential skills and knowledge of the world of work, careers and leadership in the agriculture and medical industries. Project based learning activities include research methods and laboratory experiments. Strongly based in biology and genetics, this class covers advanced topics from the basic structure and operation of DNA to genetic engineering, including cloning and mutations. Students will explore careers in biotechnology and related fields. English/Language Arts, various Science concepts, and Medical Math are reinforced in this course. WORLD LANGUAGE Spanish At the beginning level, students start their study of the second language. The focus of the program is on the development of proficiency. To be effective the program provides sequential instruction to ensure the development of the necessary language skills. In a beginning sequence, focus is placed on the development of the listening and speaking skills first. Reading and writing are integrated later on. Students use basic language to interact with their peers about familiar topics. They are able to understand contextualized directions, commands, key words and phrases, and they can make inferences from the materials they hear or read. They rely heavily on visual cues and/or props. They are involved in short presentations including poems, songs, and other internalized materials. They gain some insights into other cultures as well as their own. They are able to apply learning strategies and processes from other disciplines and they can develop their own strategies to help them learn better. Their experience with the language is not limited to the classroom.