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. 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 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.

Middle School Engineering (Eighth Grade only)

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.

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.

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.