Balance of Learning, Understanding and Exploring
Fine Arts
EXPLORING THROUGH STUDIO ARTS
This class is an intermediate foundation of art class. Students participate in art-making experiences that emphasize careful observation, critical thinking, and creative exploration. They are introduced to a variety of media and approaches to making art. Units covered include drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, color relationships, and printmaking. Students also look at historical and contemporary artists to broaden their appreciation and understanding of the visual arts. This art class will provide opportunities for the encouragement of creative thinking, initiative, imagination, and
personal resourcefulness. Students develop their ability to make choices and express opinions through the selection and use of media, techniques, processes, and tools in individual problem solving situations.
URBAN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
The course is a deep dive into the history of Urban and Contemporary Art. Given its “art of today” definition, you may be surprised to hear that contemporary art has a relatively long history. We will trace its evolution by looking at the major movements and important artists that compose its history. Themed units in this class will explore Pop Art, Photorealism, Conceptualism, Minimalism, Performance Art, Installation Art, Earth Art and Street Art. This class will broaden their appreciation and understanding of the visual arts. *Some units may require a digital camera, cell phone, or iPad.
STUDIO ART IMMERSION INTO 3-D ART AND CERAMICS
Students participate in 3D art-making experiences that emphasize careful observation, critical thinking, and creative exploration. They are introduced to a variety of media and approaches to making art. Students will learn about the Science of clay and solve technical and creative issues using clay. Students will learn about the History of sculpture as well as basic hand-building, glazing techniques, and art criticism. Students will gain an understanding of the tools they are using as well as an introduction to multiple mediums and how they can work in tandem with one another. We will be working on establishing their individual creative confidence through multiple projects.
FOLK, OUTSIDER, AND FOUND OBJECT ART
The course examines the perspective and work of the following outsider artists or non–mainstream artists who are self-taught and, therefore not formally trained. For example, Thornton Dial, Sam McMillan, Street Artists, Thornton Dial, and many more as time permits in the semester. Creating work with non-traditional materials, paint, and objects found in the environment are assembled in this type of art to express the artist’s message. This class will broaden their appreciation and understanding of the visual arts.
THEATRE ARTS
This course provides an avenue for artistic expression through the elements of drama and conventions of theatre. Students will work effectively in a group, improving their self-esteem and enhancing communication skills as they continue to build an ensemble. This course provides a learning experience for which student actors will explore imagination through pantomime, movement, improvisation, storytelling, character development, monologues, and scene performances. In addition to theater-specific skills and knowledge, students will expand their knowledge of theatre history. Through in-class performances, individual/group presentations, and artistic practices, students learn to accept constructive criticism, revise personal views to promote creative and critical thinking and develop the ability to appreciate, construct and evaluate live theatre.
ADVANCED THEATRE
This advanced course provides a natural progression into further studies in Theatre. Students will continue to strengthen their acting skills in a variety of theatrical experiences. This course provides opportunities for talented students to fully develop their artistic abilities, instilling in each student a
working knowledge of the theatre arts and a greater appreciation for all theatre, including performing, design, stagecraft, theatre history, dramatic theory, and directing. Emphasis is placed on the development of self-discipline, group participation, research and writing, and time management skills.
MUSICAL THEATRE
In this course, students will be able to explore storytelling through song. The majority of the course involves creating, rehearsing, and performing musical numbers. Students perform solos, duets, trios, and ensemble numbers and direct and choreograph for their classmates. A portion of the course develops musical theatre appreciation as students learn about Broadway history and tradition while watching performances from different musical theatre genres and composers. Students enrolling in Musical Theatre should feel comfortable performing onstage, which is a required component of the
class.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE - GLEE
This course will touch on voice production fundamentals: correct posture, use and control of breath, placement and development of tone, diction (vowels and consonants), and vocal expression. A variety of popular musical styles, including musical theater excerpts, will be studied and performed.
May include special lectures by faculty and guest artists.
DANCE TECHNIQUE
This course will introduce the students to the basic elements of dance performance. This is a course intended for students interested in obtaining and expanding upon, the fundamental skills necessary to perform a variety of dance techniques, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical, among others. The course will involve significant physical study with additional work, including viewing filmed or live works, discussions, performances, lectures, and a few writing projects sprinkled in.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Music Appreciation is a course where students will explore music’s various functionalities in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for all types of music. The course begins by examining basic music literacy and core musical elements such as melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and texture. Throughout the course, students apply their understanding through music composition and focus on music’s various purposes and functions, tracking these categories through historical transformations.
MUSIC APPRECIATION WITH BAND COMPONENT
Music Appreciation is a course where students will explore music’s various functionalities in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for all types of music. This course will be experiential, with students developing an understanding of musical concepts by learning to play a band instrument.
Instruments will be provided.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND (LEVEL 1)
Middle School Band (Level 1) is a full-year course for students in grades 7 and 8 who are beginners or who have limited experience playing a band instrument and who wish to be full-time members of the Maclay Middle School Band. Students will participate in all band performances, including concerts at school and district festivals. Band students are expected to provide their own instruments, which are easily available for rental or purchase from local music stores.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STRINGS (LEVEL I)
Offered: One Semester, Offered Both semesters. This course is open to beginning and returning violin, viola, cello, and bass players with one year
or less of experience. In MS Strings, we will establish all the strings fundamentals: correct playing position and bow hold, music literary, ensemble skills, and home practice techniques. Through daily exercises, games, and performances of a variety of musical styles, we will learn to play beautifully and confidently. Students will have the opportunity to perform together throughout the year at school concerts. MS Strings I is a fantastic stepping stone to future participation in Concert Orchestra.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STRINGS/CONCERT ORCHESTRA (LEVEL 2)
Offered: One Semester, Offered Both semesters, May be repeated. This course is open to string instrument players with at least two years of orchestra
experience/private instruction. Placement in Concert Orchestra is by audition and at the discretion of the director. The Concert Orchestra is one of the advanced performing ensembles at the Maclay School and focuses on taking strings musicians to their next level. Daily technique drills and a broad
variety of musical styles will be used to further advance all aspects of musicianship. Students will perform regularly in school concerts as well as in outreach events for the Tallahassee community. The Maclay Concert Orchestra will have the opportunity to compete in district and state MPA while individuals will be encouraged to audition and participate in district, all-state, and summer orchestra
festivals.
MODERN MUSIC PRODUCTION LEVEL 1
In this course, we will examine the many facets of creating music in a modern setting. Students will learn basic music theory and chord functions. Then we will explore current popular music genres while learning about the technology used to create them. Students will learn basic introductory levels on instruments such as piano and guitar and how to use those instruments to create melodies or Harmonic structures. Students will dive into software used by professional audio engineers and producers and learn to record, edit, and export projects in a Digital Audio Workstation. With knowledge acquired in class, students will be encouraged to collaborate with others to write, edit, and produce musical projects.
MODERN MUSIC PRODUCTION LEVEL 2
In this course, students will continue working in Ableton Live Intro to further their development as fledging music-makers and producers. Enrollees will learn fundamental compositional techniques used in digital music making as well as intermediate-level popular music theory. Students will extend their knowledge of musical layers and forms learned in level 1 to compose full sections of completely original music. The semester will culminate with students writing and producing their own original song.
STEM
ROBOTICS
The course will cover principles of robot design, engineering, troubleshooting, robotic sensors, and computer programming using the Lego Mindstorms Education software. Both a mathematical and an experimental approach are used in solving designed (and sometimes unexpected) problems and challenges. This class will be an open lab environment with hands-on learning, experimentation, and collaboration of ideas. Students will design, build, program, and troubleshoot their robots, utilizing them in a series of project-based activities and competitions – including elements from the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Challenges and a Robo Sumo battle competition/tournament where the creative design component really comes into play.
COMPUTER SCIENCE DISCOVERIES
This is an introductory computer science course with a focus on problem-solving, critical/computational thinking, creative design, and collaboration. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts of Programming, Physical Computing, HTML/CSS, Apps, Animations, and Game creation. Students explore topics of their choosing for a final semester project.
ADVANCED/COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS
This course is focused on preparing students for a variety of Robotic/STEM competitions, including the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Challenge, VEX Robotics Challenge, as well as other competitions or activities that students would like to participate in. Students will work with a variety of Robots and materials, including Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robots, Lego Spike Prime Robots, and Vex Robots. Participating in the competitions is not mandatory to take the course (though it is recommended). The curriculum will be primarily focused on preparing and practicing for the challenges, so the priority will be
given to students that express the desire to be on the Competitive Robotics Team.
STUDENT ASTRONAUT CHALLENGE + STEM
This elective focuses on learning the practical application of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Students will experience real-world problem-solving and will practice collaboration/teamwork. This elective is for students who may want to compete in the Student Astronaut Challenge at Kennedy Space Center in early February. It is also for any students simply wanting to learn more about STEM. All students will learn to perform the pre-flight operation, launch, orbit, and landing of the Space Shuttle Enterprise flight simulator and the operation and responsibilities of the mission control team. Students will learn to calmly deal with in-flight emergencies that must be managed to safely complete their mission. Students will also assist with the lab challenges and contribute to the lab research. Students will prepare for the Design Challenge, which is a physical design challenge to solve a specific space-related issue. Teams will learn real-world presentation skills and present their design, including photographs of their prototype, and will learn the basics of 3D printing and graphic
design. The competing team (usually 6 students) will be selected in December – these students will commit to representing the Maclay Middle School Student Astronaut Challenge Team in February at KSC. After the competition in February, all students will explore a variety of topics, including local STEM
opportunities in and around Tallahassee and the North Florida community. A variety of stimulating opportunities aimed at promoting science and STEM education, plus field trips and hands-on learning, will enhance this elective.
HUMANITIES
MYTHOLOGY
In this class, students will learn about different categories of myths and about the cultures those myths belong to. We will discuss what factors influence a culture's mythology and read and talk about the myths. This is a hands-on, interactive class designed for students who are learning about mythology for the first time as well as for those who are interested in learning more about the subject.
LOGIC & DEBATE
Have you ever seen a commercial that claims “4 out of 5 doctors recommend our product!”? Did you think to ask what kind of doctors were asked? Did they ask medical doctors? PhD in English? Veterinarians? Without that information, you can’t make an informed decision about the claim. Students will learn how to create effective arguments, how to test arguments for validity, and recognize and use persuasion techniques. This a great course for anyone who loves to debate