Electives Grades 7 & 8

This introductory Latin class focuses on vocabulary, sentence structure, translation, Latin prayers, and conversational scripts combined with classical history in the style of Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans. Students who complete this course ought to be well-prepared for high school Latin.

The technology elective in Middle School provides the boys an opportunity to explore programming, robotics, 3D modeling/Printing, Digital Design, Video editing while reinforcing necessary life skills. Students will continue to build their skills in Word Processing, digital citizenship, presentation tools, typing and other technology fundamentals that will ensure they are successful in life. Students will be challenged to critically think while exploring Design Thinking strategies while exercise their creativity.

Grades 7 & 8 will have the possibility of two options in music this coming year. All electives will be a year long class, and not able to be repeated (if you take it in seventh grade, you cannot take it again in eighth grade). The classes will be combined with grades 7 & 8 working together. 

MUSIC OPTION 1:
GRADE 7 & 8 VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE

This class would center on singing and the playing of classroom instruments such as the Ukulele and Percussion. The primary focus of the class would be to learn to sing in harmony, as well as continuing to center on group performance technique, learning to sing with a confidence and proper "tone" and vocal health. This class will learn music from several different cultures, many different genres, styles and historically relevant music. This class would prepare you to join the Choir, the Theatre, or a percussion or guitar ensemble when you enter High School. 

MUSIC OPTION 2:
GRADE 7 & 8 MUSICAL THEATRE
MUSICAL THEATRE WILL TAKE TWO FORMS IN THIS PERFORMING ARTS COURSE: 

Semester 1) You will learn the history of American Musical Theatre - Like Jazz, Musical Theatre is unique to America, as it was founded and practiced here prior to becoming a world wide phenomenon. You will learn about its beginnings, and how it grew to become "World Wide."Semester 2)  You will learn the basics of acting, technical theatre, directing and eventually writing musical scenes. This will be the second semester of the course and will be entirely project based. This class would geared for those who enjoy the performing arts, but are not necessarily interested in performing live, or wish to be on stage. It would prepare you to join either a Theatre Class, or a Production at the High School level.

Art classes will expand on student's foundation in understanding and skills in the visual arts while creating two- and three- dimensional art forms in an exploratory manner while developing studio habits.  The Middle School art curriculum will empower students to:

• Develop and apply creative strategies, skills, and habits through artistic practices.
• Apply understanding to a variety of traditional and unfamiliar media.
• Gain and implement procedural knowledge, skill and craftsmanship while exploring an array of media.
• Explore a wide range of perceptions about the meaning and purpose of visual art.
• Establish a broader knowledge and understanding of world history and cultures through art.