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The following Elective Classes are being offered for the 2007-08 school year.
Click on the class name to visit the teacher's website page.
Course Descriptions:
4-Squared Vocal Ensemble: This is an audition only class. This is a performance based vocal ensemble of 16 singers—8 male and 8 female. Students have the opportunity to learn vocal techniques, performance skills, and choral repertoire. The group studies both classical and popular styles throughout the year as well as engaging in performances at school concerts, festivals, and community functions on a regular basis.
Advanced Drama for non-theatre majors: (not offered in 2006-07) This advanced elective moves beyond the Improv Comedy Elective and combines the technical-theatre aspects to the performance element. The foucs becomes the final performance night which may include some or all of the following: 10 minute plays, one-act plays, monologues, short scenes, and student-written work.
Aesthetics: What is beauty? What defines art? These are both questions explored through Aesthetics. Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy which examines art, beauty, and the senses to find how and why we find appreciation in certain things. This class combines art, history, philosophy, and English into a multi-faceted and enriching humanities course. In this course we will take a close look at multiple traditional art forms, as well as art and beauty in non-traditional contexts. Through lectures, analysis, discussion, and hands-on activities students will broaden their knowledge of how art and beauty influences and shapes our everyday lives.
Beginning Piano and Music Theory: In this 9 weeks repeatable elective open for students in 7th through 12th grade, students will learn the piano step by step through basic keyboard fundamentals. They will learn and identify all the pitches of the Grand Staff, learn and develop music reading and notation skills, perform assigned musical selections and be expected to work independently on theory and piano tasks.
Ceramics I: This is a beginning class structured to introduce students to a variety of hand-building methods including pinching, coiling, slab constructions, low-fire glaze and surface decoration.
Advanced Ceramics: This is an advanced class structured to allow students to explore in depth hand-building and sculptural methods; throwing on the potter’s wheel with an emphasis in developing a series; and continued exploration of glazing and surface decoration.
Chamber Music: (not offered in 2006-07) This is a small ensemble group primarily responsible for the pit music for musicals that the school produces. Students in the class work on various small ensemble projects.
Drawing and Painting (Beginning): Everyone can learn to draw! In the first quarter students will try a variety of drawing techniques including basic measuring, contour, gesture and perspective. Observational drawing from life will be stressed. Art elements of value, line, proportion and texture will be explored through the media of pencil, charcoal and marker. Projects may include portraits, still life and everyday objects. Quarter two will introduce color with simple mixing projects and basic brush techniques. Subject matter may include plants, landscape and repeating pattern.
Drawing and Painting II: Students who have completed the Introduction class can enroll in Level II and pursue either a drawing or painting concentration. Students will work in larger scale and produce finished pieces based on creative problems. Paintings in acrylic on canvas as well as paper supports will explore personal subjects as well as life studies.
Fitness and Weight Training: This class is geared to acquaint students with core strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning. They learn techniques for hand weights, the proper use for weight machines, stretching and they learn about muscle systems. These students have to work hard and they sweat.
Graphic Design/Computer Skills: (not offered in 2006-07) In this course students use computers to create graphic images and animations. Students explore layout and design techniques, color theory principles, multimedia software and web page construction.
History Day: National History Day is not just a day, but every day! This is a year long education program that culminates in a national contest in June. Students in grades 6-12 engage in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students produce dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries and research papers based on research related to an annual theme. These projects are then evaluated at local, state and national competitions.
Introduction to Stagecraft: (not offered in 2006-07) This is a basic stagecraft appreciation course. Students explore the different aspects of stagecraft: lights, costumes, sounds, sets, props, etc. Students learn to design and there is some limited building during the class time.
Improvisational comedy: (not offered in 2006-07) This class focuses on Improvisational Comedy and basic stage acting techniques. This is a performance-based class culminating in an Improv. Night Performance at the end of the semester. Traditionally, this class has been mostly middle school students, although high school students are welcome. This class is for NON theatre majors.
Jazz Link Big Band: This class is a music minor offered by the Instrumental Music Department and is open to all students at the school by audition only. There may be an enrollment cap on the class due to instrumentation. Beginning to intermediate level small and large band jazz and improvisation. You must have had lessons on your instrument prior to acceptance.
Jazz Workshop Orchestra: This class is a music minor offered by the Instrumental Music Department and is open to all students at the school by audition only. There is an enrollment cap on the class due to instrumentation. Intermediate to advanced level mall and large group jazz, improvisation, transcription and composition. This class is only open to those who are excelling in performance on their instruments.
Midi Music: Extensive use of Pro-tools music recording software for the recording and editing of various electronic and live music; also, use of Finale Software as a tool in composition and arranging. Students discuss and debate current and past trends in the philosophy of art and music.
Mythology: (not offered in 2006-07) This class focuses on the origins of mythology and it’s relationship to societal structure and human development. Students learn and read myths from ancient Sumaria, Egypt, Greece and Scandinavia.
Music Theory: Students in this course will study principles of harmony, melody and rhythm. Composition, ear-training and sight-singing will be integrated into the work in this class.
Musical Theatre: This course covers the history of musical theater styles and productions over the past century. Students learn some basic music theory, audition tips, and vocal technique. At the end of the semester, students design, write, and compose their own mini-musical theater production.
Odyssey-Creative Problem Solving: Students will be divided into groups and work on several different problems during the Semester. The class will provide a hands-on experience that will allow students to use their creative problem solving skills and learn to work in a group. Students will begin to develop different problem solving skills and demonstrate that they can work effectively in a group to solve a problem. Outside of school, students may compete as a problem-solving team in a state-sponsored competition.
Photography: (not offered in 2006-07) In this class students learn and utilize the elements of design and composition to elevate student’s photographic experience from taking snapshots to composing works of art. They will learn the technical processes or making and developing black and white images including camera operation and darkroom technique.
Vocal Jazz:
Yearbook: Students in the Yearbook class are entirely responsible for the creation of the DSA annual. This course involves book planning, basic graphic design including Adobe PageMaker and PhotoShop, photography, working with a budget and basic journalism principles. Yearbook is a teamwork-intensive project so students should be prepared to work closely with others.
6th Grade Intro to DSA Theater: The general outcome projected for this class is to guide student learning about various aspects of theater. The class will include, but will not be limited to – history of theater, theater and stage properties and some performance requirment.
6th Grade Semantics: This course is a word study program, which features spelling, grammar, higher level thinking skills as well as cooperative learning. The class moves at an aggressive pace with 60 to 90 new spelling words a week as well as two to three spelling tests a week. Competitive opportunities are available through inter-school, city and state oral and written spelling bees.
6th Grade Study Skills: This course will provide an overview for students in how to organize their academic and artistic coursework. Students will learn about their learning styles and how to advocate for their best learning.
6th Grade Typing: In this class students will work on keyboard skills through a program called Typing Time. Students will also learn about Microsoft word through essay writing and letter writing as well as research skills using the Library, electronic Resources and the Internet.
6th Grade Problem Solving:
6th Grade Spanish Exploration:
6th Grade Movement:
6th Grade Yoga:
6th Grade Music Exploration: (not offered in 2006-07) In this 9 week wheel class, students will develop a basic understanding of the language of music. They will learn and discuss the historical context of music periods with stylistic listening, learn the basics of music reading and notation and perform a variety of rhythms. They will discuss musical instruments and families, sing and listen to songs illustrating form and style. They will explore West African percussion music through listening and explore Native American musical regions through listening. They will also learn the basics of vocal production. Students demonstrating intermediate level music proficiency will be introduced to piano.
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