Electives

Visual Art Course Descriptions 

Drawing & Painting I 

In this introductory level art course, students will use two dimensional art media to explore concepts of the principle elements of art: color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and space. This course is designed for students with little or no experience with drawing or painting. This visual arts course develops and refines fundamental drawing and painting skills as a vehicle for thinking, seeing, and communicating. Students will be introduced to art history and its social and cultural contexts. Students will utilize a variety of tools and techniques for both mediums and gradually gain confidence in many basic painting and drawing methods. Critical analysis will be included as an important aspect of reflecting on student work. This course is a prerequisite for other visual arts courses.

Drawing & Painting II

This intermediate level course builds upon concepts learned in Drawing and Painting I and introduces concepts of the Principles of Design: Balance, Unity, Emphasis, Variety, Movement, Proportion, and Pattern. Students will consider art history and its social and cultural context as they deepen their practice of drawing and painting with new and increasingly advanced techniques and material application. Critical analysis and connections between the arts and everyday life will be included as an important aspect of reflecting on student work and developing personal insight. This course is designed for students that have successfully completed the prerequisite: Drawing and Painting I.

Drawing and Printmaking

This intermediate level course builds on concepts learned in Drawing and Painting I. The focus of this course is the development of more advanced drawing skills coupled with the introduction of printmaking processes. An emphasis on the basic Elements of Art and the Principles of Design will be included. Printmaking techniques such as silk screening, etching, linoleum, relief process, and other printing forms will be explored. Study of works from various artists and art history will be included as will critical analysis and making connections between the arts and everyday life. This course is designed for students that have successfully completed the prerequisite: Drawing and Painting I.   

Sculpture I

In this introductory art course, students will explore the concept of three dimensional artwork using a wide variety of media. Students will learn about sculpture in the round and relief sculpture.  Student projects will utilize additive, subtractive, and metamorphic (transformative) methods.  Students will be introduced to art creation and art history as it relates to the vast world of sculpture. Students will use media such as wood, wire, cardboard, plaster, paper, clay, tile, found objects, and more to create their own sculptural works. The principles of three-dimensional design and color theory will be considered as the students create a variety of expressive and personal three dimensional works. Critical analysis will be included as an important aspect of reflecting on student work. This course is a prerequisite for other visual arts courses.

Sculpture and Ceramics II 

This intermediate level course builds upon concepts learned in Sculpture I and introduces students to the wide world of ceramics. This course will explore a broad range of techniques and approaches to creating three-dimensional works based on the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Ceramics entails the use of clay in a variety of hand-building techniques and throwing on the wheel. Refinement of basics and development of more advanced skills will be a focal point in this course. Study of works from various artists and art history will be included as will critical analysis and making connections between the arts and everyday life. This course is designed for students that have successfully completed the prerequisite: Sculpture I. 

Performing Art Course Descriptions 

CONCERT/MARCHING BAND:  

This full year course is offered to those students who are looking for a more advanced experience in the band program.  During 1st quarter, the band performs at all home football games and other marching band events.  During the remainder of the year, the concert band performs on many other occasions including the Winter Concert, Band Festival, and the Spring Concert.  Students are also required to perform at the Memorial Day Parade and graduation at the end of the year.  Students enrolling in this course are expected to attend marching band camp.  This camp usually occurs at the end of July. Members are expected to attend ALL performances stated in the Band Handbook distributed at the beginning of the year.

CHOIR:  

This full year course will be divided between singing and the study of music theory, aural perception, and the development of sight singing skills. Prospective students must have a willingness to sing all styles of music.  Students enrolled in choir are required to participate in evening concerts. This course will fulfill one year of fine arts credit. 7th or 8th grade students interested should contact Mr. Throneberry and decisions will be made on an individual basis.

JAZZ BAND: 

Jazz Band is a full year course designed for the instruction of jazz improvisational studies.  Students will learn to play in small groups, as well as in a “Big Band” setting, depending on instrumentation.  Students who play guitar, bass, or piano are also included in the instrumentation.  A list of performances will be listed in the band handbook and attendance is required at all listed events.  Students do not need to be enrolled in concert band to enroll in this course. 7th or 8th grade students interested should contact Mr. Throneberry and decisions will be made on an individual basis.  Prerequisite:  Must be able to read music to enroll in this course.

GUITAR:

Guitar 1 is a course designed for the student interested in exploring music by learning to play the guitar.  This class is ideal for students who do not read music or have any prior musical experience, as well as current music students who wish to learn a secondary instrument.  This class will cover guitar anatomy, playing techniques, chords, strum patterns, song structure and beginning composition, improvisation, singing while playing and also beginning melodic (solo) strategies.  Students will develop their skills through the study of songs from Rock, Folk, Blues and other genres.  Students should have access to a working guitar and a desire to study and develop this musical skill.

DRAMA:

Drama class for any skill level. Students will learn the fundamentals of acting, vocal and physical techniques as well as how to prepare for a dramatic production. Participation in an evening mystery dinner show is mandatory for all students taking this class. 

Culinary Arts Course Descriptions

INTRODUCTION TO CULINARY ARTS:

Students will learn the basics of food preparation, including kitchen safety and sanitation, basic knife skills, how to read a recipe, recipe conversion, and basic cooking techniques. Emphasis on meal preparation. 

Industrial Arts Course Descriptions

DRAFTING I:  

 This semester course introduces students to basic drafting techniques through the use of drafting tools and transduces them to the world of technical drawing. Students will learn the basics of drafting and learn the process of design.

DRAFTING II:

A continuous study of the techniques used in drafting. Students will design and detail a whole house blueprint and learn about eco friendly building designs and processes.

METALS 

This course will introduce students to the skills of metal fabrication. Students will work in a traditional classroom to learn safety and best practices for the work environment. Students will also work at hands-on shop activities to learn and enhance new skills. Class is designed as a beginning course to help encourage students to pursue further training.

ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING DESIGN:  

It is an activity-based course including: construction technology and scale model house building, building and testing a roofing truss, structural testing, designing a communication tower, ecological produce design, and tolerances and fits.

HOME AND AUTO MAINTENANCE:

Students will be introduced to general maintenance of home and auto repair. Topics covered include (Home) blueprint reading, shingling, siding, rafter layout, dry walling, basic electrical layouts, (Auto) fluid changes, tire rotation, brake repair, minor parts replacement, budgeting repairs. 

ADVANCED WOODWORKING:

Students will be able to apply knowledge learned in Woods I and II and work on more detailed projects that require more advanced use of tools and supplies.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN:

For students who have completed Drafting I and II. Students will learn the history of architecture and learn how to draft out floor plans, select elevation and work on foundation design. We will learn about the various careers in drafting and design.

AGRICULTURAL AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPAIR:

Course is a Junior/Senior level course where students will learn about maintenance and repair of hydraulic and mechanical aspects of machinery. Students will work at restoring a vintage tractor to be entered into the national FFA contest.

Business Course Descriptions

ACCOUNTING:  

This  course covers all aspects of the simple accounting cycle and expands into journals, ledgers, data processing (on computers), payroll systems, sales tax, and partnerships. Realistic projects are used throughout the year to simulate actual on-the-job activities.  This class has a strong practical math concentration.  Accounting will count as a senior year math class.

BASIC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

This semester class includes an overview of computer terminology and basic Windows skills; a typing unit that will focus on correct skills and accuracy; a career exploration unit; a personal finance unit; and an introduction to HTML.  In these units, business communication, management, and math computation will be included.  Students will learn the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel.   Practical business applications are emphasized.

PERSONAL FINANCE: 

This course covers the concepts of Personal Finance, including: financial responsibility and decision making, income and careers, paying taxes, basics of insurance, economic principles, spending and credit, saving and investing.  The students will complete a stock market project.  Class format includes hands-on work on the computer. Prerequisite: Basic Business Technology

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS:  

This course covers the concepts of  Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, and Internet Explorer.  Real world examples will be emphasized. Class format includes hands-on work on the computer. Prerequisite: Basic Business Technology  

MARKETING, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MATH:   

This full year course is a real-life experience running the MHS student store, The Dutch Den.  Units on market research, developing a business plan, accounting for profits, promoting the business, and achieving personal success are included in the curriculum.  Time before and after school as well as during evening events is required of all students enrolled in this class to better meet our customer’s needs. Topics also covered are entrepreneurship, business management, and business math.  Real world business applications are emphasized. Marketing will count as a senior level math class. Suggested Prerequisites: Basic Business Technology, Adv. Business Technology, or Accounting

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AND LITERACY:

This senior level course is designed to prepare students for successful entry to the workforce or higher education.  Students will focus on written and oral communication, using technology and many real-world examples. Emphasis is placed on professional aptitudes and attitudes. Students will learn about communicating in a professional environment.  Written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills will be learned.  Students will practice active listening and appropriate communication using technology. This class will count as a senior level English Class.

INTERACTIVE MEDIA/ESPORTS:

This is a project-based course that allows students to view and create digital media through an esports lens. Students will creatively express themselves through hands-on experiences with digital graphics, print media, computer animation, audio production, video production, web design and other newly-emerging forms of digital media. Using industry standard tools and techniques, students will create digital media projects while learning to facilitate meetings, serve as team leaders,manage project timelines, give and receive constructive criticism, and produce professional products. 

Social Studies Elective Course Descriptions

PSYCHOLOGY: . 5 Credit

This is a course presenting a brief history of psychology including personality theories, memory, creativity, dreams, intelligence and learning.  Students enrolled should be prepared to involve themselves in a high degree of class participation. This class is recommended for 10th - 12th grades. 

SOCIOLOGY: .5 Credit

Sociology is about people – how they act, interact and react with others. This course is designed to help students better understand their place in the groups to which they belong and the function, influence and interaction of groups that form institutions, neighborhoods and societies. Sociology  investigates human society, social relations, organization and change. Emphasis is placed on the study of such issues as delinquency, poverty and changing family patterns. Students use surveys, case studies, experiments and interviews. Sociology  is a one-semester elective and carries one-half unit of credit. 

CURRENT EVENTS: .5 Credit

Using current events, this elective course focuses on world and local issues that affect students’ everyday lives, such as economics, government and conflict. This course uses newspapers, online media, cartoons, and newscasts to support class discussion. Additionally students participate in group projects, presentations and work with primary source materials and opinion pieces in order to better understand the world around them. 

English Elective Course Descriptions

YEARBOOK/JOURNALISM 1.0 Credit:

In this course students will gain skills in one or more of the following areas: page design, advanced publishing techniques, copywriting, editing and photography while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. There is an emphasis on journalism skills in this class! Participants gain useful, real world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles. 

CREATIVE WRITING .5 Credit:

This course will focus on expressive writing in many different forms. Students will have the opportunity to explore several different types of poetry and prose styles, as well as responding to literature, art mediums, quotes, and music. Originality and writing that shows thought will be emphasized. Strategies to avoid writer’s block and new ways to uncover ideas for writing will be studied. Peer reviews and sharing ideas are essential elements to this course. 

YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE .5 Credit:

This elective course is designed to (re)awaken a love for reading within you -- or at the least create an appreciation of literature -- while also making you think critically about the relevant issues of today. We will be delving into the world of young adult literature--text written specifically for people your age! This genre is broad and encompasses a lot, so we will cover as much as we can in a semester.. Each unit we cover will revolve around a large theme in addition to the study of character development, symbolism, conflict, irony, setting, style, authorial intention and more.