2015-2016 Middle School Curriculum Guide Grade 6-8
THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL 2015-16 MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM The Middle School is a special community within the larger community of The Northwest School. It takes into account the uniqueness of early adolescents making the dramatic transition from childhood to young adulthood by providing a safe and supportive environment and a challenging program. Teachers encourage students to take risks and help them develop a sure sense of who they are and what they can accomplish. The academic program is rich, well structured, and inter-disciplinary when appropriate. Students are always involved in two stimulating arts classes and have regular physical activity periods. The advisory program ensures that there is good, open communication between students and teachers, as well as between teachers and parents. Periodically, Middle Schoolers take trips into the larger community to provide balance with classroom experiences and exposure to real community needs. Twice a year, in the fall and spring, students go on three-day expeditions to various places in the Northwest. After three years in the Middle School, our students are ready to take on the more demanding personal and academic challenges found in the Upper School. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM CONSISTS OF: Humanities:
Heather Hall, Mackenzie Dickenson Tamara Bunnell, Julie Kim
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Humanities Humanities and Washington History Humanities
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Math
7 8
Math Algebra
Erica Bergamini, Sue Maul, TBA Sue Maul, Sue Maul Thomas Elliott, Alex Chen, Maria Moses, TBA
Science:
6 7 8
General Science Life Science Earth Science
Erica Bergamini Chris Young Herb Bergamini
Languages:
6 7 8
Spanish Spanish Spanish
David Montero Maria Hernandez Michelle Kowals
Arts:
Two classes at all times (New classes start at the beginnings of Quints 1, 3, and 5)
Physical Education:
One class each quint, with a required variety of physical education activities during the year
Environment:
Participation in the cleaning and maintenance of the school building and grounds, under the supervision of faculty and senior students
Math:
6 7
Jeff Blair, Julie Kim
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6TH GRADE CURRICULUM The sixth grade curriculum is designed to facilitate students’ integration into the Northwest School community and to engage them fully in the process of learning. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that challenges students to grow both socially and academically. We focus on providing appropriate levels of support while encouraging students to become independent, self-aware learners and community members. A weekly study hall staffed by sixth grade advisors helps ease the transition from elementary school to middle school, offering sixth graders opportunities to seek assistance and check in with teachers while also managing their own workload. Students meet weekly in a class called “Connections”, which explores a variety of topics associated with our social and service-learning goals. Student advisors meet weekly, focusing on issues such as individual student growth and development, interpersonal group dynamics within the class, integration of curriculum, and facilitation of service learning.
HUMANITIES Humanities 6 – Heather Hall, Mackenzie Dickenson This course provides an integrated exploration of literature, writing, history, and geography, focusing on aspects of human culture throughout history. Each quint, we take on a new topic of study, and students work both individually and cooperatively in small groups to explore and master new material. Students use technology throughout the year for word processing, research, and projects. We conclude each quint with a culminating project that incorporates students’ knowledge, creativity, and presentation skills. Specific Skills and Topics include: Map Skills Literary Analysis The Writing Process Writing Mechanics and Grammar Creative Writing Note-taking and Research Skills Group Work Presentation Skills
World Geography Elements of Civilization Ancient Civilizations The Hero Cycle Global Issues Personal Narrative Writing Biography/Autobiography
SCIENCE General Science – Erica Bergamini This course explores the world around us through an introduction to the disciplines of physics and chemistry. Students practice the basic skills of “doing science” while studying a variety of thematic units that follow the five-quint schedule. These units may vary depending on interdisciplinary opportunities available at school or in the community. The concepts of both environmental and economic sustainability are woven throughout the curriculum. Students are challenged to design experiments and/or equipment in order to answer their questions about how things work.
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Basic Skills: • Asking a Testable Question • Experimental Design • Safe Laboratory Practices • Accurate Measurement • Research and Reporting • Engineering Design, Implementation, and Problem Solving
Units of Study: • Scientific History • Energy • Work / Power • Atoms & Molecules • Earth’s Natural Cycles • Chemical Reactions • Chemical and Physical Properties • Acids and Bases
MATHEMATICS Math 6 – Erica Bergamini, David Matlock, Sue Maul Math during the 6th grade year at The Northwest School is the beginning of a Pre-Algebra, Pre-Geometry course. There are 3 aspects to the program. 1. The UNITS OF STUDY during the first year include: • Data Organization/Graphing/Data Analysis • Measurement • Number Theory and Relationships • Algebraic Expressions and Equations • Ratios, Proportions, Percent, and Similarity • Probability • Geometry Topics 2. PROBLEM OF THE WEEK- Students practice: • Problem solving strategies • Communicating mathematical thinking • Presenting work in an organized way 3. INDIVIDUALIZED BASIC SKILLS Review, Practice, and/or Enrichment • Decimal and fraction operations • Place value and Powers of 10 • Concepts and application of fractions, decimals, and percent
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MODERN LANGUAGES Spanish 6 – David Montero The program follows the basic principles of communicative language teaching and aims to develop the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The goal is for students to gain a basic level of proficiency so they can communicate ideas in the target language. The class is taught in Spanish. Students meet three times a week and learn basic grammar and vocabulary while learning about the cultures of Spain and Latin-America. In the sixth grade, students are taught how to learn a language, how to study, and how to be a student at The Northwest School. They also develop the skills to be able to share basic personal information about themselves, their family, their school and their classes, both orally and in writing. The sixth grade curriculum covers topics such as greetings, introductions, likes and dislikes, school life, and telling time. It also covers personal pronouns, gender and number agreements of nouns and adjectives, and present tense verb conjugations.
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7TH GRADE CURRICULUM HUMANITIES Humanities 7 and Washington State History – Tamara Bunnell, Julie Kim Seventh grade Humanities focuses on the continued development of reading and writing skills. Students work on both creative and technical writing, while receiving guidance and practice in grammar, vocabulary, and revision skills. Concurrently, students work on reading skills as we learn and examine different elements of literature. The Social Studies component of seventh grade Humanities focuses on the history, geography, culture and economic and political life of the Pacific Northwest. As much as possible, we integrate our studies, using literature and writing to explore our regional history. This includes a study of different cultures, explorations, and migrations in the Northwest. We examine what happens when various racial and ethnic groups begin inhabiting the same space, and we develop a better understanding of these relationships by exploring a variety of perspectives over the centuries. Research skills are also a significant part of the seventh grade Humanities curriculum. Students learn and practice a variety of research skills each quint, including reading for information, synthesizing information from a variety of sources, using databases, and properly citing sources.
MATHEMATICS Math 7 – Sue Maul Math during seventh grade at The Northwest School is the second year of the Pre-Algebra, Pre-Geometry course begun in sixth grade. The program has the same three aspects (see sixth grade description for full details). The UNITS OF STUDY include: • Patterns and generalizing patterns using a variable • Spreadsheets • Signed numbers (positives and negatives) and simplifying algebraic expressions • Matrix addition, subtraction, and multiplication • Transformations of polygons (on the coordinate grid) • Solving equations and inequalities • Translating word problems into algebraic equations • Ratios, Proportions, Percents in relation to algebraic equations • More on angle measurement and geometric properties involving angles and polygons • Geometric properties of lines and other geometric figures
SCIENCE Life Science — Chris Young This course surveys biological sciences. Topics include microbiology, genetics, evolution, and the major systems of the human body, and related systems in plants and other organisms are explored when applicable. Environmental and health-related topics are included as appropriate. Students are guided by the scientific method as they practice safe laboratory techniques and hone their research and reporting skills. Students will work on several group and individual inquiry projects throughout the year. 5
MODERN LANGUAGES Spanish 7 — Maria Hernandez This course is designed to follow the introduction to Spanish that students began in sixth grade. The seventh grade classes are taught in Spanish. Students meet five times a week and continue their study of basic grammatical, lexical, and cultural Spanish material. Each class period is comprised of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Throughout each quint, students engage in themed activities that allow students to be creative and use the language in meaningful ways. Units of study often culminate in individual or group projects. Some of the topics covered are descriptions of personalities and physical traits, family relationships, shopping at the mall, and free-time activities. Students are also encouraged to attend the weekly conversation circles, which offer the chance to practice casual conversation in Spanish with both peers and eighth grade students. Cultural themes, grammatical structures, and vocabulary development are intertwined in the lessons. Knowledge about a variety of Spanish-speaking countries is attained through experiencing traditions and holidays. Textbook used: Gente joven 1 (Difusión: Barcelona, 2013).
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8TH GRADE CURRICULUM HUMANITIES Humanities 8 — Jeff Blair, Julie Kim Eighth grade Humanities integrates World Geography, History, and Literature. The course is designed so that the two subjects add depth and perspective to one another through the use of complementary material. In Quint 1, we introduce and explore themes, issues, and strategies that will be used throughout the year. In Quints 2, 3, and 4, we focus on the history, culture, literature, and geography of different regions of the world. Each quint incorporates writing, research, and current events. We encourage active learning through participation, discussion, self-directed projects, and group exercises. For a change of pace from the regional studies and map work, Quint 5 features a study of the influence of the mass media on American culture and society.
MATHEMATICS Algebra I/Algebra II – Alex Chen, Thomas Elliott, Maria Moses Algebra I: This course will begin the basic understanding and skills of functions, including linear and quadratic functions, with an emphasis on the rule of four: tables, equations, graphs, and words as representations of functions. Students will develop skills in working with solving multi-step equations and systems of equations, as well as the skills associated with polynomials, exponents, radicals, proportions, and rational expressions in algebraic terms. Algebra II: This course extends the work from previous courses in using mathematics to model and understand the world. Students explore linear functions through finding a line of best fit and learning to model and solve a situation with systems of equations. Students have the opportunity to become fluent in operations with polynomials, complex numbers, rational expressions, exponential expressions, and logarithms. Functions of all types are explored through tables, graphs, equations, and their connections to situations in the world. An introduction to probability is also part of the course.
SCIENCE Science 8 — Herb Bergamini The goal of this course is for the student to have a basic understanding of Planet Earth’s systems and characteristics as we understand them today. Topics covered include: history of science, oceanography, the atmosphere, erosion and soil development, plate tectonics, and astronomy. The interaction between humans and these systems is regularly discussed. Emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, cooperating on group projects, development of lab skills and using the scientific method. The text is Earth, What’s Inside, (published by Cengage Learning) with references from past and current periodicals and other texts.
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MODERN LANGUAGES Spanish 8 – Michelle Kowals, David Montero The eighth grade Spanish class is a continuation of the seventh grade Spanish curriculum. The classes are taught primarily in the target language. Students meet five times a week and continue to deepen their Spanish language proficiency. Each lesson targets the four basic skill areas, searching for a balance between speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Throughout each quint, students engage in themed units of study and benefit from the opportunity to use the language in creative and meaningful ways. By the end of the eighth grade year of study, students are able to express themselves on basic topics in the past, present, and future tenses. Students experience cultures from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries through use of authentic materials. Ultimately, students gain an understanding of the true practicality of learning a world language.
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Library Skills Curriculum The goal of our school library program is to ensure that students and faculty are effective users of ideas and information. To that end, the Middle School Library Instructional Program is completely curriculum-based. The Librarians collaborate with Middle School teachers to develop and assess assignments. The Librarians and Ed Tech coordinator work closely to integrate information, digital literacy skills, and digital citizenship awareness into the curriculum. Beginning in sixth grade and continuing through eighth grade, students develop skills in identifying and interpreting information, organizing data, producing research projects, and evaluating their process and final products. Using a wide variety of print and electronic resources, students conduct research in all disciplines—humanities, sciences, languages and the arts. The library also sponsors a Middle School book club for students and a Young at Heart (YAH) book club for faculty to discuss young adult books. Computer Skills Curriculum The overall goals in computer instruction are to help students use computers with ease and confidence and also help students recognize when they can apply specific technology to enhance their learning. Computer skills are thus taught in the context of our content-based curriculum. The Educational Technology Coordinator, Librarians, and Middle School teachers coordinate lessons and projects for the students. New technologies are incorporated into the curriculum when appropriate. By the end of Middle School, our students will: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Know computer operating procedures, terminology, and protocols. Develop basic troubleshooting skills. Learn how to save their documents in multiple locations to prevent data loss. Employ multiple methods of sharing their work online and understand how to use permissions to limit the audience of any work. Use electronic databases. Create and use spreadsheets as a learning tool. Research using technology tools. Apply graphics and presentation tools for projects. Use a variety of multimedia tools in the production and presentation of projects. Be able to use computers independently and cooperatively. Understand the limitations and potential of computer technology. Understand and follow intellectual property rights, procedures for validating information, and computer ethics and etiquette. Understand and use good safety practices to protect equipment and personal information.
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ARTS CURRICULUM DANCE Jump into Dance – Ellie Sandstrom A creative and cultural approach to the world of dance, through a variety of styles. Improvisational games and choreography exercises will help you to embody dance elements such as space, time, energy, and force. You’ll learn steps that are basic to many kinds of dance, and learn to put them together in a variety of dances from around the world. Offered in the 6th grade art block. Dance Performance – Maya Soto Become part of a dance ensemble that performs for the community. Learn choreography and be part of a show, including costumes and props. Dance experience is helpful but not required. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block during Quints 1-2. Modern/Contemporary Dance – Ellie Sandstrom This class will explore the art of Modern and Contemporary Dance. Students will participate in movement expression through technique, improvisation, composition, and performance. They will be introduced to the art of these dance styles. They will increase muscle memory and gain confidence, strength, stamina, and flexibility while opening channels of creativity and self-expression. Offered in the 7/8 art block during Quints 1-2. Hip-Hop Dance– Ellie Sandstrom A fun approach to hip-hop and contemporary dance, including warm-ups, skills practice, and dance choreography. This class is geared towards skilled movers who are interested in improving their dancing, and for those who are interested in performing at the ArtsFest Gala and more. Offered in the 7/8 art block during Quints 3-4. Dance for Musical Theater – Maya Soto The dance scenes in a play or movie can advance the plot, bring a time period to life, or reveal character. In this class, you’ll learn dances from different musicals that serve each of these purposes. You’ll also do some choreography of your own. Excellent training for actors. No prerequisite. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block during Quints 3-4. Dance Improvisation / Composition - Ellie Sandstrom Choreograph your own dances! Within solo and group improvisations, while using the dance elements of space, time, energy and force, you will learn how to collaborate with others to create work. We will explore a wide variety of movement styles and will collectively build a new dance piece. You will have the opportunity to meet local choreographers and find your own personal movement voice. Offered in the 7/8 art block during Quint 5. Breakdancing – Maya Soto A beginner’s approach to breakdancing. Discover your inner B-boy/B-girl while learning the history and elements of this athletic and acrobatic dance form. Class will include warm up, skills practice, free-styling, and more. You will learn top rocks, footwork, power moves, and freezes. You will also have the opportunity to learn from guest artists, including local Seattle B-girls and B-boys. Be prepared to sweat! Offered in the 6/7/8 art block during Quint 5 10
MUSIC Introduction to Strings Fundamentals (6th grade) – Gretchen Yanover In this class, students will learn the essential elements of music through hands-on experience playing stringed instruments. We will play simple songs pizzicato and possibly also with the bow. Students will learn note and rhythm reading, and will gain listening skills vital to playing in an ensemble. This is a two-quint course. Offered in the 6th grade art block. 6th Grade Choir – Dana Sewell The 6th grade choir is available to 6th grade students that already play an instrument. This choir will sing fun songs, in two- parts from a wide variety of styles, eras, and cultures, including a few that the class will choose themselves. Teamwork, participation and positive attitude are emphasized over vocal ability. Offered in the 6th grade art block. Introduction to Jazz Band (6th grade) – Michael Van Bebber In this class, students will learn the essential elements of music through hands-on experience playing various wind instruments and rhythm section instruments. Students will learn note and rhythm reading, and will gain listening skills vital to playing in an ensemble. The instruments that are taught in this class are: trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone, and tenor saxophone. This is a two-quint course. Offered in the 6th grade art block. Middle School Jazz Band – Michael Van Bebber (Full Year) This is a performing ensemble open to wind, brass, and percussion players, and a maximum of two keyboard players. (Keyboard players are encouraged to audition on a wind or percussion instrument as well. A few months of focused study should be enough to be admitted to the class.) Reading, ensemble, and technical skills will be developed. The concentration will be on both classical and jazz styles. The band will perform several times during the year. This is a year-long course. Chamber Ensemble – Gretchen Yanover Chamber Ensemble is open to violinists, violists, cellists and bassists who are playing at an advanced level. Pianists and non-transposing woodwind instruments (flute, oboe, and bassoon) are also welcome to check in with the instructor about enrolling in this class. We will play a wide variety of music, from “classical” to contemporary, including popular songs. There will be at least two evening performances to share our music. Please note that students must schedule an audition appointment for appropriate class placement. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quint 3-4 and 5. String Ensemble – Gretchen Yanover This course is for students who are playing at an intermediate level on violin, viola, cello, and bass. We will continue to develop reading, ensemble, and technical skills while playing a variety of fun music. Pianists and non-transposing woodwind instruments (flute, oboe, and bassoon) are also welcome to check in with the instructor about enrolling in this class. Students who start with 6th grade Intro to Strings at NWS may join this ensemble in Quint 3. Students new to NWS or students who have not previously been in an ensemble should please schedule an appointment to play a short selection for the instructor to determine appropriate class placement. There will be at least two evening performances to share our music. Offered in the 6/7/8 arts block all year. 11
Digital Music in Media – Dana Sewell This course will explore the use of music in all aspects of media, and the effect it has on mood, advertising, and visuals on the big and small screens. Students will use Garage Band (music composition program) to create their own music to match a variety of visual scenarios and finish the class with a CD of all of their creations. This class is offered, with different projects, in the 7/8 arts block during Quints 1-2, and in Quint 5. Middle School Chorus – Dana Sewell The chorus is available to any student who loves to sing! Teamwork, participation, and positive attitude are emphasized over vocal ability. This choir will sing fun songs, in 2-4 parts from a wide variety of styles, eras, and cultures, including a few that the class will choose themselves. Prior music experience is helpful, but not required. Performances will be given in Quint 2, 4 and 5. Singers of all ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join us in chorus! Offered in the 6/7/8 arts block during Quints 1-2, and in Quints 3-4. Middle School Show Choir – Dana Sewell The show choir is available to any student who loves to sing! Teamwork, participation, and positive attitude are emphasized over vocal ability. This choir will sing fun show choir songs in 2-4 parts that the class will choose themselves. We may even do some choreography or movement while we sing. Prior music experience is helpful, but not required. Performances will be given at the end of Quint 5. Singers of all ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join us in show choir! This class is offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5.
THEATRE ARTS 6th Grade Drama – Solomon Davis/Ellen Graham This class will explore foundations of the art of theatre through creative drama, improvisation, and other interdisciplinary arts activities. Students will learn to use their “theatre voice” to express ideas about their identity and their community. This is a nonperformance class. All 6th graders take this class during the year in their 6th grade art block. Improv Theater – Solomon Davis This theatre class focuses on developing spontaneous storytelling, collaboration, creative problem solving, and character development skills. You will learn a lot of super fun, warm-up exercises and performance games. There will be a final presentation at the end of the two quints. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Play Production – Ellen Graham Play Production is an Intermediate Performance class. It is designed for students interested in developing their acting skills through the performance of a play adapted for the group. The fall production focuses on dramatic work and requires discipline and focus. We will work on character histories, objective, movement, and voice. This class also helps prepare students for Advanced Theater. There are a few spots open for students interested in technical theater, such as costuming and stage management. Students wishing to be in a fall performance should sign up for this class and/or Advanced Theater, and must audition in the spring. These 12
are joint-class auditions. Students will be placed in the appropriate class after these auditions. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Advanced Theatre – Laura Ferri (Full Year) An intensive, full-year course designed to strengthen each student’s acting technique while building an ensemble that performs twice a year. Strong concentration and cooperation skills are essential for this class. Stage managers are also needed for this class. Students wishing to be in a fall performance should sign up for either this class and/or Play Production and must audition in the spring. These are joint-class auditions. Students will be placed in the appropriate class after these auditions. This is a year-long course. The Storytellers – Solomon Davis This course will be an opportunity for students to learn the oldest form of theatre: oral storytelling. Funny moments, ghost stories, sad events, or a mix of it all will grace the page and the stage. Students will learn to create their own monologues, or “solo-shows”, leading up to final performance, when they will perform their original stories for their community. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Play Production --Solomon Davis Learn the ins and outs of acting in and producing a play. Be a part of the rehearsal and performance process. Guest speakers from the industry may include designer, directors, stage managers and actors. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Upper Level Improv – Solomon Davis This is an improvisational theatre class for students who have already done improv with Solomon before, and are serious about taking their skills to the next level. We will go into greater depth with characters and stories through short and long-form improvisation. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quint 5 Art of Auditioning – Solomon Davis This exciting class teaches you how to prepare a monologue for theatre auditions. We'll also practice the fine art of cold side readings (aka. audition scripts and scenes). In the end, you will know how to "own" the audition room. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5 Come Play! – Ellen Graham In this class we will work both with scripts from known playwrights and scripts the class writes. Have you ever wanted to tell a story? Have you ever wanted to see your story on the stage? We will work on character development, improvisation, movement, and theater games to bring both sorts of scripts to life. Be prepared to play! Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5
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VISUAL ARTS Art & the Environment – Sandy Nelson This class will explore how the natural environment serves as inspiration for making art. We will look at examples of landscape paintings, sculptures, earthworks, and art installations from many cultures and time periods as we explore connections between art making and nature. Projects we will create include real or imagined landscape drawings and paintings, mixed materials sculpture, printmaking, hand-made artist’s books, and plant illustration. Materials we work with will include paints, recycled materials, coffee, paper mache, wire, printing inks, and pastels. You can learn how to use these materials for the first time or, if you’ve worked with them before, learn new techniques. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Experimental Drawing – Curtis Erlinger Have you ever made a drawing without using a pencil, crayon, or chalk? This drawing class is about using various techniques to create and develop unique drawings. We will consider several experimental materials, including wire, water, ink, light, even food. While we look at experimental practices of contemporary artists for inspiration, students will be encouraged to push the boundaries of conventional drawings and be asked to seek creative solutions in their own work. Students will potentially collaborate on a group drawing project. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Sculpture - Sandy Nelson This class will focus on constructing three-dimensional art forms from a variety of materials, including plaster, wire, wood, and paper. For inspiration, we will look at pictures of sculpture from different artists, cultures, and time periods. We will also study and design strategies for figuring out how to build and combine shapes and structures that stand up and balance. Projects will include a satellite sculpture, architectural sculpture, and a human figure sculpture. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Beginning Ceramics – Randy Silver This exciting ceramics course introduces students to a variety of hand-building techniques and familiarizes them with the many stages of the ceramics process. Assignments are challenging, fun and will encourage creativity and self-expression. Yes, you get to colorfully glaze your artwork and keep what you make! No prior experience necessary. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 1-2. Digital Art Exploration – Wyn Pottinger-Levy Digital art is a fast-growing genre of artistic expression. From Photoshop to Illustrator, we’ll be learning how to create with pixels and vectors. You’ll learn how to navigate the programs, manipulate photos, create collages, draw illustrations, and more. Even if you struggle with pencils and paintbrushes, there’s a cool tool for all that! We’ll look at interesting artwork and make some of our own using the elements of art and principles of design. Learn how to be more artistic and how to create digital artwork from scratch. Bet you’ll love the Liquify filter! Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 1-2.
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Making a Mural – Curtis Erlinger Using our buildings as initial inspiration, students will explore and locate sites throughout The Northwest School campus (both the Haus and 401) to create a potential mural. In small and large groups students will research themes, draw out initial concepts, create blueprint designs, and write proposals in order to make a final product. Materials may include spray and brush paint, stencils, and vinyl wall stickers. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 1 -2. Animation! – Curtis Erlinger We will explore ways to make drawings come to life and tell a story in this animation workshop. Traditional methods of storyboarding and character development will be introduced as well as simple animation techniques – flip books, stop motion, and Victorian toys (Thaumatropes, Phenakistoscopes, Zoetropes) will be explored as ways to make the drawings “move.” We will look at several examples of animation. Students will be encouraged to display their own individual work and potentially collaborate on a group animation project. We will be working on different projects than last year. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Circuitbending – Andy Peterson Students will explore electronics through circuitbending – the process of altering electronic toys to create unique, wacky musical instruments and noisemakers. Beginning with exploratory play, we will dismantle, alter, and combine toys to make interactive art pieces. By examining the internal circuitry, students will begin to decipher how the tiny bits and pieces work, making it possible to tinker and modify. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Design a City – Sandy Nelson What makes a good city? Ways to get around? Schools? Parks? Shopping? Interesting architecture? Recycling? We will look at all of these possibilities as we make art projects inspired by this question. We will make maps, designs, and sculptures of buildings, a sculpture of a transit center, and a collaborative sculptural city model. We will work with charcoal, acrylic and water color paints, markers, cardboard, wire, printmaking inks, and clay, to create the art projects. Students in this class will also learn techniques for using these art materials. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Landscape Art – Sandy Nelson Landscapes are usually art works that portray a view of the natural land. This class will learn techniques and ideas for portraying landscapes in art projects using acrylic and water color paints, collage, plaster, oil pastels, markers, and card board. Students will make a landscape painting of a view they choose, a clay and plaster “landscape post card”, a cardboard sculptural landscape, a collaged recycled paper landscape, a tunnel book of a landscape, and a paper pulp landscape project. We will be inspired by looking at the landscape art of Georgia O’Keefe, Emily Carr, Maya Lin, and other modern and historic landscape artists. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 3 - 4. Life Drawing – Curtis Erlinger Within the basic units of still life, landscape, portraiture, figure drawing, and expressive 15
design, students will sharpen their ability to construct more effective compositions, record proportion and scale, and replicate the effects of light on form. Assignments encourage students to develop a personal vision, to explore limitations, to solve problems, and to find creative solutions. In the process of speaking constructively about their own work and the work of their peers, students will develop a personal voice, utilizing the language of drawing. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 3 - 4. Ceramics – Randy Silver This exciting and challenging ceramics course builds on the foundation of beginning ceramics. We will embark on completely new and different projects that will encourage students to have more involvement in the direction of their work. We will experiment with both “ceramic sculpture” and “functional (useful) pottery”! Additional creativity, innovation and imagination are encouraged. We may integrate new materials into our artwork including a bit of metal, wire and melted glass. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quints 1 - 2, and in the 6/7/8 art block in Quints 3-4. Ceramic Sculpture/ Ceramics is for the BIRDS! – Randy Silver We already know the basics of working with clay. Now, let’s put them to use and start a unique project that is both creative and functional (should a bird choose to nest inside our artwork). Our goal is to construct the most amazing birdhouses the world has ever seen! After looking at the architecture of various dwellings from around the world, we’ll use our knowledge, experience, and understanding of working with clay to adapt and build on those ideas. Will your birdhouse have Romanesque columns? Will it have a palm-frond thatch roof? What would an eco/green birdhouse look like? Do you have a unique vision for your ideal birdhouse? Let’s build it! There will be a second “mystery” project for those who finish their birdhouses early. Prerequisite: at least two quints of previous ceramics courses at The Northwest School, or permission of instructor. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5 Public Art – Curtis Erlinger Using the space around you as the site for discussion and projects, Public Art is about making art in the social sphere. Students experiment with several ways of displaying art, collaborating, and interacting with an audience. Installation and site-specific techniques are introduced to students through the exploration of both traditional and non-traditional media. Specific skills are developed through ongoing exercises in observation, material studies, and manipulation of form and space. We will be working on projects different from last year. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quint 5. Thematic Drawing – Curtis Erlinger Exploring both traditional and unconventional drawing materials, your drawing projects will be based upon several unique topics that we will develop as a class. For the last project, you will develop a theme of your choosing based on your interests. While we look to artists for inspiration, students will be encouraged to push boundaries and seek creative solutions in their work. Students will work in the studio and at home. Drawing will progress from idea to sketch; sketch to sustained drawing; individual drawing to work in a series. Formal, material, and conceptual experimentation is encouraged and necessary. The goal is to develop a devoted practice in drawing. We will be working on projects different from last year. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5. 16
Calligraphy – Sandy Nelson This class will explore art projects and ideas about creating art with writing and letters. Students will learn how to write with the traditional Celtic and Gothic scripts using a special calligraphy pen. Other projects will include a decorative “illuminated” letter, a letter sculpture, and a geometric pattern sculpture created with letters. Students will also learn how to draw letters using one point perspective. Students will work with water color and acrylic paints, wire, cardboard, calligraphy pens, markers, and pastels. The class will look at examples of both modern and traditional calligraphy art from around the world for inspiration. Offered in the 7/8 art block in Quint 5. Art That Moves – Sandy Nelson Every project we create in this class will move in some way. We will work with acrylic and water color paint, paper, cardboard, wood, wire, string, and other materials, and students will learn techniques for using these art materials. We will make flip books, Jacob’s Ladders (a traditional toy), circle spinners, kites, puppets, a pulled string figure, a rolling book, and a paper pop-up as we engineer ways to make the art flip, fly, rotate, or spin. Offered in the 6/7/8 art block in Quint 5.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM The PE program in the Middle School offers a wide variety of individual and team sports and activities. Some activities are offered multiple quints and some are seasonal, lasting one or two quints only. Interscholastic sports sometimes extend beyond the school day, and teams may play on any day of the week, including weekends. All classes emphasize participation, skill learning/development, self-confidence, and cooperation with classmates/teammates. Course offerings are planned as listed below, but are subject to change due to facility availability and staffing needs. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS • • •
Students will take physical education all five quints during sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. All sixth grade students will be enrolled in either cross country or soccer during the first quint, though students are allowed to just be “practice players” if they are not comfortable playing in games. Starting in Quint 2 of their sixth grade year and continuing until the end of eighth grade, all students signed up for teams are expected to play in games.
INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS/SPORTS The Northwest School competes with other schools/teams in soccer, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, cross-country, bowling, and sometimes track & field. Students have practices and/or games during their scheduled physical education class times. Depending on the sport, games may take place after school and/or weekends. At the Middle School level, our philosophy is participatory as well as competitive, so all team members will play in each game if they are in good standing. 17
MIDDLE SCHOOL P.E. COURSE OFFERINGS Some of the courses listed below are seasonal, others are offered most quints. Not all classes are offered to all three grade levels. The registration form indicates which quints each activity is offered. Students choose their classes. If not enough students are registered for a class, the class will be cancelled and those students will be placed in one of the other available classes. Basketball Teams Our teams will play games on weekday afternoons in the Crosstown Middle School League. Seventh and eighth grade teams will be divided by ability/commitment levels. Home games will take place in our 401 E Pike gymnasium. Teams will be divided into an A & B squad by skill level. Basketball shoes, shorts, and water bottle are needed. This is a two-quint class so you must sign up for both Quints 2-3. Cross Country Team There are four great reasons to run cross country: 1. Get in great shape; 2. Visit beautiful places (as we will run in multiple places around Seattle); 3. Participate in some exciting competitions (we will have one or two 1.5 mile races each week); and 4. Be part of a fun team with lots of camaraderie. Indoor Bouldering/Rock Climbing Class Students will have an opportunity to challenge themselves within the safe confines of the Seattle Bouldering Project. This class will focus on climbing efficiency and technique. Students will be able work on strength, flexibility, balance and other aspects of physical fitness that will be essential in climbing. There may be an option to participate in a climbing competition. No previous experience required. Soccer Teams Teams will practice near school and will return by 3:30 p.m. Soccer shoes, shin guards, and shorts are needed. Home games take place during the week. Teams will be divided into an A & B squad by skill. Track and Field All students will participate in a track and field unit for the second half of Quint 5. Students will learn and practice both running (sprints, distance, hurdles, relays) and field (long jump, high jump, shot put, turbo javelin) events. All students will participate in a Northwest School Track and Field Festival at the end of the year. Ultimate Frisbee Teams Discover why this game has become a Northwest obsession and join a tradition of school excellence, both in quality of play and spirit of the game. No previous disc or Ultimate experience is required, just a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Tons of running is involved, so be ready. Class times are used for skills practice and scrimmages. Games are played against other teams on weekdays and Saturdays. This is a two-quint class so you must sign up for both Quints 4-5.
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Volleyball Teams Teams will practice in our 401 E Pike gymnasium. Games will be on weekdays. Variety Class This class is a variety of activities. The activities are dependent on facilities available and on student input. This class will return to school by 3:30 p.m. each day.
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Mike McGill Head of School Alan Braun Assistant Head of School Tuney Kannapell Middle School Director Catherine Terry Registrar
The Northwest School 1415 Summit Avenue Seattle, WA 98122
www.northwestschool.org
The Northwest School offers a faculty who engage each student in sequential, crossdisciplinary study in the Humanities, Sciences, and the Arts. We are a diverse community of people who challenge each other to learn in a healthy, creative, and collaborative atmosphere of respect for ourselves, others, and the environment. We graduate students with historical, scientific, artistic, and global perspective, enabling them to think and act with integrity, believing they have a positive impact on the world.