A note to 6th Grade...
All 6th graders are required to take Transition to Middle School during their first semester. Transition to Middle School will include guidance through executive functioning skills, digital citizenship along with relevant technology instruction to support core classes, and time allotted for the application of these skills aligned with current course work. For this reason, 6th graders will have one elective choice (Art, Introductory Band, PE) for the first semester. You can look forward to lots more exciting options during second semester!
Art
Available to: 6th, 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester
This course provides activities that foster creative expression, communication through artistic endeavor, and appreciation of culture and heritage. Activities may include those that enable students to refine their technique, increase their artistic vocabulary, express themselves and their world view, make connections to other content areas, develop their own aesthetic, and strengthen their critical abilities. Although typically involving the visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, and the like), these courses may also include other forms of art (ex: dance, music, and theater).
Chinese
Available to: 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Year-long
Chinese 1 is a two year middle school course that introduces students to Chinese language and Chinese culture. The course prepares students to carry on basic conversation in Chinese, read and write simple sentences about familiar topics, and explores how and where Chinese-speaking people live. Close attention will be paid to developing communicative skills which focus on listening comprehension and speaking, as well as written expression. At the conclusion of this course students will:
- Ask and answer questions
- Carry on simple conversations on familiar topics
- Express basic opinions and needs
- Read and write short paragraphs on familiar topics (reading 50 characters, writing 40 words)
- Gain knowledge and understanding of Francophone culture
The Chinese curriculum, guided by a set of rigorously vetted course objectives, spans from basic word recognition to using memorized phrases and familiar vocabulary to talk about oneself and ones surroundings. Course objectives encourage students to talk about themselves, their friends and family, school, food, and hobbies.
This course prepares students for the complexities they will face in college and career through a carefully constructed course of study. It leads students towards gaining a larger global perspective while learning to communicate with different types of people. As a result students are prepared to perform actions like carrying on short conversations in Chinese, reading short paragraphs about a variety of topics in Chinese, and understanding the products and practices of Chinese culture. Through a structured progression of topics, students will gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to become global citizens.
Introductory Band
Available to: 6th, 7th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester OR Year-long
Introductory Band is recommended as a year-long course but can be taken for a semester based on student interest. It is for students who currently play or would like to play traditional woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students gain basic knowledge in ensemble skills, practice habits, personal musicality, and technique. Students in Introductory Band learn appropriate technique, tone, articulation, phrasing and style through engaging in several rehearsal and performance practices of literature from multiple genres and eras. Additionally, students cultivate life-long leadership skills and build foundational musical skills, including music concepts such as basic note reading and tuning from a concert pitch, and knowledge of musical composition, arranging, and improvisation. Students showcase their learning through performances.
Semesters 1-2: Students learn proper playing technique on their chosen instrument through engaging in several rehearsal and performance practices. Proper playing technique may include a focus on posture, diaphragmatic breathing, and tone. Students explore concepts necessary to raise their individual level of musicianship and learn their role as a productive and contributing members of the ensemble. Students are introduced to basic music skills associated with rhythm/note reading and tuning. In addition, students learn the art of rudimentary sight-reading and are introduced to concepts necessary to perform in various styles and repertoire.
Semesters 3-6: Building on skills and knowledge acquired in previous semesters, students increase their level of skill on their chosen instrument, gain a greater knowledge of the musical concepts and deepen their understanding of their role within the ensemble particularly in the development of leadership skills. Students broaden their understanding of styles, genres, and time periods and hone the skills necessary to self-assess their individual musical and technical progress as well as how they are performing in their role within the ensemble.
Introductory Choir
Available to: 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester OR Year-long
Introductory Choir is recommended as a year-long course but can be taken for a semester based on student interest. Students explore the unique qualities of the human voice through ensemble-appropriate choral literature. Students explore the physical attributes of singing, diaphragmatic breathing, healthy vocal and choral technique, and tone through literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles. Students develop basic music skills including rhythm, note reading, and phrasing that are applied to the music presented in class. Students engage in various performance practices while becoming aware of the role they hold within the ensemble.
Semesters 1-2: Students engage in learning about their voice with an introduction to healthy vocal and choral technique, posture, diaphragmatic breathing, and tone and apply this knowledge to music presented in class. Students are introduced to choral literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles appropriate for the ensemble, and a variety of performing practices. Students are introduced to basic music skills associated with rhythm and note reading. Students learn to analyze and evaluate their own and other ensembles performances.
Semesters 3-4: Building on skills and knowledge acquired in previous years, students continue to build their understanding of their voice through practicing breath energy and support, posture, healthy vocal and choral technique, and tone. Students recognize and sing melodic passages using stepwise motion, distinguish between whole and half steps, understand duple vs. triple meter, and apply this knowledge to music presented in class. Students are introduced to choral literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles appropriate for the ensemble, and a variety of performing practices. Students analyze and evaluate the performances of other choirs and solo artists, then use that knowledge to propose goals for the ensemble.
Semesters 5-6: Building on skills and knowledge acquired in previous years, students expand their understanding of their voice through demonstrating a foundational understanding of breath energy and support, posture, healthy vocal and choral technique, and tone, and how to apply this to the music presented in class. Students are introduced to choral literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles appropriate for the ensemble, and a variety of performing practices. Students begin to take on increased leadership responsibilities including but not limited to selecting repertoire and suggesting appropriate music for various performance situations. Students continue to expand their music knowledge in rhythm and note reading, in conjunction with growth in their ensemble skills by beginning to sing with attention to blend among individual sections and balance between parts.
Library TA
Available to: 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester
PE
Available to: 6th, 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester
Physical and Health Education courses provide students with knowledge, experience, and an opportunity to develop skills in a variety of sports or activities (for example, team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities) integrated with instruction in personal health (for example, nutrition, mental health and stress management, drug/alcohol abuse prevention, injury and disease prevention, and first aid) and consumer health issues.
Premier Band
Available to: 7th, 8th
Prerequisite: Introductory Band or equivalent experience.
Duration: Year-long
Premier Band is a year-long course for students who have at least one year of experience on any traditional woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students build upon the skills introduced in Introductory band, including ensemble skills, practice habits, personal musicality, and technique. Students in Premier Band continue to learn appropriate technique, tone, articulation, phrasing and style through engaging in several rehearsal and performance practices of literature from multiple genres and eras. Additionally, students cultivate life-long leadership skills and build foundational musical skills such as increased knowledge of note reading, common major scales, tone production specific to their instrument, and knowledge of musical composition, arranging, and improvisation. Students showcase their learning through school concerts and may perform in regional festivals.
Semesters 1-2: Students build on knowledge of proper playing technique, posture, diaphragmatic breathing, and tone on their chosen instrument through engaging in several rehearsal and performance practices. Students explore concepts necessary to raise their individual level of musicianship and learn their role as a productive and contributing member of the ensemble. Students increase their knowledge and understanding of note reading and learn common major scales appropriate to the ensemble. In addition, students build upon their skills in the art of sight-reading and are introduced to concepts necessary to perform in various style and repertoire appropriate for the ensemble.
Semesters 3-6: Building on skills and knowledge acquired in previous semesters, students increase their level of skill on their chosen instrument, gain a greater knowledge of the musical concepts and deepen their understanding of their role within the ensemble particularly in the development of leadership skills. Students broaden their understanding of styles, genres, and time periods and hone the skills necessary to self-assess their individual musical and technical progress as well as how they are performing in their role within the ensemble.
Transition to Middle School
Available to: 6th (*required)
Duration: Semester
This course is required for 6th graders during first semester only. The course includes guidance through the transition to middle school, executive functioning skills, digital citizenship and relevant technology instruction to support core classes. Students will have some time to ensure they are understanding concepts from core classes and to review their work.
The goal of this course is for students to exit feeling confident, prepared and excited to thrive throughout their middle school experience.
Music Production and Acoustic Rock Band
Available to: 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester
Music Production Workshop:
Are you ready to take your songwriting and music production skills to the next level? In this workshop, you will work with a Mode teaching artist to learn everything you need to know to get started with recording your own music! We’ll cover recording techniques so you can create tracks using your own voice and instruments as well as how to use pre-recorded beats and loops to make an original synthesized song from scratch. You’ll have all the basic skills you need to start creating and recording your own music
Students will have the opportunity to write and record original songs that they can share with friends and family.
Rock Band:
Students will come together using their voices and various instruments to form their very own rock band in this hands-on, collaborative music experience. Together, they will learn the fundamentals of music theory - rhythm, melody, lyrics, and more - and use those tools to rehearse cover songs and begin writing songs of their own! Students will have the opportunity to express themselves through music and work together as a team to perform their favorite songs. All in-class materials will be provided and students will complete the semester with a digital recording of their work. No music experience required.
Social Justice Leadership
Available to: 7th, 8th
Duration: Semester OR Year-long
Social Justice Leadership is an elective course designed to delve deeper into concepts introduced in 7th and 8th grade History. The course content will explore power, privilege, and activism throughout history. Students will explore different kinds of social issues and different forms of social justice activism.
In this course, students will experience project-based learning. They will synthesize and construct knowledge while also honing many communication and leadership skills including researching, creating informational presentations in various mediums (journalism, videography), and presenting their learning to others.
Study Skills
Available to: 7th, 8th
Prerequisites: NONE
Duration: Semester
This course is designed to teach necessary study skills and provide additional support for students. It is designed to teach students how to apply specific techniques in organizational skills, sequencing, note taking, previewing lessons and texts, and studying for tests. Students will learn how to apply these study skills to their coursework, texts and materials. This course provides more intensive, individualized instruction in mathematics, social studies, and/or social skills and aims to support students in their regular program of study.
