Visual and Performing Arts    Course Descriptions

Art 6: Introduction to Art 

Course Code 200700 - One Semester

Elective Art 6 infuses art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetic critiques. The 6th grade program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to continue to develop a foundation of varied skills, techniques, concepts, and ideas. Students engage in the process of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting with their art and the work of others. Students establish a continuing portfolio to include written and visual documentation of the creative process. 

Art 7: Visual Media Exploration

Course Code 201700

Elective Art 7 is a course that infuses art history, art criticism, and aesthetic critiques. This course is designed to provide students 

with the opportunity to continue to develop a foundation of varied art skills, techniques, concepts and ideas beyond what is

learned in the 6th grade program. Learning experiences will be connected to the real world, allowing students to understand 

how art relates to everything around us. Students will continue to discuss and write about their artwork and that of other artists. 

Also, students will 

establish a continuing art portfolio. 

Art 8: Interdisciplinary Studio

Course Code 202700 - One Semester; 202000 - Full Year

Elective Art is an elective course which can be taken for one semester or a full year. 8th grade art infuses art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetic critiques. Students engage in the process of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting with their art and the work of others. The course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to hone technical skills, develop their own personal vision and ideas while experiencing more depth within a broad range of media. Students continue to develop their art portfolios to communicate the creative process. 

Art 8 Three-Dimensional Design Studio

Course Code 203000

Elective This course is designed to allow 8th grade art students the opportunity to explore three-dimensional art through the 

creative process using the elements and principles of design. Students will initiate and develop innovative ideas as they explore 

multi-media forms while applying depth, space, volume, and surface in an integrative way. Various experiences will provide students

 with hands-on creative challenges to discover sculpture, architecture , ceramics, and assemblage. Collaborative experiences will 

allow students unique opportunities to possibly create a 3D installation for the school and/or community. Art students will develop 

a continuing 3D Design portfolio. 

Chorus 6  

Course Code 235000 

Elective This course is for students who like to sing and want to develop their singing skills. Emphasis is placed on developing appropriate vocal techniques and skills necessary for singing in an ensemble. Essential music theory skills will be stressed, including reading notation, ear training and sight singing. Students will develop choral literacy by singing a variety of literature that is sacred and secular. Participation in performance activities, such as winter and spring concerts and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Music Lab 6

Course Code 205000

Elective This class is designed to enable students to enjoy life-long involvement with music as an educated consumer and participant. Active learning is the theme of this hands-on course. Students will explore music and develop musical literacy through activities such as world music drumming, introduction to guitar, singing and creating their own music. Students may also collaborate on unique music projects using web-based tools. 

Strings 6

Course Code 207000

Elective This is a full-year elective which provides students with beginning instruction for violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will learn the basic elements of music while developing the techniques and skills appropriate to an orchestral string instrument. Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. 5th grade students wishing to join orchestra must attend an evening instrumental Clinic Registration Night in the spring to select an instrument. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as winter and spring concerts and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Band 6

Course Code 230000

Elective This class is open to students who have an interest in learning to play the flute, clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, tuba, or percussion (snare drum/mallet instruments). Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. 5th grade students wishing to join band must attend an evening band clinic in the spring. During this clinic, students will meet with band directors and be evaluated individually on each of the band instruments. This is to ensure they are matched up with an instrument that best suits their natural physical embouchure characteristics and best guarantees of their success. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as winter and spring concerts and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Band 7

Course Code 231000

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Band 6 or equivalent study and experience

Elective Students enrolled in this class will continue learning and developing the fundamental skills of playing a band instrument with an increased emphasis on ensemble performances. Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. Instruments include: percussion, clarinet, trumpet, flute/oboe, low brass, and saxophone. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Chorus 7

Course Code 236000

Elective This class is open to all students with a strong desire to sing and requires no audition. Students will apply the basics of proper singing techniques while performing a variety of styles of unison, two- and three-part choral music. Music reading skills are emphasized in this class, and students will develop choral literacy by singing literature that is sacred and secular. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Guitar 7

Course Code 208000

Elective 7th Grade Guitar is open to all students. The nylon-stringed classical guitar is used to introduce students to proper guitar technique, sitting position, standard music notation, tablature, chord charts, music theory and history, and solo and ensemble playing in a variety of musical styles. Care and proper maintenance of the instrument is also emphasized. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

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Strings 7

Course Code 207100

Prerequisite: Successful completing of Strings 6 or equivalent study and experience

Elective This is a full-year elective which provides instruction for violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students enrolled in this class will continue to develop fundamental performance skills introduced in Strings 6 with an increased focus on ensemble playing. Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Chorus 8 

Course Code 237000

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chorus 7 recommended, not required

Elective Chorus 8 is a performance-oriented class. Sight singing skills are stressed as well as an emphasis on proper vocal techniques. Chorus 8 provides students the opportunity to continue to build their musical skills in preparation for performance at the high school level. Students will develop choral literacy by singing literature that is sacred and secular. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Band 8

Course Code 232000

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Band 7 or equivalent study and experience 

Elective Band 8 provides students the opportunity to continue to build their musical skills in preparation for performance at the high school level. There is a continued emphasis on development of performance techniques, sight-reading skills, ensemble playing, and a more difficult and varied repertoire. Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Strings 8

Course Code 207003

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Strings 7 or equivalent study and experience

Elective Strings 8 provides students the opportunity to continue to build their musical skills in preparation for performance at the high school level. There is a continued emphasis on performance techniques, sight-reading skills, ensemble playing, and a more difficult and varied repertoire. Students provide their own instruments through rental or purchase. Students are required to practice daily. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required. 

Guitar 8 Level 1

Course Code 210000

Elective 8th Grade Guitar Level 1 is open to all students. The nylon-stringed classical guitar is used to introduce students to proper guitar techniques, standard music notation, tablature, chord charts, music theory and history, and solo and ensemble playing in a variety of musical styles. Care and maintenance of the instrument are emphasized as well. Participation in performance activities, such as concerts, assessments and rehearsals outside regular school hours is required.

Guitar 8 Level 2

Course Code 209000

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar 7 or equivalent study and experience

Elective This course begins with a review of skills and concepts introduced in 7th Grade Guitar. Greater emphasis is placed on elements of guitar technique including scales, arpeggios, slurs, stretches, and the establishment of a regular practice routine. The nylon-stringed classical guitar is used. Students perform increasingly complex ensemble and solo repertoire. Participating in 8th Grade Guitar Level 2 may require after-school performances with rehearsals. 

Exploratory Dramatics

Course Code 201100

Elective Exploratory Dramatics will provide students with an introduction to the study of performance, theatre history, dramatic literature and theatrical production. Through research, planning, scripting, production and performance experiences, students will acquire skills in communicating ideas, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. This course prepares students for further theatrical study in high school. This course may not be offered at all schools.