MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH PERIOD COURSES

Foundations of Making and Design (Seventh Grade only)

Over the course of the year, Foundations of Making and Design (FOMAD) students will learn how to safely use an array of tools and technologies through teacher-guided demonstrations, tutorials, and self guided projects, documenting their process along the way. The class dives deeply into the design process: idea inception, planning, and execution of a finished product that students care about and take home. Creativity and curiosity is encouraged! What to expect: Students will be challenged to move outside their comfort zones by working with new tools and becoming Windward certified in their use, and learning to document and share their work with others.

Middle School Choir

The Middle School Choir class sets the foundation for future singing at Windward; no audition is required. The Middle School Choir class is designed to introduce to each student the fundamentals of vocal technique, ensemble performance technique, and music-reading skills. The ensemble will sing a variety of selections ranging from traditional choral repertoire to pop songs to musical theatre. The group performs at the Winter Concert, Spring Music Festival, Coffee House events, and various other on-campus or offcampus performances as needed. Attendance at all scheduled performances is a requirement for the class. Middle School Contest Mathematics (7-8)*

This course will expose students to a wide variety of creative, challenging problems that appear in mathematics contests. In exploring these problems, students will learn general problem solving skills and specific mathematical content not found in the standard math curriculum. Students who enroll in the course will be encouraged to participate in a wide variety of mathematics competitions, including Mathcounts, the American Mathematical Contest (AMC 8), and Math Madness. This course is open to all Middle School students who like math, regardless of current course placement. (Course offering depends on sufficient enrollment.)

Middle School Creative Writing

Workshop participants engage in fun writing projects in a variety of different genres, including poetry, memoir, and creative fiction. Students have the opportunity to explore their own ideas, as well as new genres of writing. Students share work and learn from the ideas of their peers. Middle School Dance Technique

Enrollment upon permission of instructor.

This year-long course is for experienced dancers with a focus on improving awareness, flexibility, control, and technique all within a rigorous and fast-paced learning environment. Set within a rotating teaching model that focuses on refining the fundamentals of ballet and modern technique and conditioning methods, Middle School Dance Technique will best prepare students for executing future choreographic work and transitioning seamlessly into the Upper School program.

Middle School Debate

Is nuclear energy safer than fossil fuel? Are cell phones in school a good idea? In this class, students learn how to take either side of issues like these and win the argument. We investigate a wide range of current issues, honing our research, discussion, and rhetorical skills. Students have the opportunity to participate in both formal parliamentary debate competitions against other LA area schools and more informal opportunities on campus to have some fun with argumentation skills. Students of all experience levels are welcome.