Art, Music & Drama
The fine arts curriculum at the Middle School level builds on the skills and knowledge students acquired in the Lower School. In addition, students are exposed to new fields of study, including drama. The goal throughout is to challenge students artistically and intellectually, help them become critical and creative thinkers, and develop high standards of artistic excellence as well as an appreciation of artistic integrity.
Visual Arts
Middle School art provides a studio/hands-on approach to visual arts learning. Discrete design elements are connected to students’ personal experiences to teach aesthetic perceptions, historical and cultural developments, and visual art knowledge and skills. When appropriate and possible, class work is integrated into other classes to foster a more intense personal connection to learning. Sixth grade visual art experiences introduce students to responsibilities and expectations of their Middle-School experience. Studies and work expectations are developmentally appropriate.
General Music
In Middle School, the approach to music is a balance of general music unit studies and performance-based activities. During this vocally transitional adolescent period, emphasis is placed on the unique qualities of each individual's voice and how it can best be used, while grade-level units offer a wide range of areas to be explored.
General music units are designed to take students’ prior musical knowledge and apply it to cultural, historical, and societal musical topics. Students continue with listening activities and vocabulary expansion as they describe what they hear and think critically about how it fits within the given topic of study. Voices are developed for the purposes of performance. Due to the emphasis on singing and the skills it requires, students spend time practicing instead of always moving on to new information. Concepts must not only be understood but demonstrated, which requires a certain amount of guided practice or rehearsal.
6th-Grade Strings Program
This is primarily a fourth-year course in string instruction. The emphasis is on learning to play independently as a soloist and cooperatively as an ensemble musician. The group performs a minimum of two times during the year and has numerous other opportunities to play on- and off-campus throughout the year. Practice at home is required.
6th-Grade Drama
This course seeks to help students explore creative expression in a variety of theatrical experiences. Overall goals include building body awareness, enhancing spatial perception, and using body and voice expressively. Since all work in drama is a collective endeavor, working cooperatively towards a creative production is an essential element of this course. Topics may include pantomime, improvisation, movement, and stage design.