Nicolas Jr. High 2016 2017 FINE ARTS ART ART 1 1 semester for 7 th /8 th grade students Art I is a beginning to intermediate level course that focuses on design concepts and terminology, and provides technical skills in drawing, color theory, and mixed media. Students will also explore historical traditions in art. This is a one-semester course. ART 2 1 semester for 8 th grade students Prerequisite: B or better in Art 1 or the equivalent. Art 2 is a course for the serious art student, and focuses on the creative process and the business of being an artist. Students will work on a series of pieces developed around a chosen theme. Throughout the process they will develop a dialogue about the work, and write an artist s statement. Students will have opportunities to participate in group shows, contests, and exhibit work in the community. CULINARY ARTS CULINARY ARTS I _ 1 semester for 7 th /8 th grade students This course is a learning experience, which helps students to work cooperatively in the classroom and in cooking labs. Students develop skills in kitchen safety and sanitation, along with the use of proper kitchen equipment. By planning, preparing, and serving simple foods students take pride in their accomplishments and are responsible for specific jobs that demonstrate the beginning of independent living skills. Simple breakfasts, lunches, snacks and one-dish meals are prepared to introduce a variety of cooking methods and the nutritional guidelines of both the "My Plate" and the "Food Guide Pyramid." Curriculum terminology is emphasized in each unit of study. Voluntary donations are encouraged to offset the food cost and to enhance the cooking experience.
Culinary Arts II (**) Yearlong 8 th Grade students Prerequisite: Foods I Culinary Arts 2 will build on the skills learned from Culinary Arts 1. This year long class will allow the students more time in the kitchen preparing dishes they will enjoy for life. Instruction will include cooking across the United States region by region, cup cakes and cookies, competitions, pot lucks and international cuisine. This class prepares them for the high school Culinary Arts program. PERFORMING ARTS-MUSIC BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE BAND No experience necessary open to all students. Learn everything from basic playing techniques, instrument care and assembly, to the more advanced performance skills we will be using in concert. Learn tuba, trombone, French horn, baritone, trumpet, bassoon, bass clarinet, oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone or percussion. Throughout the year we will participate in many field trips, concerts and special events. Some of the upcoming events include winter and spring concerts, USC Trojan Marching Band trip and dinner, and Disneyland. We are very excited about participating in our Disneyland workshops toward the end of the year. Members with strong work habits are also offered the option (but not required) the option of learning and performing on various world drums in our World Percussion Group (regardless of which instruments they play in band). ADVANCED BAND Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning/Intermediate Band, or two years experience, or Instructor approval or audition required. Ability to play in the keys of Bb, Eb, F, & G major. This powerful group works primarily from concert materials supplemented by technical studies and aids. We perform concerts on and off campus. Throughout the year we will participate in many field trips, concerts and special events. Some of the upcoming events include winter and spring concerts, USC Trojan Marching Band trip and dinner, and Page 1
Disneyland. We are very excited about performing in our Disneyland workshops toward the end of the year. We provide many of the larger instruments and percussion equipment. As a bonus, members with good work habits are also offered the option (not requirement) of learning and performing on various drums in our World Percussion Group (regardless of which instruments they play in band). CHOIR 1 This performance-based class is for 7 th and 8 th grade boys and girls with some or no previous singing experience. Students will sing various styles of music from different cultures and different historical periods. They will study musical elements along with vocabulary and theory. Students will compare and contrast musical works to apply their skills in aesthetic valuing and artistic perception. They will perform a varied repertoire of music in at least three different concert settings during the school year, including a show choir performance focusing on musical theatre with choreography and costumes. CHOIR 2 Prerequisite: Audition and teacher approval This performance-based class is an auditioned group for experienced singers only. Instructor approval is required. Auditions will be held at feeder elementary schools for incoming 7 th grade students and at the end of the year for incoming 8 th graders. Please contact the school for an audition appointment if you are a transfer student. Students will use their increased vocabulary for in-depth exploration of the musical elements, music history, and theory. They will practice sight-reading at a more difficult level. Students will continue to apply their skills is aesthetic valuing and artistic perception. They will perform a varied repertoire of music in at least four different concert settings during the school year, as well as perform at a festival and Disneyland s Performing Arts Vocal Workshop. One set of performances will focus on show choir material with choreography and costumes. Students from the advanced choir may choose to audition for a chamber choir that meets once a week after school. DANCE 1 semester for 7 th / 8 th grade students This year- long elective is an introduction to dance technique, vocabulary, flexibility, and choreography. This class will give you the foundational dance skills to gain confidence, skills, and performance ability. Class activities will include daily warm-ups, across-the-floor, dance combinations, and student-based choreography. Page 2
DANCE II (**) (with audition only) Prerequisite: Dance I or Teacher Recommendation This elective is for dancers who have completed Dance 1, or were selected at auditions for immediate start in Dance 2 (instead of Dance 1). This class will build upon dance technique that was learned in Dance 1, as well as explore different styles of dance. Students will have more opportunity to have creative control with self- choreographed pieces. DANCE III(**) (with audition only) Prerequisite: Audition and Participation in Dance Clinic This class is only for those who go through the audition process and are selected as Dance Team members. This class will spend the year mastering dance technique to prepare for competition, assemblies, multiple performances, and high school auditions. Students on the dance team are required to maintain strong grades and behavior in all their classes. Hip- Hop 1: (with audition only) This new and exciting elective will introduce students to the fun world of hip-hop dance. Students will learn about the history of hip-hop dance and begin practicing some historical and current hip-hop dance moves. These iconic moves will be put together in dances that show off your rhythm, style, and hip-hop skills. Theatre Arts I This course will provide students a more in-depth approach to acting, including stage movement, scene work, character development, terminology, rehearsal techniques, and performance analysis. STEM STEM 1 - Design and Modeling (CAD 1) This course provides students with the value of applied engineering. They are introduced to and use the design process to solve real world problems. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to create virtual images of the designs and create a portfolio. (Semester Class) Page 3
STEM 2 - Design and Modeling (CAD 2) This course provides students with the opportunity to use the design process to solve real world problems. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to create virtual images of the designs and create a portfolio. They will be challenged with projects on a larger scale using their foundation from CAD 1. (Semester Class, Must take CAD 1) STEM 3 - Machines and Structures Designed to introduce students into the world of technology and science students learn the effects of technology by applying science concepts such as physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to create and innovate STEM projects. They will be utilizing the Design Process create and build a Green Car using 3D software. STEM 4 - Engineering Design, Prototype and Manufacture Students will use Computer Aided Design programs in order to design and create a 3D model using 3D printers or manufacture final products consisting of a race car, a mousetrap car, a bridge, an airplane and a rocket. Students will be given open ended parameters that allow them to develop final team or individual design solutions based on their own research and creativity. Teams will keep and maintain design logs in order to organize and optimize their thinking processes. STEM 5 - Robotics and Design VEX In this introductory robotics class students will learn about various mechanical gears, gear ratios, speed, torque, and types of movement. They will also learn to build and program robots using ROBOTC. STEM 6 - Advanced Robotics and Design VEX In this course students learn the physics to mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use a robust robotics platform to design, build, and program creative solutions to real world problems and applications. STEM 7 - Applied CODING JAVA coding languages are becoming the core competency of the 21 st century workforce and rapidly becoming the language of the applied sciences, scientific simulations, and data analysis. I n this coding class students use these coding languages, personal creativity and design processes to solve real world problems. STEM 8 - Advanced Applied CODING This advanced coding class provides Nicolas students the opportunity to further develop their skills in Java, Python, and Swift/Objective C coding. Students will continue to focus on solving real Page 4
world problems by leveraging personal creativity and innovation. Students will take the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam and participate in the Congressional APP Challenge, which focuses on Android studies and App development. STEM 9- PLTW Medical Detectives In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems. ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES AVID 7 and 8 _ Grade students Yearlong 7 th and 8 th AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a course designed to help students prepare to enter a four-year college or university. The AVID student is committed to taking college preparatory classes, maintaining a high grade point average, developing leadership skills, participating in community service, and ultimately attaining acceptance at the college or university of his or her choice. Students must apply for admission to this class. PHYSICAL CONDITIONING 1 semester for 7 th /8 th grade students This is a semester long course for 7 th and 8 th grade boys and girls. Students will participate in a variety of exercise modalities, including weight lifting, running and yoga. Proper nutrition, basic athletic training and overall personal health are the basis for the academic component of this class. Small hand weights (2-10 lbs.) are required, as is appropriate clothing on conditioning days. Page 5
LEADERSHIP _ Students have the opportunity to develop their effectiveness as a leader throughout this course. All activities are designed to enhance a student s communication skill, managerial skills, human relations skill, and overall self- awareness. Students will be involved in instrumental school planning, related activities such as spirit days, fundraising, and school beautification. It is the purpose of this class to provide students with opportunities to develop their own style and interpretation of leadership. Yearbook Staff involves the step-by-step digital desktop production of the school yearbook. Design, layout, photography, editing, and advertising are studied in the process. The production of the yearbook will take three full quarters. During the fourth quarter students will do special projects with the guidance and approval of the teacher. Those who are interested must complete the application, which will be available at the information window, during the 4 th quarter of the previous school year. Page 6