Theater I
[AMSA only]
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grades 6-8
Students will gain an understanding of the
following: knowledge of essential theater
vocabulary, objectives of theatrical design-
ers, critical thinking skills as they relate to
theater, the role of actor and director in
theater, effective playwriting, the evolution
of musical theater in America, writing and
performing with puppets, and creating an
original theater piece.
Projects, activities, etc.:
• Oppression Tableau
• Set Design Project
• Native American Readers Theater Plays
• Write an original play
• Puppet Shows
• Social Justice Play
Instructional Focus:
• Small group and individual performances
• Reading and analyzing scripts/monologues
• Examining/viewing other theater artists’
works
• Hands-on creation
• Guided discussions
Theater II
[AMSA only]
[elective, every other day]
Prerequisite/Selection Process: Theater I
Intended Audience: Grades 7-8
Students will gain an understanding of the
following: key components needed for
success in theater arts, steps to the creative
process, using critical response to evaluate
the work of others, various styles and forms
of theater, and participating in the theatrical
process from conception to performance.
Projects, activities, etc.:
• Puppet Performance
• Shakespeare Scene
• Script Analysis
• Artistic Collaboration Project
• Mask Presentation Performance
• Short Play Performance
Instructional Focus:
• Small group and individual performances
• Reading and analyzing scripts/monologues
• Examining/viewing other theater artists’
works
• Hands-on creation
• Guided discussions
Middle School Registration Guide
Theater III
[AMSA only]
[elective, every other day]
Prerequisite/Selection Process: Theater I
and Theater II
Intended Audience: Grades 7-8
Students will gain an understanding of the
following: key components needed for
success in theater arts, steps to the creative
process, using critical response to evaluate
the work of others, various acting styles and
forms of theater, putting the ideas of script
analysis into practice, implementing various
theatrical writing styles, and participating in
the theatrical process from conception to
performance.
Projects, activities, etc.:
• Theater Criticism Reaction
• Shakespeare Performance
• Music Theater Project
• Large Scale Puppet Project
• Writing an Original Monologue Project
• One Act Play Project
Instructional Focus:
• Small group and individual performances
• Reading and analyzing scripts/monologues
• Examining/viewing other theater artists’
works
• Hands-on creation
• Guided discussions
Science Fiction
[JMS only]
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: 7th and 8th grade
students interested in improving reading/
writing, and/or scientific inquiry
Major Outcomes:
In this course students will:
• Examine the genre of science fiction
alongside the non-fiction science that
creates worlds and situations that can’t
happen yet, and might never happen,
but deal with the world we live in today.
• Increase knowledge of history and nature
of science through scientific inquiry.
• Create print and non-print texts for
different audiences and purposes.
• Write effectively using the writing
process (prewriting, drafting, revising,
editing, publishing)
Projects/Activities: Students will examine
versions of science fiction in print and non-
print. Projects include inventing an item to
be used in the future, designing a future
society, researching a current problem in
our world and proposing a solution in a
presentation. Students will create their own
science fiction writing piece. Discussions
and presentations will be used to analyze
science fiction. This course is designed for
those who are already science fiction fans,
as well as, those who want to improve read-
ing and writing skills. There will be opportu-
nities for creative and analytical work.
Through reading, writing, and viewing
science fiction, students will be prepared
to tackle tomorrow’s problems.
Instructional Focus: Students will improve
reading and writing skills in connection with
scientific inquiry. Science fiction writes
about tomorrow, but talks about today and
this course will equip students with knowl-
edge to better understand our world.
Family and Consumer Sciences
[FCS] Courses
Family and Consumer Sciences 7
[required, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 7
Major Outcomes:
• Demonstrate nutrition, wellness and food
preparation practices
• Learn textile construction and how to
care for clothing
• Acquire skills for positive guidance and
caregiving of children
• Develop basic financial literacy skills
• Explore career and education options
• Learn to better communicate within
personal and professional relationships
Projects/Activities: Read and follow recipes,
compare food labels, find daily food recom-
mendations (USDA), access MNCIS to
explore career options, sew a simple project
and compare products. Additional hands-on
activities are integrated throughout the year.
Instructional Focus: Hands-on activities to
enhance learning, teamwork and individual
skill assessment, with an exploratory and
investigative focus.
Family and Consumer Sciences 8
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Focus on food preparation techniques
and kitchen safety.
• Explore nutrition and the USDA guidelines
• Identify the main nutrients and how they
impact health, appearance, and peak
performance
• Enhance sewing skills
• Strengthen teamwork and leadership skills
• Develop an understanding of digital
etiquette (cell phone, social media, etc.)
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