Kaleidoscope Academy

EIGHTH GRADE
2012-2013 COURSE REGISTRATION FORM

STUDENT ID:

STUDENT FIRST NAME:
STUDENT LAST NAME:
STUDENT MIDDLE INITIAL:
SEX:

PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN(S):
ADDRESS:
CITY:         ZIP:
PHONE:    ()
PHONE:    ()
EMAIL ADDRESS

EIGHTH GRADE SELECTIONS

Students must select courses to equal 2 and a half periods for the year (or five semester classes). Descriptions of your options are below. All semester classes are alternating days for the year. World language is daily for the year and counts as 1.0. Review all choices carefully and then fill in all the blanks.

Fine Arts

Each course counts as 0.5 and can be taken once (alternating days for the year)

Band
Orchestra
Choir
Art
Graphic Art & Design
Dance
Theater/Drama
Jazz Band*
Digital Music Making
Beginning Guitar

*(Must be registered for Band in order to take Jazz Band)

World Languages

World Languages meet daily and counts as a 1.0 course. If you select a world language, please list it in two consecutive blanks.

French
German
Spanish

Other Courses

Course meets on alternating days throughout the year and counts as 0.5

Technology Engineering
Animation & Video Game Design
Family & Consumer Ed.
Personal Fitness
Guided Study

Additional Options

Children receiving extra services listed below are serviced both on team time and outside the team time. If time is needed outside the team time, a child will be scheduled for one period for supportive services. The classes below are typically daily year-long(1.0). Please consult with your current school if unsure of services.

ELL Services
Reading
Special Education (IEP)

Fill in course numbers in the blanks listed below in rank order (A being top choice).   If you want a study hall daily, enter it on two consecutive blanks. Example, you want study hall daily for the year, you would write number 15 for study hall in two blanks (or a world language in two blanks). Every effort will be made to schedule classes listed in blanks A-E. Courses listed in F-G will be considered alternates and used only if necessary.

                         A.
                         B.
                         C.
                         D.
                         E.
                         F.
                         G.

Please enter either PE, Personal Fitness, or Dance as your choice for physical activity class.

Please enter one of the following below as the math course your child is currently taking.

6th Math 7th math 8th Math Algebra Geometry Advance Algebra

If you selected band, please indicate what instrument(s)

EIGHTH GRADE REQUIRED COURSES

The school will assign all the required courses including Communication Arts, Geography, Science, Math, Health, and Physical Education. All course will use technology and theater as primary tools to engage students in the curriculum.

ELECTIVE CHOICES

FINE ARTS

BAND* - Students selecting band have had experience in sixth grade band or have special permission from the middle school band teacher to select band. Band is a performing group requiring students to perform in public at school concerts during the year. Other band experiences may include: jazz band, WSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival, guest conductors and clinicians. Students are expected to practice on their own out of school.

ORCHESTRA* - Students selecting chorus should have an interest and desire to perform in a large group as well as small ensembles. In Chorus, students develop individual vocal techniques, rehearsal and performance skills, and music notation reading abilities. Students perform for the public at school concerts during the year. Other chorus experiences may include small ensembles, participation in WSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival, guest conductors, and clinicians.

CHORUS - Students selecting chorus should have an interest and desire to perform in a large group as well as small ensembles. In Chorus, students develop individual vocal techniques, rehearsal and performance skills, and music notation reading abilities. Students perform for the public at school concerts during the year. Other chorus experiences may include small ensembles, participation in WSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival, guest conductors, and clinicians.

ART - Students will create two and three dimensional works of art in a studio setting which will encourage personal ownership of their learning and production time. Hands-on projects are designed for students who love to make art and may include clay, papier mache, plaster, painting, drawing, and more. Students who like creating, building and exploring the limits of their own projects will love this class.

GRAPHIC ART & DESIGN - Students will explore how basic art elements and principles are used for persuasive purposes. This class will explore a variety of graphic imaging software and learn how current technology is being used in graphic art production and related careers. Students will have fun applying their knowledge and new information while creating original designs.

DANCE - The course alternative for PE will emphasize dance in the context of group structure including line, country, square and Irish Dancing. The fine arts elective dance course will explore dance technique (modern, ballet, jazz) emphasizing the training of individuals.

THEATER/DRAMA - This is a beginning level class focused on building student interest, excitement and security. Units will employ props, skits, improvisation, to develop the students physical, social, thinking, and communication skills; the Whole Child. Students will have the opportunity to build bridges with community theater programs and explore the technical side to productions as well. No previous acting experience is required.

JAZZ BAND - A performance-based course open to students with at least one year of study on their band instrument and an interest to strive for musical excellence. Students will learn to perform in various jazz and big band styles as well as develop their skills as a soloist. Students enrolling in Jazz Band must also register for a traditional band class. The director may approve exceptions for students who play Piano, Guitar, or String Bass and enroll in any school performing ensemble.

DIGITAL MUSIC MAKING - Students will use music software and digital equipment to create meaningful sound through composition and improvisation while enhancing conceptual knowledge of the musical elements. Concepts will be predicated on the western classical tradition, but will extend into more worldly representations of the musical arts.

BEGINNING GUITAR - This class introduces the fundamentals of music and guitar playing to students with little or no experience in music or playing guitar. We hope that students will take what they learn from this class and continue a lifelong desire to play music. Remember, this is a beginning guitar class and is capped at 20 students.

WORLD LANGUAGE*

All World Language choices are taught daily for the school year. Students should take a world language in 7th grade if they want to take a language in 8th grade. Students cannot start a language or change languages in 8th grade.

OTHER COURSES

TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING - The AASD Technology and Engineering curriculum encourages students to express their imagination and creativity through project-based learning and class competitions. This hands-on approach is exciting and fun for all students in 7th and 8th grades. Concepts will include computer applications, video editing, digital graphics, woodworking, robotics and modeling. Students will design, create and produce their own projects. Additional information on the Project Lead the Way curriculum may be found at www.pltw.org.

ANIMATION AND VIDEO GAME DESIGN - Class will introduce students to the fundamental principles of game design and computer animation. Students demonstrate basic programming, design process, locating objects using rectangular coordinates, and unifying art and story.

FAMILY & CONSUMER EDUCATION - This course is designed to give students choices through both computer module based and hands-on activities that are integrated, interactive, and use captivating multimedia presentations. You’ll also experience hands-on, practical coverage of healthy lifestyles to include cooking and nutrition, career pathways, and consumerism.

PERSONAL FITNESS - This class can be taken in addition to regular P.E, giving the students physical activity 5 days a week or in place of traditional P.E. This fitness class will teach the kids the importance of personal well being and the value of leading a healthy lifestyle. The 5 components of fitness (muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and body composition) will be emphasized.

GUIDED STUDY - This is a period for students to complete assigned work whether they need support in good study habits, organization, and help with homework or simply time to do work because of a busy schedule after school.

* Indicates students need to be currently enrolled in a similar course in order to take this course in 8th grade.