5 minute read
Course Descriptions
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. Creativity and curiosity is encouraged! What to expect: Students will be challenged to move outside their comfort zones by working with new tools and software. They will learn to document their process and turn their ideas into artifacts that they can take home and share with others.
Middle School Vocal Ensemble
Performance required.
The Middle School Vocal Ensemble class sets the foundation for future singing at Windward; no audition is required. The Middle School Vocal Ensemble 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 and Coffee House events. 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 seeking a fun and fast-paced learning environment in which to more deeply explore and refine the fundamentals of ballet and modern technique, as well as a variety of 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.
Middle School Engineering (Eighth Grade only)
In Middle School Engineering Work, we will be constructing unique mechanisms in order to maximize solutions to both common and ridiculous problems in a competitive and fun atmosphere. This engineering course will focus on the design process by means of thorough documentation of design and testing of prototypes. We will learn the history and implementation of engineering strategies seen in today’s world and use those strategies to augment our own building. We will build things, break things, and build them better still, but most of all, we will have fun through engineering both in teams and as individuals.
Middle School Entrepreneurship
In this class, students learn the basics of starting a business and being an entrepreneur. Students learn through class discussions and activities as well as guest speakers. Students are encouraged to try out their own entrepreneurial ideas during the class and can participate in Buy It on the Bridge using what they have learned. Middle School Improvisation and On-Camera Acting
This course offering includes one semester of improvisation and one semester of on-camera acting. Students have the opportunity to learn short-form improvisation games and skills. During the improvisation semester, the class will focus on the basics of improvisation rules and playful games, and help prepare students interested in joining W!T (Windward Improvisation Troupe). During the on-camera semester, the class will focus on specific techniques of acting for the camera, which both personalizes and deepens their character portrayals. Students will learn the skills of acting on camera, monologue and scene rehearsal and production, audition techniques and preparation, and the creation of an acting reel. Middle School Interdisciplinary Visual and Media Arts (7-8) (Eighth Period)
In this Eighth Period course, students will engage in a wide range of studio and multimedia projects. Students will explore a variety of artmaking styles, using prompts and creative projects to encourage the development of personal voice. Sketchbooks will be used as a tool to explore concepts, iterate ideas and prototypes, and document work and process. This course is specifically designed for students who are passionate about the visual and media arts and are willing to be challenged.
Middle School Music Production
There are many aspects to being a Music Producer. They are musicians, composers, audio technicians, recording artists and programmers all at once. In this class, we will learn the basic keyboard skills and rudimentary music theory in which a producer needs to create original music. We will take on various projects as producers such as making beats from scratch, making music for a podcast, and creating original compositions. We will also explore each aspect of making a song, while learning what it means to be a studio musician, audio engineer, and producer. By the end of the year, students will have a deeper knowledge and understanding of how music is created, and will be able to create original music themselves from scratch. After a full year of this course, students can then take their skillset into many different related areas of music, and will in turn be inspired to continue to pursue music as an art and a discipline. No previous music experience is required, beginners are welcome! This class is a full year course.
