Rising 8th Grade Registration Parent Night

Purpose To assist DSA parents with helping their student make appropriate elective choices by providing current elective course registration information and answering any questions pertaining to the registration process for rising 8th graders

Agenda Registration time-line Sample Registration forms Dance Chorus Theater Orchestra Guitar Piano Band Visual Arts 2d/3d Creative Writing Foreign Language (Spanish/French) Questions

8th Grade Basics No Teams Mr. Glenn will be your assistant principal and Ms. Middleton will be your counselor. 7 year long classes (no semester or quarter classes) Most of you will take 2 electives and PE 8th Graders eat lunch in the Main Cafeteria (no other grades)

Registration Timeline Feb 9th- 7th grade Parent Night  from 6:00 to 7:00 Media Center Feb  13th and 14th- Registration in Social Studies Classes Feb 15th and 16th- Signing Day (per team) 8:45 to 9:25 in Carr Cafeteria Feb 17th- Music Assessment at 8:45 to 9:25 in Carr Cafeteria. Feb 20th- Creative Writing Portfolios due to Ms. Barbaza, T115 Feb 21nd- Registration forms sent home for parents’ review and signatures Feb 23th- Registration forms must be returned to Social Studies Teachers.

Sample Registration Forms

DSA Arts Electives

Dance Toya Chinfloo & Richard Patton Exploring Dance - Advanced Middle School Dance Both of these are 7th and 8th grade classes that cover the foundations of the DSA Modern Dance program. Adv MS is designed to progress at a more advanced pace. In addition to these two Middle School course options, there are two High School Dance classes for which some rising 8th grade students will be recommended: Advanced Modern Dance Fundamentals Ensemble All 7th – 12th grade DSA Dance classes require teacher recommendation for placement. All DSA Dance classes include instruction and student assignments in technique, composition, writing and reflection, and performance. Eighth grade dancers generally have at least 2 and not more than 4 required, graded performances

Chorus Sean Grier Intro to Women’s Chorus A beginning-level class for female students who are new to choral singing and/or did not take 7th Grade Women’s Ensemble within the DSA Chorus Program. Eighth Grade Women’s Ensemble An advanced-level class for female students who have taken 7th Grade Women’s Ensemble within the DSA Chorus Program. Eighth Grade Men’s Ensemble An intermediate/advanced-level class for young male singers.

Theater Carl Martin ADVANCED MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDIO Length: Full Year Level: Intermediate Prerequisites: Creative Dramatics, Audition, and teacher permission This course is designed for the student who enjoys acting. Students will learn to develop voice, create dynamic characters, evaluate/critique dramatic pieces, and perform in scenes and one-act plays for the public. Students must complete an audition (perform a 1-minute monologue) to enroll in this class. THEATRE FUNDAMENTALS Length: Full Year Level: Intermediate Prerequisites: Prior theatre experience preferred Theatre Pathway starter course An exploratory class in performance and technical theatre for students who are beginning a theatre concentration or interested in all aspects of theatre arts. Students will read plays and perform scenes and monologues as well as explore technical projects--like set design and costuming--required to bring a play from the page to the stage.

String Orchestra Jody Crafford   String Fundamentals I - Students who have never played a string instrument and want begin on Violin, Viola, Cello or String Bass String Fundamentals II - Students who already play an instrument (band or string) and wish to learn an additional string instrument String Technique - This class is designed to move students from Beginning String Orchestra to learning expanded technical skills and extended range on instrument. Students will learn more complex rhythms and expanded concert repertoire String Ensemble - The String Ensemble is designed for advanced Intermediate level orchestra students. Students  must be placed by the director

Guitar Marc Davis All students should have a basic understanding of music notation (passing the 7th grade music theory test). Intro To Guitar – for students new to guitar. Introduces basic concepts of guitar (chords, scales, simple melody and harmony). Guitar Fundamentals – for students with some experience on guitar. Presents all of the basic concepts as well as intermediate-level techniques. (Beginner/Intermediate) Guitar Styles – Strengthens existing technical skill while introducing more advanced concepts. For students that have completed Fundamentals. (Intermediate) Guitar Ensemble - The completer course of the guitar program. By teacher recommendation via student assessment. (Proficient)

Piano Arthur Davis The Piano program consist of 6 Piano Lab Levels 7th grade students must demonstrate the ability to read music All Piano candidates are auditioned in both written and playing formats prior to selection in to the program Piano Lab 1-6 The classes focuses attention on piano literature, technique and music theory Students learn through individualized instruction using musical works from masters such as various pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Scarlatti, and Chopin Students are expected to perform at a public school recital at least once each semester Honors levels three and four may accompany other instrumentalists or singers, ensembles, play in chamber music ensembles, play in the pit orchestra for musicals or play in jazz bands 1 hour to forty-five minutes daily of outside practice is expected

Band Susan Townsend Beginning Band Cadet Band For students interested in trying a band instrument for the first time. Or, those students that want to take a second band instrument. Cadet Band For students that have successfully completed Beginning Band. Middle School Wind Ensemble For students that have successfully completed Cadet Band, auditioned for placement, and have band director recommendation to be placed at this level. Beginning Percussion For students that have successfully completed a beginning music class, passed a short music reading quiz, and are recommended by the percussion teacher. Jazz Stage Band For students that have successfully completed Intermediate Band and have band director recommendation.

Visual Art Patrick Hitesman Media & Design I Use a variety of 2D and 3D media, including pencil, watercolor, printing, wire, paper mache, clay Designed for 8th grades students starting out their Visual Arts Concentration or “testing the art waters” The course is a prerequisite for taking Media & Design II (High School Foundations Arts Course) Media & Design II This course is a High School level foundations course open to 8th graders who have demonstrated excellent skill and motivational development during their 7th grade visual arts courses Develop 2D and 3D design skills using a variety of media such as pencil, pen, paint, clay, wire, wood While primarily a hands-on course, there is an art history component that explores how artists have made works in other time periods. Visual Arts Concentration starter course

Creative Writing Marisa Barbaza Creative Writing Survey for Eighth Graders Explore different types of writing such as journalistic articles, personal essays, poetry, and fiction. Practice the processes of drafting, editing, and revising.   Work on pieces of interest to the writer Refine the processes of drafting, editing, and revising. Submit work to be published in a variety of formats Those who wish to pursue the Writing Pathway in high school will prepare their portfolios. Students who wish to take Creative Writing should submit a portfolio of their own writing, which includes: A brief explanation of why they want to take Creative Writing A poem of 10-25 lines A longer work (fiction or non-fiction) of up to three pages The Language Arts teacher’s signature of recommendation   The portfolio should be submitted to Mrs. Barbaza, T115.

Foreign Language (Spanish I/French I) Annie Norris This is a high school level class where high school credits can be earned. Students learn basic vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The Foreign Language department recommends students entering these courses have strong reading and writing skills. Students must have at least an 90 overall average in 7th ELA and 85 overall average in Math and 5 on Reading/ELA EOG Students must receive a recommendation from their ELA and Math teacher Students must have demonstrated consistent work ethic in ELA and Math

Questions?