Art Rotations/Electives
The resource teacher for the Electives is Kristi Licare.
Art (Grades 6-8)
Course Description
The purpose of each Studio Arts course is to expose students to the concepts and practices of art through thematic perspectives. Studio Art students will have opportunities to create and express viewpoints through a variety of traditional art forms, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics.
Computer Applications (6-8)
6th Grade Course Description
This sixth-grade course will focus on ethically incorporating technology into student’s daily lives. Students will use the Middle Years Programme Design Cycle to complete a variety of projects that will help the computer become an asset to their education. They will learn the impact of technology on learning and how to be creators of technology, not just consumers. This course gives students opportunities to explore the many digital tools that are available today.
7th Grade Course Description
This seventh-grade course will focus on incorporating technology into students’ daily lives. Students will use the Middle Years Programme Design Cycle to complete a variety of projects that will help the computer become an asset to their education. Students will utilize web-based applications using their Google Apps for Education accounts in order to learn how to conduct research, plan, and present projects effectively. Students will also participate in a unit introducing them to programming using Scratch. They will learn the impact of technology on learning and how to be creators of technology, not just consumers. This course gives students opportunities to explore the many digital tools that are available today.
8th Grade Foundations of Computer Science
This year-long course provides an engaging introduction to computing concepts through a nationally developed curriculum, offered through a unique partnership with Code.org®. The course focuses on the conceptual ideas of computing so that students understand why tools and languages are used to solve problems through a study of human computer interaction, problem solving, web design, programming, data analysis, and robotics. Students who earn a grade of A, B, C, or D, will receive high school credit and may have this grade count toward their high school grade point average.
Photography (8th Grade) - not available currently
Course Description
This course introduces students to a variety of photographic composition techniques. Emphasis is placed on identifying and isolating compositional elements to capture quality photographs. Students will learn about basic aesthetic principles and practical photographic techniques. They will also learn how to use their camera as a creative tool for self-expression through a variety of projects and by utilizing image-editing software to enhance and manipulate their photographs.
Media Production (7th Grade)
Course Description (Beginning Studio)
This seventh-grade course will focus on analyzing and producing a variety of forms of media that students encounter daily and developing an understanding of how it impacts their lives. Students will use the Middle Years Programme Design Cycle to create different types of media projects in order to ignite their curiosity and creativity and allow them to become conscientious and global-minded citizens. Students will learn the steps it takes to develop multiple types of media, both print and digital, from start to finish. Skills will include researching, analyzing, storyboarding, writing, designing, filming, and editing. Some projects may include positive propaganda, magazine covers, stop-motion animation, and video editing. The class requires responsible students capable of working cooperatively and creatively with other students and having a desire to have fun while learning.
TV Studio (8th Grade)
Course Description
Television & Film Production is a hands on course where students experience all the aspects of TV production and film making. Students learn the ins and outs of the main TV and film production roles (Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Actor/Actress) and get a chance to carry each of them out in class. Students work in groups on scripted and story-boarded production exercises (commercials, public service announcements, news shows, comedies, social issue documentaries, etc) designed to build their television and film making skills. In this course students will not only learn camera operations (camera shots & angles) but they will learn how to edit their rough footage using software to add special effects and smooth transitions to produce a well-developed final product. Students screen and reflect on their work both as a class and independently helping them to enhance their next project.
Students will also work to plan, create, and produce Westland’s weekly live morning show. Wake-Up-Westland students will storyboard, create, and use editing software to edit video segments that air on the morning show based on current events in the school and community. They will conduct staff and student interviews to share ideas and opinions of those affiliated with Westland Middle School. Wake-Up-Westland provides an entertaining and educational platform to share the news and highlight the great things happening in our school.
Yearbook (7th and 8th Grade) - not available currently
Course Description
In this yearlong course students will gain real world skills in order to produce the current volume of the school yearbook. Units of study include graphic design elements, journalistic writing, typography, and photography. There is an emphasis on layout and design, as well as editing photographs using the yearbook software and Photoshop in this class. Participants will also gain useful, real world skills in time management, responsibility, marketing, and teamwork.