Electives
6th Grade
The Arts Program in sixth grade provides students the opportunity to explore their creative abilities and develop an appreciation for the arts. The availability of all courses are based on student enrollment and the availability of staffing.
Full Year Unified Arts Rotation
This year-long course provides 6th graders with a sampling of four different electives: Art, Robotics, Awareness of Language Culture and the IB Middle Years Programme. Students spend a marking period in each course listed below.
ART - MS Studio Art 1 (ART1024) - Students will be provided with multiple and varied opportunities to explore IDENTITY and the many ways this theme can be represented through visual art. They will develop a fundamental understanding of ideation, media techniques, formal qualities, and compositional devices. Students will explore a variety of traditional student media and techniques, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and crafts to create artworks.
STEM - Robotic Design 6 (ITC2068) - Students will apply coding and programming skills and problem-solving to make physical models respond to commands. Students will collaborate, communicate, think computationally, program, debug and create models while learning to solve open-ended, real-life problems.
FACS - Creative FACs 6 (EDU1000) - Students will focus on processes and skills that enhance individual, family, and societal well-being. The program reflects the National Standards for FACS Education and integrate math, science, English, and social
studies. A project-based curriculum encourages students to investigate and solve authentic problems. Students learn to use communication and critical-thinking skills as well as current technologies to make informed decisions.
MUSIC - General Music 1 (ART1030) - In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn about music and instruments from a variety of world cultures. Students explore various genres of music through singing, performing on instruments, and creating music. World Beat Music Grade 6 is open to all sixth grade students interested in deepening their understanding and application of musical concepts and historical study.
Full Year Elective Music Courses
The following courses are full year elective musical options for sixth grade students. Students will be able to prioritize their electives preference in the request form.
MUSIC - MS Chorus 1: Creative Thinking and Singing (ART1040A/B)
Students will create, perform, and respond to music in a variety of styles/genres. Students will develop the fundamentals of proper vocal technique and choral singing in relation to posture, breath control, tone, intonation, diction, blending, singing in harmony, music literacy, and sight-singing. Students will primarily sing state level 2 music. There likely will be a minimum of two school concerts and students are expected to participate in all performances. This course is open to all students, regardless of music background.
MUSIC - MS Band I MS & Creative Thinking A/B (ART1033A/B)
Students refine skills learned from their elementary Grade 4 and 5 instrumental music programs to develop more advanced performance techniques. The development of technical skills necessary to perform Grade 1 to Grade 2 Level music is stressed. Emphasis is placed on developing formal rehearsal decorum, following a conductor, and developing pitch and rhythmic security in preparation for performing an independent part in the traditional band or orchestra ensemble. Students also learn melodic form and construction as they examine and perform more complex folk melodies and melodies from master composers. Students discuss the social and intellectual influences that affected the creation of the music they are studying. They begin to develop aesthetic criteria for measuring the quality of instrumental performance. Students may attend live performances and perform in public.
MUSIC - Orchestra I MS & Creative Thinking A/B (ART1045A/B)
Students refine skills learned from their elementary Grade 4 and 5 instrumental music programs to develop more advanced performance techniques. The development of technical skills necessary to perform Grade 1 to Grade 2 Level music is stressed. Emphasis is placed on developing formal rehearsal decorum, following a conductor, and developing pitch and rhythmic security in preparation for performing an independent part in the traditional band or orchestra ensemble. Students also learn melodic form and construction as they examine and perform more complex folk melodies and melodies from master composers. Students discuss the social and intellectual influences that affected the creation of the music they are studying. They begin to develop aesthetic criteria for measuring the quality of instrumental performance. Students may attend live performances and perform in public.
