Art • Drama • Creative Writing • Literature

Music Appreciation • Physical Education • Praise Band

Spanish (7th) • Spanish (8th) • Technology

[some electives may not be offered every quarter]

Art

Course Definition

This elective course provides the students with the opportunity to practice hands-on art skills by doing various art projects.

Course Objectives

• Learn about the basic elements of art
• Practice different types of art (drawing, using perspective, painting, etc.)
• Learn new art-related vocabulary

This will be a hands-on art class. Students will also learn the basic elements of art and practice using these elements in a drawing unit. Homework will be kept to a minimum, as most of the work will take place during class time. Occasional quizzes might be given, and the students will be scored on class participation and following directions. 

Creative Writing

Course Objectives

Creative writing class is designed to be a relaxed and encouraging place where students can try their hands at a variety of writing styles, including such things as freewrites, various kinds of poetry (traditional and non-traditional, rhyming and unrhymed), paragraph writing (narrative, persuasive, and descriptive) and story telling.  Students will have the opportunity to experiment with finding their own voice without the pressure of “making mistakes.” This affords them the opportunity to “play” with their writing, something they often are not able to do for fear of being graded down.

Curriculum

Often we will use published stories and poems as models and for analysis.  We will see what good writing looks like and use this as a spring board for the students’ own creations. We will also often read the works of former students so the current students can see and be excited about the caliber of writing their own age group is capable of attaining.

Grading

Students will do a great deal of writing every day and will share their writing every day. Grading in the class is based on willingness – willingness to try all the assignments, to share their work, and to listen attentively and give constructive feedback when others are sharing.

Homework

This class has little homework, though the students will sometimes be asked to take home something they have written in class and edit it on their computers.

Publishing

At the end of the quarter, each student will submit a 1-2 page collection of his/her best work for the quarter to share with the other students.  We will publish these pages in a Creative Writing Class booklet which each student will receive.

This course will meet three times per week.

Drama

Course Objectives

This is a performance based class. The class focuses on all aspects of producing plays/skits. Students develop basic skills in voice and physical acting as they learn and work on the following:

• Acting - Scene work, monologues, and ensemble
• Basic of Technical Theater – Set, Costume, Properties, Lighting, and SoundP
• Publicity
• Auditioning

Performance

Some of our bible teaching skits will be presented during chapel throughout the quarter.

Literature

Course Definition

This elective course provides the students with the opportunity to read and analyze works of literature.

Course Objectives

• Read one to two literary works together as a class
• Become familiar with the different components of literature
• Gain insight into authors’ lives and historical time periods of the literature
• Use critical thinking skills and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of a piece of literature
• Develop strategies for understanding and appreciating the language of a piece of literature
• Learn new vocabulary
• Use the literary work as a springboard for critical thinking and writing

The course objectives will be achieved through daily reading in class as well as some time spent reading at home. Homework will be kept to a minimum with possible nightly reading assignments of about 15 minutes only. Writing assignments will be done only in the classroom.  Although this class is designed to create an appreciation of literature, periodic quizzes will be given to ensure learning has taken place. Class participation will also be considered for grading purposes because much of the class involves lively discussions and teacher/student interaction.

Textbooks

One or two works of literature will be read during the quarter. Some possible readings for seventh grade include:

• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Some possible readings for eighth grade include:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
• Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
• The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Music Appreciation

Course Definition

The purpose of this elective course is expose students to various types and styles of music. The students will learn about music, listen to music, and do small activities involving music.

Course Objectives

• To learn about a variety of styles of music ranging from the music of ancient civilizations to modern music
• To develop an appreciation of different types of music
• To listen to and be able to identify styles of music

Homework

Homework will be minimal. Most work will be done together in class.

Textbooks

There are no textbooks for this class.

Evaluation Note

Class participation is very important in Music Appreciation.  Students will be evaluated on attitude and participation daily.

Physical Education

Course Definition

The purpose of this course is for the students to participate in various fitness and sports related activities, which require teamwork; sportsmanship, and individual effort.  The focus will be enhancing advanced skill, tactics, and strategies for the respective sports.  This course will also include instruction and discussion on exercise physiology, anatomy and nutrition.  In addition, the students will develop a devotion to a healthy lifestyle.

Required Materials

Standard Stoneybrooke P.E. shirt (tucked in at all times), solid navy blue shorts (unrolled at all times), socks (no tights or nylons), and athletic/tennis shoes without any type of heel or platform (no skate style shoes) are required on a daily basis.

Course Objective

Students will maintain physical fitness by participating in some type of cardiovascular exercise along with a sports activity (football, soccer, basketball, hockey, dance, lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field, badminton, etc…) each week.  Students will increase their knowledge of exercise physiology (target heart rate, caloric intake/expenditure, etc…) anatomy and nutrition.

Physical Fitness

Students will be evaluated on their levels of physical fitness in the fall and again in the spring.  This will consist of various tests to measure endurance, strength and flexibility.

Skills/Knowledge Testing

Students will be tested on skills and knowledge each quarter which will coordinate with the particular unit of instruction.

Grading Policy

Junior High students receive an academic (A/B/C/D/F) grade in P.E.  Grades will be based upon punctuality, behavior, attitude, participation, skills/knowledge, and proper dress.  Tardies, poor behavioral choices and/or attitude, lack of participation, low scores on tests, and not being properly or completely dressed will affect their grade.

Praise Band

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce and prepare students for leadership in chapel worship.  It is designed to develop their vocal, instrumental, and technical support skills as well as build their devotion to worship through music.

Course Objective

Students will earn and develop worship communication skills through singing, instrumentation, technical support, and planning.  Students will develop a repertoire of music to be used in chapel throughout the year.  Students will be prepared for worship leadership in their home church youth group.

Class Participation

Much of the class will consist of rehearsal for the upcoming chapels.  Daily practice and listening will be required to increase the student’s worship communication skills.   From time to time, students will be asked to bring favorite songs or music to share with others.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based upon class participation and contribution.

Spanish (7th Grade)

Course Objectives

This year-long elective is designed to give students a fun introduction into the Spanish language.  The students will utilize a binder with interactive text materials and a composition book for newly acquired vocabulary.  The students will learn simple verbs, nouns, adjectives, and phrases as well as such things as numbers, telling time, weather/seasons, sports, clothing, etc.  An emphasis on English cognates drawn directly and indirectly from Spanish will be used in order for students to build up their own vocabularies.  Cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries will be discussed to address how their customs and attitudes compare and contrast with our own.

Participation

This is a class where students should be having fun while engaged in speaking Spanish or learning about Spanish-speaking cultures.  There will be an emphasis on conversational Spanish in class, constructing simple sentences and ideas and building vocabulary.  Willingness to speak in Spanish, pronounce Spanish words and phrases and to participate in class dialogues, discussions and games is essential. Students are expected to engage in class activities in order to help them learn.  (This course will meet two to three times per week for one year.)

Homework

There will be limited homework in this class.  The homework may consist of vocabulary review and/or memorization, pronunciation practice, written assignments, listening activities, online quizzes and/or project completion.

Grading

• Grading will be based on class participation, daily behavior, homework assignments as well quizzes and tests.
• This social science course is designed to present the history of the United States from a Christian perspective as part of a well-rounded program that includes current events and critical thinking skills. In addition, the students will study geography with an emphasis on the Western Hemisphere.

Materials

• Text: ¡Spanish Is Fun! An Introduction to Spanish. Published by Amsco School Publications, Inc.
• Vocabulary Book: 100 page Marbled Composition book (9 ¾” x 7 ½”)

Spanish (8th Grade)

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the language, culture, and traditions of the billions of people around the world who speak Spanish daily.  The purpose of this course is to prepare students for high school Spanish.

Course Objective

Students will learn and develop basic concepts of Spanish communication and comprehension through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  In addition, they will come to a better understanding of the culture and traditions of the Latin American people.  At the end of this one-year course, students will be prepared for high school Spanish and many will advance to Honors Spanish or Spanish II.

Class Participation

Much of the class will be conducted each day in Spanish to increase students’ listening, pronunciation, and verbal skills.  Students will be asked to repeat what they have heard, read orally from the text, and create phrases on their own in Spanish.

Homework

Daily homework (including weekends) will consist of reading, writing, listening, memorization, translation, or review.  All homework must be completed neatly and turned in on time to receive full credit.

Quizzes, Tests, and Exams

Quizzes will be given upon completion of each lesson, tests will be given at the end of each unit, and comprehensive exams will be at the end of each semester.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based upon class participation, homework, quizzes, tests, and exams.

Required Materials

• Spanish for Mastery I, D. C. Heath and Company: Textbook
• Spanish for Mastery I:  Expanded Workbook
• Vocabulary/Composition Book
• Spanish/English Dictionary

Technology

Computer Lab

The junior high department computer lab currently consists of 24, Pentium 4, Dell computers with internet access! Each computer is loaded with Microsoft Office 2007 which comes with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  All computers have Adobe In-Design, for utilization in putting together our Stoneybrooke Yearbook.

Course Definition

This exciting course is designed to expand the students knowledge of various computer skills and the allow students the opportunity to contribute to the yearbook. Each student will be involved in this course for two quarters. During this time they will work on mastering basic skills such as touch typing, word processing and computer terminology. In addition, students will also learn the basics of photo shop and Adobe In-Design to put together pages for the school yearbook.

Internet Activity

All on-line activities will be monitored and used for research and activities only. The technology web page at www.stoneybrooke.com will be used as a “homepage” for most on-line activities. Internet knowledge and ability will be taught with and emphasis on safety and applying Christian character to all areas of our lives.

Course Objectives

The students will (1) expand their knowledge of basic computer skills; (2) be challenged to increase their speed and accuracy of touch typing, (3) be able to safely browse the internet collect reliable data, (4) be able to use knowledge learned and integrate it into other subject areas, (5) develop the ability to take good pictures and apply them to their contributions to our beautiful yearbook. These objectives will be achieved through many in-class activities that include projects, tests and quizzes, as well as the use of the internet.