First Semester
Seventh Grade Art
The seventh grade Art class is an introduction
to drawing, painting, and sculpture. Students work on the development of art
skills that are both technical and intuitive. In the drawing and painting sections,
students experiment with a variety of media, including pencil, charcoal, oil
pastel, and watercolor. Through the study of everyday objects, students learn
the difference between drawing from perception and drawing from observation.
Proportion, values, and color relationships are key skills. For the sculpture
section, students are inspired by Eastern Woodland Native American traditional
pottery techniques. Hand-built coil and pinch pots are the focus. Students
are assessed according to behavior in class, skill development, and project
completion.
Seventh Grade Music
This course exposes students to some of
the basic elements of music composition. Students clap rhythms using short
and long durations, sing melodies using pitches of the pentatonic scale, and
then sing melodies in rhythm. The students then write their own rhythms, melodies,
and finally, melodies in rhythm, During each class, emphasis is placed on performing
rhythms, melodies and the combination of these elements. The components of
the grade are daily, homework, quizzes and a test.
Eighth Grade Dance
In eighth grade Dance, students work on
the development of strength, flexibility, technique, and basic steps. Two assignments
are given. The first is to research and present a brief biography of a well-known
person in the field of dance. Students choose a name at random from a list
provided by the teacher. The second is to choose accompaniment, create and
perform a short dance piece. Dance grades are based on class work, preparation,
progress, effort and the completion of the assignments.
Eighth Grade Drama
The class develops a practical knowledge
of basic stage directions and body positions and applies them to the staging
of an open-ended scene. The students also learn and apply basic vocal skills
for oral interpretation. The grade is based on class participation, effort,
behavior, and the completion of assignments.
Second Semester
Seventh Grade Self-Science
Students participate in a variety
of discussions and interactive activities to foster emotional, cognitive, and
behavior skill development. The goal is to improve self-awareness, understand
the factors that contribute to decision making, develop personal responsibility
and master conflict resolution strategies. Particular attention is given to
topics which students deem as relevant to their lives. Evaluation is based
on participation and the completion of assignments.
Seventh Grade Dance
Students learn basic technique exercises
and steps. They work on developing body alignment, balance, flexibility, and
strength. Two assignments are given; the first is to find, summarize and present
a news article about Dance; the second is to create and perform a short dance
piece, choosing the music and incorporating phrases taught in class. Dance
grades are based on class work, preparation, progress, effort, and the completion
of the assignments.
Seventh Grade Drama
The class plays charades and discovers
pantomime. The students develop skills in observation, concentration, strengthening
the imagination, and improvisation. The Drama grade is based on class participation,
effort and the completion of all assignments.
Eighth Grade Art
The eighth grade Art class is an introductory
course in two-dimensional design. The lessons focus on pattern, repetition,
contrast, rhythm, movement and balance. Projects include observation drawing
with texture, still life drawing with pattern and various exercises in composition
and design. The course culminates with a unit of relief printmaking. Students
are assessed according to behavior in class, skill development and project
completion.
Eighth Grade Music
The focus of the eighth grade curriculum
is American music. We cover the blues through a project in which pairs or trios
of students learn to play, on the piano, a basic accompaniment pattern, create
a riff (a repetitive melodic fragment), and write a set of lyrics, all based
on the 12-bar blues. A second project involves researching the life of a famous
American musician then making an oral presentation to the class, accompanied
by an informational poster and a recorded excerpt of that musician's work.
Eighth Grade Self-Science
Students participate in a variety
of discussions and interactive activities to foster emotional, cognitive, and
behavior skill development. The goal is to improve self-awareness, understand
the factors that contribute to decision making, develop personal responsibility
and master conflict resolution strategies. Particular attention is given to
topics which students deem as relevant to their lives. Evaluation is based
on participation and the completion of assignments.