Art 7/8
The ACS middle school art department focus is to discover and refine talents and skills given to us by our Creator as a way of worship and expressing God’s greatness. Middle school students will be challenged to refine their talents and skills preparing them for more advanced techniques at the high school level. Students will explore sculpture, drawing, painting and clay in this semester course. Works will encourage creativity and refine their knowledge of in the fundamentals of art.
Band 6
The Aurora Christian Sixth Grade Band is a performance course which allows students to begin learning an instrument or continue their instrumental education. Students will develop their music reading skills, tonal quality and technical facility while increasing their range, musical vocabulary and performance abilities. Music theory, listening, and music history are incorporated throughout the year long class. Emphasis in this class is placed on tone quality, intonation and ensemble performance. At home practice is expected on a daily basis. The band performs in the Christmas and Spring Concerts. These dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Instruments must be provided by the student along with Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Book 2 and a one inch binder with a binder pouch. Concert clothes are provided by the students. Reeds, valve oil, slide oil, cork grease and drum sticks must be purchased by the student as outlined in the course syllabus. Pre-requisite: None The course fee for this class is $10.
Band 7/8
The Junior High Band studies a variety of music literature. Students continue to develop good tone, intonation, articulation and style. Work focuses on sight-reading skills, review of the twelve major scales and learning of six minor scales. At home practice is expected on a daily basis. Band performances include the Christmas and Spring Concerts, the ACSI Music Festival and pep band. All required dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Instruments must be provided by the student along with a one inch binder with pencil pouch. Concert attire is provided by the student. Reeds, valve oil, slide oil, cork grease, drum sticks, and mutes must be purchased by the student as outlined in the course syllabus. Pre-requisite: One year in band or director’s approval. The course fee for this class is $10.
Choir 6
Choir is designed to teach basic music skills, including note reading, sight singing, and ear training. It will familiarize the student with a variety of musical styles and literature. Choir will provide a broad experiential base which the student may draw from as he/she continues to enjoy music throughout their middle school years. It is the goal of the choir experience to enable each student to participate in ensemble singing with excellence and to encourage a feeling of self-worth in the student. The Choir performs in the Christmas and Spring Concerts. All concerts and performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Open to grade 6. The course fee for this class is $10.
Choir 7/8
Choir is designed to teach basic music skills, including note reading, music theory, sight singing, and ear training. It will familiarize the student with a variety of musical styles and literature. Choir will provide a broad experiential base which the student may draw from as he/she continues to enjoy music throughout their high school years. It is the goal of the choir experience to enable each student to participate in ensemble singing with excellence and to encourage a feeling of self-worth in the student. Choir performances include the Christmas and Spring Concerts, and the ACSI Music Festival. These dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Open to grades 7, 8. The course fee for this class is $10.
Computers 6
In this semester class, 6th graders will develop their knowledge, understanding and application of Microsoft Word & Power Point 2010. This course integrates MLA formatting, documentation, and research writing. All 6th graders will apply researching and writing skills to create an MLA style 5-paragraph research paper. Students will then adapt this paper into a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class.
MS Computers Rotation
This is a 9-week course in which 7th and 8th grade students grow in their knowledge, understanding and application of Microsoft 2010 Offices. This course integrates MLA formatting, documentation, and basic functioning of data between Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The class concludes with the students displaying their creative abilities to effectively use PowerPoint as a visual aid for class presentations.
MS Global Immersion
This course explores a variety of countries around the world. Students will learn about each country’s food, customs, and culture. This course will include cooking, incorporate STEM projects, and culminate with planning a vacation to another country.
MS History Elective
This course provides an overview of American History from World War I to the present, including exposure to topics such as the Great Depression, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, the 1960’s, the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate, 9/11, and the Iraqi War. This class will examine America's climb into the position of a super power, as well as the reasons for her deterioration as a world leader. Students are expected to participate in weekly current event discussions.
MS Film Studies
This class will introduce students to the history of film, teach them how to analyze the decisions of directors, and educate them on how films are made. They will create storyboards, write scripts, and learn vocabulary specific to filmmaking. Students will also work in groups to create their own film to demonstrate what they learned in the course.
MS Coding
This course introduces students to JavaScript programming. Students will write and run code in the browser, complete interactive activities online, and engage in in-person collaborative exercises with classmates.
MS Bible Art Journaling
This course merges students’ creative gifts with their study of the Bible. Students will have a chance to express what they are learning in God’s word through drawing, painting, and scrapbooking.
MS Animation
Students will use their creative and artistic gifts to explore and use skills necessary for planning and producing two short, animated videos: one drawn and one computer generated. Along the way students will learn to plan out a “story” and use various application technologies to produce their videos.