Investigating Careers in Business

Students are provided an opportunity to operate a small group or class-based business offering a service or product needed in their community. Students learn basic entrepreneurial concepts, fundamental business, economics, and private enterprise systems. Students analyze the sales process and financial management principles. Course objectives are achieved through collaborative work. Students investigate careers related to business administration and management.

Investigating Careers in Graphic Design I

This course includes composing and editing copy for documents such as brochures, posters, and publications. Students develop an understanding of graphic design and illustration. The creative design process is used for two or three-dimensional projects. Art elements and principles of design focus on the fundamental elements and principles of visual art and design. Career opportunities and qualifications are explored.

Investigating Careers in Audio/Video Media I

Students will analyze and assess current and emerging technologies and explore careers in the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications cluster, while designing and creating multimedia/animation projects. Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace environment. The knowledge and skills acquired and practiced will enable students to successfully perform and interact in a technology-driven society.

Business, Marketing, and Finances

In Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance, students gain knowledge and skills in economies and private enterprise systems, the impact of global business, the marketing of goods and services, advertising, and product pricing. Students analyze the sales process and financial management principles. This course allows students to reinforce, apply, and transfer academic knowledge and skills to a variety of interesting and relevant activities, problems, and settings in business, marketing, and finance.

Speech (.5)

This course develops the skills of the five functions of expression: participating in social traditions, informing, persuading, creating and imagining. Students will develop and evaluate communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and professional presentations

Health (.5)

This course presents extensive coverage of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health including: consumer health; diseases; environmental health and safety; growth and development; health and fitness for daily living; nutrition; use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol and drugs; and the human life cycle. Students are encouraged to choose responsible health behaviors now and in the future. This course is for mature middle school students. Students who complete this course will earn 0.5 high school credit toward their graduation requirements.

Graphic Design and Illustration (Yearbook)

Within this context, in addition to developing knowledge and skills needed for success in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster, students will be expected to develop an understanding of the industry with a focus on fundamental elements and principles of visual art and design.

Means Media (Print/Video)

Careers in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster require a creative aptitude, a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral and written communication. Students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding of the various and multifaceted career opportunities in this cluster and the knowledge, skills, and educational requirements for those opportunities. This course allows students to develop knowledge and skills related to information management, presentation, animation, video technology, printing and desktop publishing.

Film

To survey and analyze cinema including history, film techniques, production procedures, selected motion pictures, and cinema’s impact on and reflection of society. Students will also spend a great deal of time learning cinematic narrative structure and will develop their own screenplays (most likely in the form of group collaboration). The second half of the course will see students developing short films based on the screenplays they constructed in the first half of the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Analyze film through written response.

2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of film history, form, and genre.

3. Describe the collaborative nature of cinema and the many jobs required to develop a motion picture.

4. Discuss/Describe the relationship of cinema to society as it relates to his/her perspective.

Art Courses

Theatre

_Beginning Theatre

This introductory theatre course will focus on creative expression through theatrical performance. Students will become skilled at employing: acting techniques, movement & body control, proper vocalization methods, and the development of characters from different periods and styles of drama.

_Tech Theatre

Students will recognize the interdependence of all theatrical elements, and the role of a technical director and a technician in the rehearsal and performance process of a show. Students will recognize the importance of and be able to effectively create publicity for a show. Students will work in a variety of colors, textures, and mediums. Students will learn theatre safety, the aspects of design and implementation of design in scenery, props, costumes, lighting, and sound. Students will also study makeup design and application.

_Intermediate Theatre (Audition Required)

This intermediate theatre course will focus on creative expression through theatrical performance and design. Students will become skilled at employing: acting techniques, movement & body control, proper vocalization methods, and the development of characters from different periods and styles of drama. Students will explore historical and cultural studies in theatre and have opportunities to see live professional theater.

_Advance Theatre (Audition Required)

This advanced theatre course will focus on creative expression through performance. In order to enroll in this class, students must audition prior to the semester and be selected by the director. The focus of this class involves the producing of the school theatrical productions. Using the skills learned in previous theatre classes the students will work on all aspects of the school’s productions including; publicity, set design, costume design, lighting, sound, makeup, and props as well as stage management and direction.

Orchestra

_Beginning Orchestra

This orchestra is for beginners and no music experience is needed. This class provides the foundation for all of the other orchestras.

_Intermediate Orchestra

This orchestra is made up of students with at least one year of playing experience.

_Advanced Orchestra (Audition Required)

Entry into this orchestra is by audition only. This ensemble serves as our Varsity Orchestra in all competitions and represents the Orchestra program at Sadler Means at all showcases and other Fine Arts academy events.

Dance

_Beginning Dance

Students will focus on exploring movement and building basic dance skills/techniques to begin their dance education. The curriculum will include: Elements of Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Choreographic Processes

_Intermediate Dance

Students will learn and develop kinesthetic awareness, proper body alignment, physical strength, flexibility, endurance, and care of the body while exploring expressive movement through dance technique. The curriculum will include: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Choreographic Processes

_Purple Gems (7th and 8th grade) (Audition Required)

The purpose of the Purple Gems is to provide dancers with the following: performance opportunities throughout the year (in addition to the Fall and Spring Show), dance training through conventions and workshops, build technique skills, and dance artistry. Auditions are held in the spring each year and open to students who will be entering 7th or 8th grade for the following school year. The curriculum will include: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pom, Musical Theater, and additional choreography/dance production elements throughout the year.

Choir

_Phoenix Choir (Beginning)

This choir will have a focus in repertoire, vocal and choral technique, and music theory. These students have the opportunity to participate in the All-City Choral Festival, and Solo and Ensemble competition.

_Ameythist Choir (Intermediate)

These choirs consists of a select group of 7th and 8th grade girls selected through an audition process during the previous year. These students will work on advanced repertoire and choral technique. They will perform at scheduled concerts, school assemblies, and UIL.

_Dual Language Choir

_Purple Diamond Choir

These choirs consists of a select group of 7th and 8th grade girls selected through an audition process during the previous year. These students will work on advanced repertoire and choral technique. They will perform at scheduled concerts, school assemblies, and UIL. This group also participates in other "gigs" that surface throughout the year; i.e. local events, nursing homes, National Anthem performances for athletic events, etc.

Band