Visual and Performing Arts Department
Art 6 (semester)
Grade 6 art introduces students to art materials, creative processes, and vocabulary. Creativity, critical thinking, and communication are strengthened throughout the course. Students review fundamental skills needed for design, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics. Paintings are personalized with a specific view point and color scheme. Design and craft units allow students to experiment with fabric, drawing materials, and the elements of shape and color. Printmaking and sculpture units reference global culture and integrate personal symbols. A ceramics unit teaches students basic hand-building techniques to create a freestanding form.
Information and Communication Technology (semester)
In this course, students use technology in a rigorous, inquiry and project-based learning environment that promotes relevance and engagement. Students acquire knowledge and skill sets connected the Grade 6 content areas involving the use of application, web-based, and multimedia tools. Programming concepts will be applied to the development of games, educational simulations, and robotic products. The application of computer aided drafting and design software will be used to communicate 3-D designs. Students will acquire web skills and digital art concepts to create a portfolio. The completion of this course prepares students to follow middle school pathways that lead to high school credit courses in Grade 8. Course outcomes are based on the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Grade Pre-K through Grade 8 and the Maryland State Department of education Voluntary Curriculum for technology education.
General Music 6 (semester)
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 signing, performing on instruments, and creating music. The course should be offered and available to all students, including those enrolled in Chorus.
Lights, Camera, Literacy ( semester)
This course increases literacy in both written and visual text, improves collaboration skills, builds confidence and motivation, and provides opportunities for high-level thinking via specific strategies. Students transfer their skills as viewers of film to skills on the written page, as well as learn how to read visual text and create effective visual communications. The course focuses on all three areas of the MCPS Moving Image Education—integrating, deconstructing, and creating the moving image. Students transfer reading skills such as inference from screen to script page to book. They use critical-thinking skills and explore new vocabulary in the areas of lexicography, chess, and film. Students deconstruct information at the literary, dramatic, and cinematic levels. Throughout the course, students reflect on their learning through student-to- student discourse and journal writing. They work collaboratively to apply the various skills and use technology to produce an authentic product—a short film.
Chorus (full year)
Chorus is offered to students in Grades 6–8 who want to sing and develop their individual and ensemble vocal skills. Chorus is available during the school day to all students, including those enrolled in World Beat Music (Grade 6) or Music Investigations (Grades 7 and 8). Enrollment is open to all students, but an audition may be required for participation in the school’s most advanced choral group. Mastery of breath control, vocal production, diction, intonation, tone blending, singing in harmony, and music-reading proficiency (including sight-singing) are emphasized. Music selected for study and performance is aligned with the content standards for each grade.
Concerts are the culmination of many hours of hard work and provide opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills outlined in the content standards. They are performance assessments that communicate the measure of success in meeting course objectives to both students and parents. Determining whether students can apply this learning in a public performance is authentic to the real world of music performance. Therefore, participation in all concerts is highly encouraged.
Grade 6 Intermediate Band (full year)
Students refine skills and develop more advanced performance techniques. 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. 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 be able to attend live performances and perform in public.
Grade 6 Intermediate Orchestra (full year)
Students refine skills learned in Beginning Orchestra and develop more advanced performance techniques. 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 an 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 be able to attend live performances and perform in public.
Art 7 (semester )
Students in Grade 7 expand on their knowledge of materials and techniques. Students also use their own personal reactions and responses as a focus in their artwork. Creativity, innovation, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration continue to be developed throughout the course. Grade 7 units include design, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, collage. Design, printmaking, and collage units require students to express personal identity, make aesthetic choices, and initiate social action. Drawing and painting units allow students to compare built structures with the natural environment using properties of value and color. Working three dimensionally, students use additive and subtractive techniques to personalize a ceramic coil vessel. Working in relief sculpture, students inventory their interests and illustrate them to convey movement through line and form.
Photography (semester)
Beginning photography will explore general photographic concepts. Digital composition skills are added to photographs and image-editing techniques are practiced. Students will learn to use layers, crop images, apply color and lighting concepts, adjust hue and saturation, and manipulate exposures and special effects. Graphic design, artistic elements, and software skills are taught while producing graphic images.
General Music 7 (semester)
General Music 7 helps students develop their personal skill in the use of instruments and music technology as a means of
creative expression.
Computer Art Fundamentals (semester)
This course is a prerequisite for enrolling in Foundations of Art A/B in Grade 8. Students are introduced to the principles of color, texture, and form using a variety of media, including drawing, painting, and digital art. Students will apply the basic principles as they create original pieces in both the traditional and digital formats. Historically significant and contemporary art examples representing a variety of cultures are investigated and represented in the creative-production process. Students will learn to evaluate and critique personal artwork and the artwork of others.
Advanced Band (full year)
Prerequisite: Attainment of outcomes of Intermediate Band. 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 learn the social, cultural, and intellectual influences reflected in the musical works they are studying and discuss performance styles and musical forms of corresponding historical periods. The study of music theory includes performance and recognition of major scales, diatonic and chromatic intervals, and simple melodic dictation. The critical listening skills that are developed as a result of preparation for instrumental performance are used to help the student formulate criteria for effectively evaluating his/her own performance as well as the performance of others. Students begin to assume leadership roles within the large performing ensemble. Exploratory experience may be offered in orchestra, jazz ensemble, and solo and ensemble performance. This band or orchestra represents middle schools at public performances.
Advanced Orchestra (full year)
Prerequisite: Attainment of outcomes of Intermediate Orchestra. 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 learn the social, cultural, and intellectual influences reflected in the musical works they are studying and discuss performance styles and musical forms of corresponding historical periods. The study of music theory includes performance and recognition of major scales, diatonic and chromatic intervals, and simple melodic dictation. The critical listening skills that are developed as a result of preparation for instrumental performance are used to help the student formulate criteria for effectively evaluating his/her own performance as well as the performance of others. Students begin to assume leadership roles within the large performing ensemble. Exploratory experience may be offered in orchestra, jazz ensemble, and solo and ensemble performance. This band or orchestra represents middle schools at public performances.
Art 8 (semester)
Students in Grade 8 refine their skills and develop their own artistic style. Students continue to explore the role of artists in the past and their influence on contemporary society. Students improve craftsmanship and refine creative processes through units in design, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and collage. Grade 8 units further student knowledge of art history and techniques using master works as inspiration. Active composition and depth of space are emphasized in drawing. The sculpture unit highlights an artist’s style, and a ceramic project is designed to represent a specific art movement from the past. A linoleum print using cultural symbols and a collage expressing individual experience communicate visual messages. In a design unit, students create an innovative product for today’s world. Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration are further refined throughout the course.
Specialty Art (semester)
Students use the computer as a tool to create portraits, illustrations, commercial/advertising art, and animations. Students discuss ethical and safety issues in the use of computers as an instructional tool. A variety of techniques, processes, and applications are studied.
General Music 8 (semester)
In General Music 8, students will gain further knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of music. Students’ experiences are expanded through contact with a greater variety of music literature.
Foundations of Art A/B (full year)
This advanced-level course is for Grade 8 students who have successfully completed Computer Art Fundamentals. Students enhance their experience working with the principles of color, texture, and form using a variety of media, including drawing, painting, and digital art. Students apply the principles as they create original pieces in both traditional and digital formats. Historically significant and contemporary art examples representing a variety of cultures are investigated and represented in the creative production process. Students continue to evaluate and critique personal artwork and the artwork of others. Successful completion of Computer Art Fundamentals and Foundations of Art result in 1 Fine Arts high school credit.
Concert Band (full year)
This full year course is for all students who want to play a concert band instrument. Emphasis is on the development of advanced music reading and performance skills by learning a diverse repertoire of standard band music and selected studies. Students are required to practice every day and attend all concerts during the year both in school and after school.
Concert Orchestra (full year)
This full year course is for students who want to play violin, viola, cello, and bass. Emphasis is on the development of advanced music reading and performance skills by learning a diverse repertoire of standard string music and selected studies. Students are required to practice every day and attend all concerts during the year, both in school and after school.
Current students and parents may access complete course overviews via Edline.