1.0 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7100
Course’s essential questions or focus: Preparation of an art portfolio
This course is for those students who would like to study or major in an art field after high school. Classes are a balance between instruction and independent projects. Time is spent on developing and organizing a portfolio.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two art electives
Grades 11, 12
1.0 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7106
Course’s essential questions or focus: Preparation of the AP art portfolio
This studio course is for those students who plan to study or major in an art-related field after high school. Emphasis will be placed upon meeting the high demands of the required advanced placement portfolio consisting of 27 major works within a variety of media.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two art electives
Grades 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7113
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course is an introduction to ceramics.
In this introduction to ceramics, students will learn the basic techniques of hand-building and wheel-throwing. Studio projects can range from creating three-dimensional creatures to crafting utilitarian wares such as bowls, mugs, and serving plates. Several firing techniques, including "raku," an ancient Japanese process, will be explored.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7114
Course’s essential questions or focus:
A continuation of Ceramics I, but with an emphasis on advanced glazing and firing techniques such as micro-crystalline glazes, horse-hair pottery, and outdoor smoke firings. Independent projects will also be encouraged as the student/artist explores a more personal vision with this exciting medium.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Ceramics I
Grades 9, 10, 11,12
FRESHMEN CONCERT BAND
1.0 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7022
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing wind and percussion instruments in a large ensemble format.
Students in Freshman Concert Band will continue their study of performance on wind or percussion instruments. Students will focus on technique, including proper playing position, rhythm, note reading, scales, and an introduction to advanced techniques. Students will study music from a variety of genres. Students will perform multiple times throughout the year.
Prerequisite: Participation in Middle School Concert Band
Grade 9
Concert Band
1.0 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7000
With Choir: 7001
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing wind and percussion instruments in a large ensemble format.
Concert Band is designed to provide an outlet for instrumental music students on all brass, reed, and percussion instruments. Exposure to many areas of band music literature from the classics to the present will be included. The band works towards a finished product applying musical terms and expressions as they relate to the literature. Students will be expected to perform publicly at several concerts.
Prerequisite: Freshmen Concert Band
Grades 10, 11, 12
1.0 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7003
With Band: 7005
With Orchestra: 7007
Course’s essential questions or focus: Singing in a group
The Concert Choir emphasizes vocal techniques and the exploration and interpretation of various periods and styles of choral literature. The repertoire varies from year to year so that the course covers a considerable range of literature over a four-year span.
Prerequisite: Concert Choir is open to all students without an audition.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 1217
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course will focus on writing that involves the imagination and invention in form and content.
Creative writing will include units on nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, and poetry. The course will ask students to explore and incorporate the fundamental literary elements in each genre. The basic techniques for handling point of view, tone, description, dialogue, and imagery will also be discussed. Students will be required to share their writing in small groups and whole-class workshops, and a working draft of an assignment will be due each week. Periodically, students will be asked to revisit drafts, consider feedback, and revise based on feedback and instruction. The course's final product and assessment will be a portfolio of student-selected pieces, a reflection of its contents, and a presentation of the work.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7116
Course’s essential questions or focus: Beginning Photoshop and Design
In this single-semester course, you will be learning to use Adobe Photoshop to create original works of art and design. If you enjoy learning new skills, working on the computer and modern visual culture you will enjoy this course.
Prerequisite: In order to fully participate in the class, you must have access to a camera or cell phone with a camera.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7117
Course’s essential questions or focus: Photoshop and Graphic Design
Did you love Digital Art and Design I? Come dig deeper into the art of Graphic Design. In this single-semester course, you will continue making original works of art in Adobe Photoshop. We will be working on more advanced projects and gaining professional design skills, as well as looking at graphic design as a career. Can be repeated for credit if space is available. Honors Challenge will be available for interested students.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Digital Art & Design I
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7103
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course is an introduction to drawing.
In Drawing I, we will learn the fundamentals of non-symbol (realistic) drawing as well as drawing from imagination. Students will be encouraged to find meaning in their own artwork through various studio activities and reflections designed to teach the technical skills of drawing as well as foster critical and creative thinking. Whether or not you consider yourself an “artist” is irrelevant! Students of all skills and abilities are encouraged to sign up!
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9,10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7104
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course further explores drawing using a variety of techniques and surfaces.
Drawing II will encourage students to continue to discover their own mark and personal voices as artists. The continuation of skill development will be addressed as students work to become fluent in the language of drawing. Experimental Drawing techniques with a variety of art media will also be explored as we become more comfortable using our own skills and personal imagery to create relevant and meaningful artwork.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing I
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
FIDDLE
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7023
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing fiddle music in a solo and ensemble format.
Students taking Fiddle will learn the history and culture associated with Fiddle music, including cultural and stylistic differences between Irish fiddle, Scottish fiddle, and American/bluegrass fiddle. Students will learn primarily by ear, as is traditional in fiddle music, and will have ample opportunity for collaboration, improvisation, and peer teaching/learning. Students will have the opportunity to perform throughout the semester in various contexts and iterations, as a group and individually.
Prerequisite: Freshmen Orchestra or by teacher permission
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7018
Course’s essential questions or focus: Introduction to Guitar for Beginners
Students will learn how to tune and string a guitar, the basics of note reading, guitar tablature, chord symbols, chord change patterns, basic finger picking styles, strumming styles and will learn a variety of music. This course will be taught on a 6 string acoustic guitar and will use the Hal Leonard method book plus supplementary materials. Students must supply their own 6 string acoustic guitar or have access to one for the class.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Curriculum Guide
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7020
Course’s essential questions or focus: Continuation of Beginning Guitar
Advanced guitar lab will be a continuation of Basic Guitar Lab. Skills will continue to be developed, as well as broadening the student’s use of styles and chords. Improvised solos and jazz reading will be introduced. Students will have a listening/research project, as well as a final recital performance.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar Lab
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
JAZZ BAND
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number:
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing jazz music in a solo and ensemble format.
Students in Jazz Band will study jazz music through performance, history, and cultural context. Students will delve into swing, bebop, dixieland, and funk/fusion, learning about the stylistic differences as well as the historical and cultural events that shaped the development of each style. Students will learn the basics of improvisation on their respective instruments and will have ample opportunity to improvise in concerts. The ensemble will perform at least twice per semester.
Prerequisite: Freshmen Concert Band, Freshmen Orchestra, Piano I, Guitar I, or by teacher permission
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7201
Course’s essential questions or focus:
The goal of this course is to introduce students to print, digital, and broadcast journalism; to acquaint them with techniques required in all facets of newspaper production, and ultimately to produce a student newspaper for circulation to the students of Windham High School. Instruction and assessment will revolve around practice and mastery of various English skills. An interest in writing-as-inquiry and communicating not just the latest news but the underlying ideas will be critical to success in this class.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7206
Course’s essential questions or focus:
Students in the Advanced Journalism course continue to build upon skills acquired in the regular journalism course. Special attention is paid to the computer-assisted layout and design of the school newspaper. This course fulfills 1/2 of the Fine Arts requirement. Instruction and assessment will revolve around practice and mastery of various English skills.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Journalism
Grades 11, 12
INTRO TO MODERN BAND
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7033
Course’s essential questions or focus: An introductory performance-based class for students interested in popular music in a rock band format.
This introductory course is intended for students with little to no prior experience. Students will be introduced to performance on bass, guitar, drums, piano, and vocals and then work in small groups to play popular music of their choosing. The course will be centered around students’ interests and will culminate in a final concert in which all students are expected to participate.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Modern Band
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7011
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing popular music in a rock band format.
Students in this course will work in small groups to rehearse and perform modern popular music through singing and performance on instruments including bass, guitar, drums, piano, and electronic instruments. Additionally, students will be introduced to sound engineering and recording techniques, including the correct set up and usage of microphones, amplifiers, and lighting equipment in the auditorium. The course will be centered around students’ interests and will culminate in a final concert in which all students are expected to participate either as performers or as part of the production team. Course may be repeated multiple times for credit.
Prerequisite: Students must be capable of performing on at least one of the following instruments: guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals.
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7024
Course’s essential questions or focus: Analysis and Construction of Music
Music Theory I begins with the basic language of music and the symbols used to read and study music. Students will progress to harmonic analysis and 4-part writing. Sight-singing, ear training, and rhythmic dictation will be stressed.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7025
Course’s essential questions or focus: Advanced Analysis
Music Theory II is a continuation of Music Theory I. The course will begin with a brief review of basic technology and terminology. Work on advanced skills and the use of them in music analysis, arranging and composition will follow. The course will also contain sections dealing with music history.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory I
Grades 10, 11, 12
MUSIC INDUSTRY
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7028
Course’s essential questions or focus: The business of music
Music Industry will explore the various non-performance careers available in the field of music, such as music therapy, recording engineering, instrument repair, retail music business, artist management, music publishing, and more. The class will involve research, guest speakers, and a final project focusing on one of the available careers. Additional opportunities for job shadowing and field trips may be available.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7031
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course will cover an overview of the musical history in the State of Maine, exploring all genres with a special emphasis on contemporary music.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7034
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course will cover the relationship between music and movies, focusing on how sound is used to tell a story. Students will learn how soundtracks and sound effects are used in film and will create their own projects using techniques from this class.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
FRESHMEN ORCHESTRA
1.0 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7012
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing string instruments in a large ensemble format.
Students in Freshman Orchestra will continue their study of performance on stringed instruments. Students will focus on technique, including proper playing position, rhythm, note reading, scales, and an introduction to shifting and advanced techniques. Students will study music from a variety of genres. Students will perform multiple times throughout the year.
Prerequisite: Participation in Middle School Orchestra
Grade 9
1.0 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7009
With Choir: 7010
Course’s essential questions or focus: A performance-based class for students interested in playing string instruments in a large ensemble format.
Orchestra is designed to provide an outlet for instrumental music students on all string instruments. Exposure to many areas of orchestra music literature from the classics to the present will be included. The orchestra works towards a finished product applying musical terms and expressions as they relate to the literature. Students will be expected to perform publicly at several concerts.
Prerequisite: Freshmen Orchestra
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7119
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course is an introduction to painting.
In Painting I, we will learn the fundamentals of painting including color, design, composition, and different ways to use brushes and paints in expressive ways. The class will provide a supportive and creative environment in which to explore painting styles, ideas, and personal stories. No experience is needed. Bring your enthusiasm and love of color!
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7121
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course further explores painting using a variety of techniques and surfaces.
Painting II is for students who have a desire to continue to explore the creative process in paint. As students better understand color, painting techniques, and design, they will use their paintings to express their own personal stories and identities through paint and mixed media art. Bring your enthusiasm and creativity!
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Painting I
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7126
Course’s essential questions or focus: Introduction to Digital and Darkroom Photography
Dive into the art of photography! In this class, we will make photographs using both darkroom and digital techniques. We will learn ways to improve your photographs using composition and photoshop editing. We will learn to analyze and examine what makes a good photograph, and we will, of course, take lots of pictures!
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7127
Course’s essential questions or focus: Advanced Digital and Darkroom Techniques
Did you love photography I? If so, come back for more! This class is an extension of Photography I where students will take on more advanced projects both in Photoshop and in the Darkroom. We will check out the whole art form including looking at modern photography, using 100-year-old techniques, and looking at photography as a career. Can be repeated for credit if space is available. Honors Challenge will be available for interested students.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography I
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7013
Course’s essential questions or focus: An introductory class for students interested in playing piano.
Students will learn note reading, rhythm interpretations, correct keyboard techniques, and the basics of composition. This course will be taught on a Yamaha keyboard and will use Faber’s “Adult Piano Adventures” and Noteflight composition software.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7132
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course is an introduction to printmaking.
Printmaking is a fun, sculptural process. Printing plates are created from different materials and methods and then inked and printed on a press. The results are expressive works of art that can be produced in multiples. In this class, students will experiment with monoprinting, engraving, relief printing, and collagraphs. This is a fun and active studio class for those who like to experiment with different artistic processes and materials. No prior experience is necessary to create some very interesting works of art.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7110
Course’s essential questions or focus:
This course will introduce the student to basic 3-D design and sculptural techniques using both additive and subtractive processes. Students will use materials such as plaster, clay, wood, paper, stone and found objects.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7108
Course’s essential questions or focus: This course is an introduction to the exciting world of Street Art.
This course examines the exciting genre of Street Art. Students will be introduced to this global art movement along with its prominent artists and their techniques. Further, students will explore the concepts and ideas that inspire Street Artists and the impact Street Art has on viewers and society as a whole.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDIT
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7301
Course’s essential questions or focus: Why is theater such an enduring art form? How has modern theater developed over the centuries? How do actors improve their craft? What is the role of design in modern theater?
This course will offer an introductory overview of theatrical styles, from Ancient Greece to the modern Broadway musical, important plays from each time period, and the universal practices that have made a lasting impression on the theatrical world. Students will develop an appreciation of drama and stagecraft, as well as acting skills that are applicable to everyday life.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7131
Course’s essential questions or focus: Movie Making
This class will provide students with an artistic and creative approach to movie making. This course provides instruction in creating footage, editing footage, and finalizing video projects. We will also examine the art of storytelling and character development as presented in movies.
Prerequisite: In order to fully participate in the class, you must have access to a camera or cell phone with a camera.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
0.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Fine Arts
Course Number: 7107
Course’s essential questions or focus: Design and build products using wood
This introductory course will help students learn a variety of design, joinery, construction, finishing, and sealing techniques by working with both hand and power tools in a safe and creative environment.
Prerequisite: None
Grades 10, 11, 12