Comprehensive (Fine) Arts
- Grade Level 6
- Grade Level 7
- Grade Level 8
- International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Arts Subject Group Courses
- Western Heights Middle School Arts: Scape Avenue B Magnet Program
Grade Level 6
ART 6
606/606SM Grade Level 6
Students study fundamental visual art elements (e.g., color, line, shape, etc.) and principles of design (e.g., balance, rhythm, contrast, etc.). Students survey art history and appreciation, demonstrate basic skills (e.g., drawing) and conceptual experiences, as well as use a wide variety of techniques and materials. Evaluation (critique/grading) of student works are teacher-directed with participation from students. Students improve their artwork and are held accountable for the respect of materials and other students in the class.
BAND 6
636/636SM Grade Level 6
Students learn to produce a characteristic sound on their instrument and perform as a part of an ensemble. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of band literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Band is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
ORCHESTRA 6
646/646SM Grade Level 6
Students learn to produce a characteristic sound on their instrument and perform as a part of a string ensemble. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of orchestra literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Orchestra is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
GENERAL MUSIC 6
616/616SM Grade Level 6
Students learn the basic elements of music with emphasis on developing critical listening skills and gaining an understanding of music’s role as part of the wider context of history and culture through time. Listening materials are drawn from a wide variety of sources including classical music, non-Western music, American popular music and the American folk music tradition.
ADVANCED DANCE 6
676ADV Grade Level 6
Students learn the advanced techniques associated with the American dance disciplines of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz and hip hop. Each unit culminates in student created choreography, which combines advanced technique and history associated with each discipline. Students will be placed in this course based on prior studio experience.
BASIC DANCE 6
676 Grade Level 6
Students learn the basic techniques associated with the American dance disciplines of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz and hip hop. Each unit culminates in student created choreography, which combines basic technique and history associated with each discipline.
KEYBOARD/GUITAR 6
662/662SM Grade Level 6
Students learn basic guitar and piano technique. Topics studied include playing single notes of several scales; chords; reading guitar and keyboard notation, lead sheets, and standard notation; and students will learn a variety of guitar and piano styles encompassing both classical and modern performance techniques. The class will take a student from a complete beginner to an early intermediate player.
PERFORMING ARTS
656/656SM Grade Level 6
657/657SM Grade Level 7
658/658SM Grade Level 8
Students demonstrate knowledge of a wide variety of musical topics. Students learn to read rhythms and play them on instruments. They learn the development of classic and modern music history, gain an understanding of musical form, compare and contrast pivotal points in music history and representative musicians. Students develop understandings of careers in music performance, business, and technology.
CHORUS
626/626SM Grade Level 6
627/627SM Grade Level 7
628/628SM Grade Level 8
Students learn to use their vocal instrument to create a characteristic vocal sound. In addition to learning proper vocal production technique, students learn music reading skills, sight-singing skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of choral literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their vocal knowledge and skill level. Chorus is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
Grade Level 7
ART 7
607/607SM Grade Level 7
Students continue to study fundamental visual art elements (e.g., color, line, shape, etc.) and principles of design (e.g., balance, rhythm, contrast, etc.). Students survey new periods of art history and appreciation, demonstrate developing skills (e.g., drawing) and conceptual experiences, as well as use a wide variety of techniques and materials. Evaluation (critique/grading) of student works are teacher-directed with increasing participation from students. Students improve their artwork focusing on refining and evaluating. Students also are held accountable for the respect of materials and other students in the class.
ADVANCED ART
607ADV Grade Level 7
Students expand upon observational drawing skills learned during the previous semester. Students will focus on proportion, composition, shading and form as they explore the use of a variety of art media. Additional focus will be placed on the exploration of the art world through studio habits such as developing craft, envisioning, and understanding art works.
BAND 7
637/637SM Grade Level 7
Students continue the development of a characteristic sound on their instrument as part of an instrumental ensemble experience. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of band literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Band is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
ORCHESTRA 7
647/647SM Grade Level 7
Students continue the development of a characteristic sound on their instrument as part of a string ensemble experience. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of orchestra literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Orchestra is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
GENERAL MUSIC 7
617/617SM Grade Level 7
Students learn the basic elements of music with emphasis on developing critical listening skills and gaining an understanding of music’s role as part of the wider context of history and culture through time. Listening materials are drawn from a wide variety of sources including classical music, non-Western music, American popular music and the American folk music tradition.
ADVANCED DANCE 7
677ADV Grade Level 7
Students learn the advanced techniques associated with the American dance disciplines of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz and hip hop. Each unit culminates in student created choreography, which combines advanced technique and history associated with each discipline. Students will be placed in this course-based performance in the 6th grade year. The technique taught builds upon the 6th grade course.
BASIC DANCE 7
677 Grade Level 7
Students learn the basic techniques associated with the American dance disciplines of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz and hip hop. Each unit culminates in student created choreography, which combines basic technique and history associated with each discipline. All technique will build upon the 6th grade coursework.
KEYBOARD/GUITAR 7
762/762SM Grade Level 7
Students learn basic guitar and piano technique. Topics studied include playing single notes of several scales; chords; reading guitar and keyboard notation, lead sheets, and standard notation; and students will learn a variety of guitar and piano styles encompassing both classical and modern performance techniques. The class will take a student from a complete beginner to an early intermediate player.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
614/614SM Grade Level 7 and 8
Students are introduced to the technology of producing, printing and filing digital images. Students will be introduced to design principles as they apply to Photography. A variety of subjects will be covered including Portraiture, Still Life, Landscape, Action, Abstract and others as time permits. A brief overview of the history of Photography will introduce students to major Artists and trends in Photography.
PERFORMING ARTS
656/656SM Grade Level 6
657/657SM Grade Level 7
658/658SM Grade Level 8
Students demonstrate knowledge of a wide variety of musical topics. Students learn to read rhythms and play them on instruments. They learn the development of classic and modern music history, gain an understanding of musical form, compare and contrast pivotal points in music history and representative musicians. Students develop understandings of careers in music performance, business, and technology.
CHORUS
626/626SM Grade Level 6
627/627SM Grade Level 7
628/628SM Grade Level 8
Students learn to use their vocal instrument to create a characteristic vocal sound. In addition to learning proper vocal production technique, students learn music reading skills, sight-singing skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of choral literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their vocal knowledge and skill level. Chorus is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
Grade Level 8
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
614/614SM Grade Level 7 and 8
Students are introduced to the technology of producing, printing and filing digital images. Students will be introduced to design principles as they apply to Photography. A variety of subjects will be covered including Portraiture, Still Life, Landscape, Action, Abstract and others as time permits. A brief overview of the history of Photography will introduce students to major Artists and trends in Photography.
ART 8
608/608SM Grade Level 8
Students learn the advanced study of fundamental visual art elements (e.g., color, line, shape, etc.) and principles of design (e.g., balance, rhythm, contrast, etc.). Students survey new periods of art history and appreciation, demonstrate advanced skills (e.g., drawing) and conceptual experiences, as well as use a wide variety of techniques and materials. Evaluation (critique/grading) of student works remain teacher-directed with a continuing shift towards student ownership of the process. Students further refine their artwork and begin to focus on preparing pieces for presentation. Students continue to be held accountable for the respect of materials and other students in the class.
ADVANCED ART
608ADV Grade Level 8
Students expand upon the elements and principles of art with continued exploration of basic art media and techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. This course will consist of a more in-depth study of art history, aesthetics and criticism. Students will develop the ability to talk about their work and the work of others during in classroom critiques.
PRINTMAKING
880/880SM Grade Level 8
Students learn the basic principles and concepts of the relief printmaking processes, etching, and screen printing. Students are introduced to linoleum and progress to more advanced additive, reductive, and color methods of printing. Students will learn to edition prints as well as explore experimentation.
BAND 8
638/638SM Grade Level 8
Students continue the development of a characteristic sound on their instrument as part of an instrumental ensemble experience. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of band literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Band is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
ORCHESTRA 8
648/648SM Grade Level 8
Students continue the development of a characteristic sound on their instrument as part of a string ensemble experience. In addition to learning proper tone production and control, students learn music reading skills, sight-reading skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of orchestra literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. Orchestra is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
GENERAL MUSIC 8
618/618SM Grade Level 8
Students learn the basic elements of music with emphasis on developing critical listening skills and gaining an understanding of music’s role as part of the wider context of history and culture through time. Listening materials are drawn from a wide variety of sources including classical music, non-Western music, American popular music and the American folk music tradition.
DANCE 8
678 Grade Level 8
Students learn the advanced techniques associated with the American dance disciplines of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz and hip hop. Each unit culminates in student created choreography, which combines advanced technique and history associated with each discipline. The technique taught builds upon the 7th grade course. This course is intended for all 8th grade dancers, regardless of past experience.
KEYBOARD/GUITAR 8
862/862SM Grade Level 8
Students learn basic guitar and piano technique. Topics studied include playing single notes of several scales; chords; reading guitar and keyboard notation, lead sheets, and standard notation; and students will learn a variety of guitar and piano styles encompassing both classical and modern performance techniques. The class will take a student from a complete beginner to an early intermediate player.
PERFORMING ARTS
656/656SM Grade Level 6
657/657SM Grade Level 7
658/658SM Grade Level 8
Students demonstrate knowledge of a wide variety of musical topics. Students learn to read rhythms and play them on instruments. They learn the development of classic and modern music history, gain an understanding of musical form, compare and contrast pivotal points in music history and representative musicians. Students develop understandings of careers in music performance, business, and technology.
CHORUS
626/626SM Grade Level 6
627/627SM Grade Level 7
628/628SM Grade Level 8
Students learn to use their vocal instrument to create a characteristic vocal sound. In addition to learning proper vocal production technique, students learn music reading skills, sight-singing skills, and performance/ensemble skills through their interaction with and study of choral literature from various musical time periods and cultures that is developmentally appropriate for their vocal knowledge and skill level. Chorus is a performance-based class and participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is required.
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Arts Subject Group Courses
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME ARTS SUBJECT GROUP COURSES
The following courses are offered only at Northern Middle School. Discover more about the IB MYP at Northern Middle School by reading the Signature Programs Descriptions section. Each of these Grades 6, 7, 8 courses are part of the Arts Subject Group, which includes Visual and Performing Arts. The Arts Subject Group is one of the 8 MYP Subjects in which MYP students must participate. These courses include the content of the foundational courses that are similarly-named on the preceding pages. Additionally, the curriculum includes the following components:
o Key Concepts and Related Concepts, such as Perspective and Composition that are explored over an MYP student’s time in the Programme.
o Global Contexts, such as Orientation in Time & Space and Personal & Cultural Expression.
o Approaches to Learning skills, such as Self-Management and Communication Skills.
o Statements of Inquiry, which allow the students to explore the content and skills through a conceptual lens.
MYP Art
MYP606/MYP606SM Grade Level 6
MYP607/MYP607SM Grade Level 7
MYP608/MYP608SM Grade Level 8
MYP Band
MYP636/MYP636SM Grade Level 6
MYP637/MYP637SM Grade Level 7
MYP638/MYP638SM Grade Level 8
MYP Chorus
MYP626/MYP626SM Grade Level 6
MYP627/MYP627SM Grade Level 7
MYP628/MYP628SM Grade Level 8
MYP Orchestra
MYP646/MYP646SM Grade Level 6
MYP647/MYP647SM Grade Level 7
MYP648/MYP648SM Grade Level 8
MYP Performing Arts
MYP656/MYP656SM Grade Level 6
MYP657/MYP657SM Grade Level 7
MYP658/MYP658SM Grade Level 8
MYP General Music
MYP616/MYP616SM Grade Level 6
MYP617/MYP617SM Grade Level 7
MYP618/MYP618SM Grade Level 8
Western Heights Middle School Arts: Scape Avenue B Magnet Program
WESTERN HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS: SCAPE AVENUE B MAGNET PROGRAM
The following courses are offered only at Western Heights Middle School but other schools can opt in. Discover more about the Avenue B Magnet Program in the Signature Programs Descriptions section.
These courses are designed for students who have demonstrated talent or the potential for exceptional talent in creative and performing arts. Participation in these courses is reserved for students who have been accepted to the Avenue B Magnet Program through the audition/portfolio process.
Magnet Band
636MG Grade Level 6
637MG Grade Level 7
638MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Orchestra
646MG Grade Level 6
647MG Grade Level 7
648MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Chorus
626MG Grade Level 6
627MG Grade Level 7
628MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Creative Writing
130MG Grade Level 6-8
Magnet Dance
676MG Grade Level 6
677MG Grade Level 7
678MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Graphic Design
806MG Grade Level 6
807MG Grade Level 7
808MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Theatre
656MG Grade Level 6
657MG Grade Level 7
658MG Grade Level 8
Magnet Visual Arts
606MG Grade Level 6
607MG Grade Level 7
608MG Grade Level 8