Allied Arts

The Art Department believes that the ability to see, process, and record is an integral part of visual arts education. The arts relate to all aspects of life, from what we see to how we process information. We believe that every person possesses the ability to be creative. Our program builds on natural creativity and provides the resources to expand students’ knowledge and problem solving skills.

Art making is about discovery and exploration. We are so excited for all middle schoolers to have a chance to dive into new materials and find a voice through creation. 

The sixth grade art classes will explore multiple medias throughout the 9 weeks. Students will experience art making with ceramics and watercolor painting, as well as realistic drawing. Students will study the elements of art and understand how to use them in a work of art. Students will also gain knowledge of new artists throughout the quarter.

During this 9-week course, students will focus on improving basic keyboarding skills, gain a better understanding of individual responsibilities when it comes to digital citizenship, and perform the basic functions embedded in Google Applications for Education. Computer programming will be used to enhance each individual’s ability to think critically, expand creativity, and communicate effectively in a collaborative setting. Students will also explore the skills and interests of professions found within the career cluster of information technology. 

Music is a nine-week Allied Arts course for students in sixth grade. In this class, students will use a variety of methods and activities to explore the fundamental building blocks of music: rhythm, melody, and harmony. Students will learn the basics of playing piano and guitar, create original compositions, use technology to arrange music, and listen critically and evaluate the performance of a variety of musical genres.  

During this 9-week course, students will focus on improving critical thinking skills and exploring the engineering and design process via problem based learning activities. Collaborating with others is another 21st century skills that will be emphasized in this course. Students will have the opportunity to learn basic CADD concepts as they design a virtual CO2 dragster that they will be able to race against their classmates in a virtual world, program robots, and design items to resolve a specific problem. Students will explore the skills and interests of professions found within the career cluster of STEM: Engineering.

The Art Department believes that the ability to see, process, and record is an integral part of visual arts education. The arts relate to all aspects of life, from what we see to how we process information. We believe that every person possesses the ability to be creative. Our program builds on natural creativity and provides the resources to expand students’ knowledge and problem solving skills.

Art making is about discovery and exploration. We are so excited for all middle schoolers to have a chance to dive into new materials and find a voice through creation. 

The seventh grade art classes will study realism and sculpture through the mediums of drawing and ceramics, as well as being able to try printmaking. Students will build upon their existing skills and techniques they have previously learned, in addition to learning the principles of art and how to use and identify them in a work of art. Students will also gain exposure to new artists and new art making techniques.

During this 9-week course, students will learn about proper care, maintenance, and safety of power tools found within our fabrication room, will continue to implement the engineering and design process relating to issues regarding architecture and construction, and learn about how technology can be used to design products and prototypes. Activities are designed to enhance each individual’s ability to think critically, expand creativity, and communicate effectively in a collaborative setting. Students will also explore the skills and interests of professions found within the career cluster of architecture and construction.

Students will first be learning about Mental Health. One topic discussed will include personality and how it is developed. Self-esteem is also examined and how to increase it. Students will identify stress and how to use stress management techniques. Students will compare different mental health issues and disorders. The students will learn about different legal and illegal drugs and the problems they cause in the body. The drugs will include: tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and several commonly used illegal drugs.

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of the communications career field. Students will explore the history of mass media with cooperative learning projects. This class facilitates basic level student-led broadcasts/video productions under the guidance of the instructor. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, the history of mass media, terminology, safety, basic equipment, storyboarding, production teams, planning, directing, and editing a production.

During this 9-week course, students will be introduced to skills and content specifically related to careers found within the agricultural science career cluster. Students will continue progression of wood shop tools safety and manipulation to create hands-on design projects to meet specific performance criteria. Students will be given the opportunity to brainstorm, design and execute their own passion projects tied to interests or hobbies of each individual. Students will also explore skills, attributes, and interests of professions found within the career cluster Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. 

The Art Department believes that the ability to see, process, and record is an integral part of visual arts education. The arts relate to all aspects of life, from what we see to how we process information. We believe that every person possesses the ability to be creative. Our program builds on natural creativity and provides the resources to expand students’ knowledge and problem solving skills.

Art making is about discovery and exploration. We are so excited for all middle schoolers to have a chance to dive into new materials and find a voice through creation. 

The eighth grade art classes will focus on expanding their knowledge of painting and sculpture, through ceramics and diverse sculpture media. Students will create an understanding of concept, symbolism, and meaning through art making.

During this 9-week course, students will learn about food preparation, food sanitation, and basic business principles. These topics will be explored using different projects throughout the quarter. Activities are designed to enhance each individual’s ability to think critically, expand creativity, and communicate effectively in a collaborative setting. Students will also explore the skills and interests of professions found within the career cluster of hospitality and tourism.

This course builds on the skills learned in Journalism and Broadcasting I. Students will explore the career field with cooperative learning projects. This class facilitates more sophisticated student-led broadcasts/video productions under the guidance of the instructor. Students will produce a monthly news program, SMS News. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, trade terminology, safety, basic equipment, storyboarding, production teams, planning, directing, and editing.

Study Skills is a course where students learn how to better plan, manage, organize, and complete tasks for any learning environment. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are main strategies discussed and practiced.