​

Visual Arts Course Offerings and Descriptions

 

Advanced Placement Studio Art: 2D Design, Course #0109350 (1 credit)

Demonstrate mastery through any two-dimensional medium or process, such as graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting and printmaking. Develop technical skills and familiarize yourself with the functions of visual elements as you create an individual portfolio of work for evaluation at the end of the course.  Learn more at https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-studio-art-2-d-design

​

Advanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing, Course #0104300 (1 credit)

Explore drawing issues including line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, the illusion of depth and mark-making through a variety of means, such as painting, printmaking or mixed media.

Develop technical skills and familiarize yourself with the functions of visual elements as you create an individual portfolio of work for evaluation at the end of the course.  Learn more at https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-studio-art-drawing

 

Ceramics and Pottery, Course #0102300 (1 credit)

This course will explore various approaches to clay construction while applying the elements and principles of design to create three-dimensional form. The course will emphasize hand building methods to include pinch pot, coil, and slab construction.

Students investigate art ceramics and pottery through hands-on application; studying art vocabulary; and investigating functional and nonfunctional form.  Students actively engage in material preparation, object production, decoration, and firing.  Historical and cultural perspectives of the craft are investigated with an emphasis on potential career opportunities in the field.  Specific attention is given to collaborative skills and teamwork in the classroom.  Courses that receive the honors weight are designated with "Honors" in the course title.

 

Drawing I, Course #0104340 (1 credit)

Through application of the Common Core State Standards, students develop basic perceptual, observational, and compositional skills necessary to communicate a range of subject matter with a focus on literacy skills including vocabulary and critical thinking skills.  Students examine symbols, ideas, and concepts using knowledge of drawing media, processes, and techniques, applying critical analysis skills.  Students engage in activities that require them to extend their thinking to draw connections between the visual arts and other subject areas.  Historical and cultural aspects of the arts are emphasized through cooperative learning activities.  Career opportunities in the arts are also investigated.

​

Drawing 2, Course #0104350 (1 credit)

Students develop and refine technical skills and create 2-D compositions with a variety of media in drawing. Student artists sketch, manipulate, and refine the structural elements of art to improve mark-making and/or the organizational principles of design in a composition from observation, research, and/or imagination. Through the critique process, students evaluate and respond to their own work and that of their peers. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials. 

 

Painting I, Course #0104370 (1 credit)

Through application of the Common Core State Standards, students develop basic perceptual, observational, and compositional skills necessary to communicate a range of subject matter with a focus on literacy skills including vocabulary and critical thinking skills.  Students examine symbols, ideas, and concepts using knowledge of painting media, processes, and techniques, applying critical analysis skills.  Students engage in activities that require them to extend their thinking to draw connections between the visual arts and other subject areas.  Historical and cultural aspects of the arts are emphasized through cooperative learning activities.  Career opportunities in the arts are also investigated.

 

Portfolio Development: Two-Dimensional Design, Course #0109320 (1 credit)

Students work in a self-directed environment to develop a portfolio showing a body of their own work that visually explores a particular artistic concern, articulated and supported by a written artist's statement. Artists may work in, but are not limited to, content in drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, traditional photography, digital photography, and/or new media and emerging technologies that demonstrate understanding of design principles as applied to a 2-dimensional surface. Students regularly reflect on aesthetics and art issues individually and as a group, and manipulate the structural elements of art and organizational principles of design to create 2-dimensional works of art that are progressively more innovative and representative of the student's artistic and cognitive growth. In keeping with the rigor expected in an accelerated setting, students' portfolios show personal vision and artistic growth over time, mastery of visual art skills and techniques, and evidence of sophisticated analytical and problem-solving skills based on their structural, historical, and cultural knowledge. Students are self-directed and display readiness for high levels of critical thinking, research, conceptual thinking, and creative risk-taking. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

​

Performing and Practical Arts Course Offerings and Descriptions

​

Acting 1, Course #0400370 (1 credit)

Through improvisation, simple scripted scenes, performance projects, and/or practical application, students learn to identify what makes performances believable and explore the tools used to create, articulate, and execute them. Upon completion of this course, students have a strong foundation for future scene work, script analysis, and play production. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

​

Band 1, Course #1302300 (1 credit)

This is an introductory band class designed to develop skills on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.  Through a systematic approach of proper posture, hand position, and basic production of sound, the student will build an understanding of how to play the instrument of his/her choice in both large ensemble and solo settings.  The Tradition of Excellence Foundations for Superior Performance method book is used as a resource for learning selected excerpts from various well-known songs in order to stress key concepts of both music theory and history.  Once the foundation has been set, students are given sheet music from a variety of genres to perform as the year progresses.  The ensemble performs twice a year.

​

Band 5 Honors, Course #1302340 (1 credit)

This year-long, beginning-level class, designed for students with at least one year of woodwind, brass and/or percussion ensemble experience, promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of music through performance of high-quality wind and percussion literature.  Rehearsals focus on the development of critical listening skill, instrumental and ensemble technique and skills, expanded music literacy and aesthetic awareness culminating in periodic public performances.

 

Chorus 1, Course #1303300 (1 credit)

This is a yearlong course designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop vocal performance skills in ensemble, small group, and solo settings.  Focus is given to the core elements of music theory as they apply to the literature that is performed, as well as the historical and cultural background of various styles of music.  Objectives for this course include learning or enhancing music reading skills, building improvisation skills, and developing proper tone and voice production.  Sightsinging, or performing a piece without prior preparation, is used as a tool to develop further understanding of pitch relationship and intervals as well.  The ensemble performs on campus twice each year and conducts selected performances off campus.

​

Chorus 5 Honors (Show Choir), Course #1303340

This year-long, advanced class is designed for students with previous participation in a high school chorus who have demonstrated a capacity for developing advanced listening/aural skills and advanced knowledge of vocal techniques, musical literacy, and choral performance. Chorus V focuses on development and application of these skills and provides opportunities for aesthetic engagement and making individual musical choices, where appropriate, while preparing a variety of high-quality choral literature.

​

Dance Techniques 1, Course #0300310 (1 credit) (Not being offered in the 17-18 academic year)

Students in this year-long, entry-level course, designed for those having no prior dance instruction, learn foundational skills in two or more dance styles. Their development of fundamental dance technique is enriched and enlivened through study of works by a variety of diverse artists, developing genre-specific movement vocabulary and dance terminology, and building knowledge and skills related to somatic practices, dance composition, analysis of effort and outcomes, dance history and culture, collaborative work, and rehearsal and performance protocols.

​

Keyboard I, Course #1301320 (1 credit)

Students build fundamental piano techniques while learning to read music, acquire and apply knowledge of basic music theory, and explore the role of keyboard music in history and culture. Beginning pianists develop skills in analytical listening and explore musical creativity in the form of basic improvisation and basic composition. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

​