Visual Arts

offered in our MS athletic program. Preparation for their sport choices begins in P.E. classes. A range of skills, concepts, and activities are presented, allowing each student to gain an interest in and to develop fundamental skills for the sports of their choice. Drills and small-numbered, lead-up games allow students to develop a cognitive understanding of each sport, helping them learn to transfer their newly acquired skills into more competitive scrimmage situations. Effort, social interaction, conceptual knowledge, skill development, and initiative toward self-improvement are emphasized.

The seventh and eighth grade athletic program is the start of interscholastic competition at Friends. The program offers a wide variety of team and individual sports to give each student a broad, in-depth, and meaningful athletic experience appropriate to the athlete’s level of ability.

The department’s objectives for student-athletes in middle school are:

In developing individual strengths and a healthy sense of self, the student athlete... • Values physical as well as intellectual activity as components of personal growth and well-being. • Sets personal and team goals. • Appreciates the individual/team qualities that may set him or her or them apart from other individuals/teams. • Develops the confidence and the willingness to take risks in competitive interscholastic games, i.e., “Be prepared to make the big play.” • Develops an individual moral and ethical sense of sportsmanship while engaged in interscholastic activities.

In learning to respect the dignity and worth of each individual, to value diversity, and to seek acceptance and understanding for people of all groups, the student athlete... • Shows respect for others such as teammates, coaches, opposing teams, officials, spectators, and parents. • Displays integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship. • Recognizes, understands, and values teammates’ and opponents’ diversity in skills and abilities.

Throughout their activities and experiences, the student athlete develops and displays these qualities of mind, body, and spirit: • Enjoyment of the experience and reward of learning new skills and techniques necessary to compete in interscholastic competition • Commitment to developing skills to the fullest • Ability to work cooperatively and independently for a team • Confidence through skill improvement and performance in all athletic endeavors

Specific athletic objectives which will allow the student athlete to develop and maintain self-discipline, initiative, and independent thinking include: • Physical conditioning and training to perform at peak efficiency, thus enhancing a positive self-image and sense of self-worth • Development of poise and composure by learning to deal with different kinds of stress situations in both practice and competition • Encouragement to take on and accept leadership opportunities such as inspiring teammates and performing duties of responsibility • Development of team spirit and teamwork • Development of sportsmanship (i.e., being humble in victory and gracious in defeat; playing by the rules; accepting decisions of officials without comment) • Commitment to program

Visual Arts

The middle school visual arts program is designed to guide students deeper into the exciting and powerful world of visual expression. Students broaden their knowledge of visual arts as a language through which they are able to investigate and communicate ideas.

Throughout the middle school visual arts program, students...

• Investigate the nature and roles of visual arts in today’s society • Examine the relationship between creativity, knowledge, risk-taking, and responsibility • Learn technical and thinking skills that allow the investigation, expression, and clear communication of ideas • Study past and contemporary important achievements in the visual arts • Learn about the importance of cultural contexts of visual works • Practice a wide range of composition and drawing techniques • Learn ways of describing and interpreting visual works • Maintain a physical and digital portfolio • Work independently and collaboratively • Learn how to fairly assess one’s work and the work of others • Explore the process of conceptualizing, producing, evaluating, and refining visual works • Study and apply the elements and principles of design • Practice inquisitive interdisciplinary thinking • Discuss the nature of art and works of art • Use the design thinking process of empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing • Investigate the potential of visual communication through digital technologies while learning how to navigate safely in the digital world