Reports, guides, handbooks Middle school registration guide 2019-20 | Page 8

Course Selection ART BUSINESS ED. Art Courses Art 6 [required, every other day] Intended Audience: Grade 6 Major Outcomes: • Develop an understanding of the elements and principles of art. • Focus on world cultures Projects/Activities: Activities may include drawing, clay sculpture, painting, printmak- ing and working with a variety of other materials. Instructional Focus: Instruction includes teacher guided art demonstrations; individual and/or group art projects; and opportunities for reflection and revising artwork. Art 7 [elective, every other day] Intended Audience: Grade 7 Major Outcomes: • Focus on American Art. This class explores using American art and artists as inspiration for their work. • Expand the understanding of the elements and principles of art, with a focus on revision and creation of an artist statement. Projects/Activities: Activities may include working with a variety of materials in sculp- ture, painting, drawing, crafts and design. Instructional Focus: Instruction includes teacher guided art demonstrations; individual and/or group art projects; and opportunities for reflection and revising artwork. Art 8 [elective, every other day] Intended Audience: Grade 8 Major Outcomes: • Explore art as a personal journey. • Explore and expand knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design. • Advance art skills using drawing, sculp- ture and painting with focus on revision. 6 EL ELA Projects/Activities: Activities may include drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, jewelry making and working with a variety of other materials. Student work reflects research, a developed plan, production and self- evaluation. Instructional Focus: Instruction includes ad- vanced teacher guided art demonstrations; individual and/or group art projects; and opportunities for reflection and revising artwork. Business Education Courses Computer Explorations [elective, every other day] Intended Audience: Grade 8 Major Outcomes: • Acquire or improve computer skills in keyboarding, graphics, slideshows, and desktop publishing in order to enhance school assignments and explore computer-based careers. • Become familiar with current computer applications. Instructional Focus: This is a hands-on course in which students engage in a combination of individual and group activities using: Google Earth, iMovies, Garage Band, Comic Life, etc. Emphasis throughout the course is learning and using the ability to share documents via cloud computing by means of the Google Classroom. English Learners [EL] Courses Qualifying English Learners will be placed in an EL English course in place of a main- stream, grade-level ELA course; or an English Language Development (ELD) course in place of a mainstream, grade- level elective course. This placement is based on state and district test scores and teacher recommendation. For more information about the [EL] program, please see the Assistance for Students section in this guide or contact your child’s school. English Language Arts [ELA] Courses Students performing below grade level in reading may be assigned to additional reading support courses. Advanced English Language Arts 6 [full year, two periods] Prerequisite/Selection Process: Test scores, district guidelines and teacher recommendation Intended Audience: Grade 6 students who read and write significantly above grade level Major Outcomes: • Same as ELA 6 with more challenging reading and writing expectations • Additional emphasis on interpretive/ analytical and critical/evaluative reading, writing and discussion Projects/Activities: Writing, independent reading, research Instructional Focus: Teachers will model instructional strategies, and students will participate in guided and independent practice, whole group, small group and independent activities; all students are expected to read independently outside the school day. English Language Arts 6 [full year, two periods] Intended Audience: Grade 6 Major Outcomes: • Read and analyze a variety of literature and informational texts. • Write frequently in a variety of forms, emphasizing compare/contrast, and argumentative techniques. • Develop language skills including vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar/mechanics. • Develop skills in speaking, listening, inquiry, and media literacy. Projects/Activities: Writing assignments, research, and independent reading. Instructional Focus: Teachers will model instructional strategies, and students will participate in guided and independent practice, whole group, small group and independent activities; all students are expected to read independently outside the school day. Middle School Registration Guide