Woodbury Middle School Course Selection Guide 2017-18
Woodbury Middle School Eric Bergeron, Principal Pamela Sordi, Assistant Principal Dear Parents and Students, At Woodbury Middle School we are looking to enhance program offerings and expand student choice which we feel is important in creating classes that both engage, and excite students about learning. This Course Selection Guide provides a description of classes that students currently in 6 th and 7 th grade will choose from in preparation for the 2017-2018 school year. All students in grades 7& 8 are required to take English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, Social Studies and World Language. In addition, students in grades 6-8 are required to take P.E., Health and a Music class (there are two options for Music). P.E., Health and the Music will be full year classes which will follow a three day rotation schedule. Students in grade 6 during the 2016-2017 year have had an exploratory experience in all of the Unified Arts classes. Students currently in grades 6 and 7, will select Unified Arts classes outlined in this guide that best match their personal interests. We ask that you have conversations with your child about which classes they will choose. The PowerSchool portal will be open May 25 th June 2 nd for current 6 th and 7 th grade students and parents to register for course selections for next year. Please follow the instructions outlined below. We are very excited about the course offerings and ask that if you have any questions, to contact us. Sincerely, Eric Bergeron Principal Pam Sordi Assistant Principal 2
Woodbury Middle School Woodbury Middle School is committed to providing a safe and challenging learning environment for our young adolescent students who are changing physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Class selection instructions 1. Parents and students review the Course Selection Guide for class descriptions. 2. Click on the following link PowerSchool or go to: powerschool.ctreg14.org/public and log in to your user account 3. Under NAVIGATION on the left choose CLASS REGISTRATION 4. Follow instructions at the top of the page 5. Please contact your student s school counselor or the assistant principal with any questions about the selection process. Course Selection Process The course selection process will be open for students to choose courses from May 25 th June 2. We strongly encourage parents and students to review the Course Selection Guide and for students to make selections that most interest them. We encourage students to be thoughtful about the courses they select. A schedule will be built and sections will be determined based on the number of requests for each class. 3
Woodbury Middle School Course Selection Unified Arts The following Unified Arts classes will be offered as trimester classes. Students will be scheduled for three trimester Unified Arts (UA) classes per year. We are requesting each student select three courses as first priority and two others as alternate selections in the event classes are not offered or scheduling prohibits placement. Please note we will make every effort to meet student s priority selections but in some cases students may be placed into alternate selections due to availability, class size or scheduling conflicts. *Unified Arts classes are subject to change based on availability and student interest. Innovation Lab Small Ensemble The Innovation Lab is a course where students can explore their own interest in a hands-on, student-centered classroom environment. Students will pursue their interests while gaining technology skills that will help them design, create, build and share their work. Creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and community involvement will be the foundation for the work that students will do in Innovation Lab. Small Ensemble students will have the opportunity to learn and perform solos, duets, and small ensembles (trios, quartets, quintets, etc.). This course is offered to band and orchestra students, as well as to students who play an instrument outside of school (piano, guitar, etc.). Throughout the trimester, there will be multiple opportunities for small ensemble students to perform - for their peers, teachers, at a senior center, and in a recital! Students will learn how to prepare themselves to perform, how to work through performance nerves, how musicians communicate with other musicians when performing, to collaborate with their peers, and how to self-reflect and give effective feedback to others. This class is an ideal option for musicians who enjoy playing their instruments and are looking for additional opportunities to play and perform! Jazz Band Do you enjoy jazz music? Are you interested in learning basic jazz skills? In this class, jazz band students will learn jazz scales, jazz pieces, different styles of jazz, and how to improvise on their instrument. In addition to this, students will learn about various jazz musicians and listen to their music. There will be multiple performance opportunities - for their peers, 4
teachers, at a senior center, and in a recital! This class is offered to band students and to students with 3 or more years of experience playing piano or drum set. Drawing and Painting from Life This is the perfect class for students who enjoy drawing the world around them. During this class you will learn to draw and paint from life by using a series of methods and strategies. You will be exposed to different mediums such as shading pencils, charcoal, watercolors, tempera paint and more. You will be involved with local and national art competitions, and learn how to prepare your work for future art exhibits. 8th grade students who took this course in 7th grade will be exposed to more challenging assignments. 3D Sculpture and Kinetic Art This class ideal for students who love to work with their hands in order to create art. During this course you will be exposed to different methods and strategies to problem solve creative and technical issues. Throughout this course you will be consistently challenged to use materials in concepts in new ways to create innovative pieces of art. You will use a variety of art materials including paper, wire, metal, Claymation, wheel throwing, glass and more to create a series of pieces. 8th grade students who took this course in 7th grade will be exposed to more challenging assignments. Advanced Studio Advanced Studio is for those who want independence and to challenge themselves and are ready for the challenge! The course explores multimedia assignments, community building activities, as well as local and state competitions, that require the completion of a portfolio. This art class is designed for students who are passionate about art and are planning to take art classes in the future. In this class you will have more freedom to explore wheel throwing, glasswork, painting and drawing outdoors, etc. If you are ready to test your skills in art, this is the class for you. Students can take advanced studio once during an academic year, and can be taken during 7th and 8th grade. Engineering and Production Do you like to design things and work with your hands? This is a hands-on project based course where you learn about two dimensional designing process using AutoCAD, a computer assisted design software program. You will learn how to become problem solvers and critical thinkers by learning about some of the key skills commonly used in the field of engineering. The course has an emphasis on 2 dimensional design and fabrication, using tools and machines in the wood lab and possibly a 3-D printer. (8th grade students who were in this class in 7th grade will participate in activities to further the study of Engineering.) 5
Broadcasting Full STEAM Ahead Have you ever dreamed of getting involved in TV broadcasting as a reporter, producer, script writer, or technician? Have you ever wanted to learn more about the dynamics of media? Forget boring public address system announcements in homeroom at WMS you can learn the craft of television reporting of news to your classmates. You will work together with teams of students to create news stories and a variety of other video projects such as music videos, public service announcements (PSA s), silent movies, documentaries, to name just a few. (8th grade students who were in this class in 7th grade will participate in activities to further the study of Broadcasting.) Students will engage in hands-on, minds-on approach to learning about science, technology, engineering, English and math. Students will experience fun and powerful tools of designing and problem solving through investigations in units such as: Manufacturing, a Product, Lighter Than Air Vehicles, Properties of Flight, Discovering Electronics, and Discovering Architecture Defining the Problem, Determining and Defining Criteria, Developing Ideas, Creating Solutions, Testing and Evaluating Exploring Engineering, Agriculture and Related Biotech, Manufacturing and Technology, Food Science and Sustainability, Medical Technologies Design Wellness Students will participate every day in our Wellness program. Each student will rotate through PE, Health and Music classes weekly with school counselor s rotating in on a regular basis delivering a social emotional learning curriculum called Second Steps. These classes are required of all students at Woodbury Middle School students. A team of teachers will work to integrate lessons in physical activity, healthy living, social development and music education that focus on the overall health and well-being of our students. In regards to the music portion of the Wellness Program student will be able to select between participation in one of two music classes: Music Experience or Chorus. Course descriptions can be found below and sections should be made on PowerSchool. 6
Music Experience Students write, perform and respond to a variety of musical genres with opportunities to use instruments and technology for performances. Chorus Students participate in a variety of choral opportunities: individual, small group, whole group and in concerts. World Language Beginning in grade 7 students may choose one of two World Language courses offered. Please choose one language to study while at WMS. Note: Current 7 th grade students should choose the World Language they are currently taking. Spanish 1 Full year Students will be able to hold a basic conversation in Spanish about greetings, describing themselves, and describing the world around them. Students will be able to express desires and what they like to do. Students will be able to understand authentic materials such as a schedule, and a pen-pal letter, and respond through speaking and writing. Evaluation will be based on regular oral and written assessments, classwork, homework and several projects to be given throughout the school year. This course is conducted in both Spanish and English. Successful completion of the two year sequence of Spanish may earn students a credit toward their high school transcript and prepare them for the second year of the language at high school. French 1 Full Year Students will be able to hold a basic conversation in French about greetings, describing themselves, and describing the world around them. Students will be able to express desires and what they like to do. Students will be able to understand authentic materials such as a schedule, and a pen-pal letter, and respond through speaking and writing. Evaluation will be based on regular oral and written assessments, classwork, homework and several projects to be given throughout the school year. This course is conducted in both French and English. Successful completion of the two year sequence of French may earn students a credit toward their high school transcript and prepare them for the second year of the language at high school. 7
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