| Beginning Band (6,7,8) |
This year-long class is designed for students who have less than one year’s experience on their brass or woodwind instrument. Anyone in the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade may join. Although no prior musical experience is required for this class, private lessons over the preceding summer are strongly recommended. The curriculum of this course focuses on teaching fundamental performance skills on brass or woodwind instruments. One of each of the rhythm section instruments (piano, drums, bass, and guitar) will be employed during the second and third trimesters. Auditions for the rhythm section will take place near the end of first trimester. Practice will be after school from 3:45 to 4:30, three days each week.
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| Advanced Band (6, 7, 8) |
This year-long class is designed for students who have had at least one year of experience playing a band instrument and is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Although the ensemble will study and perform a variety of styles and genres, jazz music will be at the core of the curriculum. All woodwind and brass instruments may participate in the advanced band. A limited number of rhythm-section instruments (piano, bass, drums, and guitar) will be admitted after being selected through an audition process. This class meets during 5thth period Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
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| Choir (6, 7, 8) |
This year-long class is open to anyone who enjoys music; no audition or previous experience is required. We will learn singing and performing skills, work as a “team” and have some fun singing a variety of choral literature. The choir performs in school concerts, chapels, and morning meetings throughout the year. This class meets during 5th period Monday and Thursday.
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| Ceramics (6, 7, 8) |
In this class, we will focus on both hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery techniques. Projects will include making tiles, slab and coil containers, and cylinders and bowls on the wheel. All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to join this class.
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| Dance Education (6, 7) |
Dance is a universal language, an expressive and vibrant art with the capacity to unify the physical, mental, social, emotional, aesthetic, and spiritual. In the sixth grade, this beginning level dance course builds dance knowledge and skills in technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic expression, performance, history, culture, life skills, and connections to other curricular areas. In the seventh grade, dancers must excel in technical skill by building a sturdy foundation for proper technique. Basic ballet, jazz, and modern technical tools are executed. Compositional elements are integrated into the building of technical skill. 1st attempts of choreography are made. Structured improvisation is used in trying to compose combinations of movement that utilize many compositional tools at the same time. One performance is given.
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| Dance Ensemble I (8) |
Building on the experiences in dance education (6, 7), training with regard to technical skill becomes the focus of dance ensemble. This class prepares students to succeed in the Upper School by introducing rigor with regard to dance. Students execute full pieces of mature choreography. Choreography is provided by the teacher or a professional outside choreographer. Students are expected to provide substantial creative and technical input throughout the choreographic process. Execution of complex and intricate technical steps are primary. Structured improvisation and compositional assignments are used only to support the goal of performing with the Upper School in a piece of choreography that reaches the level of maturity expected in an Upper School concert. Often times the eighth graders will perform in an Upper School concert during the year. Once the students reach eighth grade, they may audition for the Upper School dance companies.
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| Introduction to Speech/Debate (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
The six-week debate class is designed to introduce students to the principles of public speaking and debate. Students learn how to construct arguments, support them with sound evidence, and analyze opposing viewpoints. This class is a pre-requisite for the advanced debate class.
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| Advanced Debate (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
This full trimester class builds on the introductory debate class and adds a competitive structure. Students will debate issues that affect their community, country and world, and learn how to effectively research, organize, and construct arguments with evidence. Students will practice their debate skills in formal policy debate format.
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| Advanced Digital Photography (8, half trimester) |
In this class students will explore the composition of life through the lens of a digital camera, determine the mechanics of what makes the perfect exposure, investigate the enriching, colorful (and not so colorful) history of 19th and 20th century photography, and learn the secrets behind one of the most powerful computer programs ever invented. Explorations will include artistic portraiture, The Zone System, still, landscape, street photography and more.
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| Graphic Design (7,8) |
The goal of the Graphic Design class is to allow students to participate in and enjoy a wide range of digital and conceptual design skills. The emphasis is on designing as a process with focus on using the computer as a tool to create original design work. Students will work with digital photography, vectors, product designs, and print layouts. In addition to designing their own work, experiences are provided to promote the understanding of the history and tradition of graphic design.
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| Health (6, 7, 8 / required half-trimester course for 6, 7; full-trimester course for 8) |
This required trimester class covers mental health (stress, self-concept, depression, time management, goal setting), relationships/intimacy, and sex education. We will have class assignments, class discussions, role-playing, quizzes, tests, and a final project.
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| Hooks and Needles |
Students will learn the basic skills needed to knit and crochet simple projects such as scarves, hats and headbands. We will explore the importance of fiber arts in a variety of cultures, as well. Other skills which may be introduced based on student interest could include drop spindle spinning, weaving, latch-hook rug making, punch embroidery and more. One or more projects will be targeted for a donation through community service.
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| Introduction to Flash (8) |
Anything animated on the World Wide Web is largely created using the application Adobe Flash. In this beginner’s course, students will learn how to use Flash as a tool to animate graphics, create interactive user activities, and embed sound and video into web pages. Students will also learn coding with ActionScript, the programming language that powers these interactive animations.
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| Introduction to Technology (6, half trimester) |
This exploratory class, a requirement for sixth-grade students, will offer students the opportunity to create products that incorporate the use of the following software: PhotoShop, InDesign, iMovie, Dreamweaver, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. Students also work on keyboarding skills, Internet searches, and file management.
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| Jazz Improvisation/Composition (6, 7, 8) |
This course is for students with at least one year of formal musical training who would like to develop and nurture their creative skills within the medium of jazz music. Students in this twelve-week course will first acquire a fundamental knowledge of basic jazz theory and performance practice, and then use this knowledge as a basis for musical creativity of their own through improvisation and composition.
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| Literary Magazine (6, 7, 8) |
In this class, students have the opportunity to create an annual literary magazine. The literary magazine showcases poetry, stories, photography, and artwork by sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Students will help select and organize student-submitted writing entries, art, and photography for publication. They will also learn to use Adobe Photoshop and PageMaker computer programs to assist with the design and layout of the magazine. Students will receive a grade for their group work as well as for an individual project—completing the layout for 10 pages of the magazine.
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| MathCounts (6, 7, 8, during lunch and after school) |
If you enjoy doing puzzles, challenging math problems, and exploring all sorts of mathematics, this class is for you! MathCounts is offered to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students as an after-school and lunchtime class during the second trimester. Students have the opportunity to compete with students from other schools at both the regional and state levels. This is a great opportunity to expand your mathematical knowledge and to develop impressive problem-solving skills.
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| Music Class (6, 7, 8) |
This is a class about many different aspects of music: how to read it, how to listen to it, how to play it, and how to enjoy it. Students start with basic music reading and continue on to learn about instruments, composers, and music history. Students may learn the basics of how to play guitar, piano, or other instruments. As they study each of these topics they also discuss how to become a better music consumer. What does this mean and why does it matter as a listener, purchaser, and critic of music.
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| Newspaper (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
The six-week newspaper class will produce one edition of a class newspaper on topics vital to our interests. Students will learn how to be effective journalists in today’s world. They will be instructed in proper interviewing, reporting and writing techniques. They will learn how to be ethical as representatives of the media and will learn the proper way to write a balanced story.
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| String Orchestra (6, 7, 8) |
This year-long class is open to students who play an orchestral instrument including strings, winds, and percussion. The class will emphasize ensemble playing using classical and other styles of music. The student must have at least one year of playing experience prior to taking this class.
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| Personal Finance for Teenagers (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
Personal Finance for Teenagers focuses on planting the seeds for financial literacy in high school and college. Students learn about the pros and cons of compound interest, which include the advantage of investing in the stock market at a young age and avoiding credit card debt. Students also create small businesses that focus on providing a service attractive to their middle school peers. These business groups learn about advertising and adapting a business plan when things don't go as planned.
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| Photography (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
Students will learn and improve upon basic skills in the art of photography. Students will learn about the inner workings of the camera and film as well as develop some basic darkroom skills. We will learn about many of the influential photographers whose style has shaped this artistic field. This class will be taught with a hands-on approach, with students taking pictures both in and out of class, evaluating their own and others’ work, and developing a portfolio throughout the course. Students are required to have access to a camera (digital and point and shoot cameras are great for this class).
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| Science Olympiad (6, 7, 8) |
This class gives students an opportunity to experiment with and compete (within the class) in a variety of Science Olympiad events. The topics will include map reading, egg drop, water bottle rocketry, gliders, crime scene science, tower building, and simple machines. Sixth and seventh grade students will compete against their Rowland Hall classmates, while eighth grade students (and, depending on numbers, some seventh grade students) will compete for medals in the regional competition.
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| Studio Art (6, 7, 8) |
This elective invites students to participate in and enjoy a wide range of visual art experiences. They are inspired to work to the best of their abilities and to stretch their level of comfort and depth of understanding. The emphasis is on making art. The curriculum provides opportunities for exploration, experimentation, skill development, and expression through a variety of art media and processes. In addition to making art, experiences are provided to promote the understanding and valuing of art.
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| Team Green |
Sustainability is a huge topic and look at what we have accomplished already: recycling is the norm, people are using florescent bulbs in their homes, fuel-efficiency in cars is improving, and kids are wearing "Save the Earth" t-shirts as a fashion statement. What's the next step? Similar to the civil rights movement of the sixties, teenagers have the unique opportunity to be on the front lines of the sustainability movement. In this class, students will create new projects and lead all-school initiatives (Green Cup and Idle-Free Rowland Hall) that truly make a difference for our community.
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| Musical Theatre (6, 7, 8, Fall Term) |
The class and the production are open to any student in the Middle or Upper School. Productions are top notch and participation is wildly popular. Auditions and casting for lead roles occurs in the spring term, allowing students placed as leads to work with privately engaged voice teachers over the summer. This is not a requirement, but most leads choose to return to school in September confident in their ability, having done so. Students new to theatre, students new to Rowland Hall, and students with beginning or intermediate level skills are cast in the ensemble. Students’ schedules should permit participation in both in-school class time and after-school rehearsals. Students in sports and other after school activities that overlap or conflict with rehearsal time can still participate, but they will be placed in the ensemble giving them some measure of flexibility to float in and out of musical theatre class and rehearsals.
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| Theatre: Ragazzi (6, 7, 8, Winter Term) |
The winter term is given over to non-musical productions (drama or comedy). The class and the production are open to any student in the Middle or Upper School. Casting for roles occurs during the first two week of class / rehearsal. Students are placed in roles based on ability, experience, their availability and the needs of the production. Students’ schedules should permit participation in both in-school class time and after-school rehearsals. Students in sports and other after school activities that overlap or conflict with rehearsal time can still participate, but they will be placed in the ensemble giving them some measure of flexibility to float in and out of theatre class and rehearsals.
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| Theatre: Rag and Bone Theatre (6, 7, 8, Spring Term) |
Rag and Bone is a Middle School only theatre company. Any student may participate; beginning, intermediate and advanced level actors. Rag and Bone theatre undertakes non-musical productions (drama or comedy). Casting for roles occurs during the first two weeks of class / rehearsal. Students are placed in roles based on ability, experience, their availability and the needs of the production. Students’ schedules should permit participation in both in-school class time and after-school rehearsals. Students in sports and other after school activities that overlap or conflict with rehearsal time can still participate, but they will be placed in the ensemble giving them some measure of flexibility to float in and out of theatre class and rehearsals.
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| Toy Inventions (6, 7, 8, half trimester) |
Is there an inventor inside you? Do you love making things? In this class, we will design, construct and evaluate many varied toys – from Cartesian divers to roller coasters to balloon powered cars. This is a 6 week elective class.
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| Web Page Design |
This is an introductory class to web design. The World Wide Web is one of the most powerful communication tools in existence. With that in mind, the objective of this class is to empower students with the necessary skills that will allow them to create interesting web designs and convey new ideas. Students will learn HTML code using Dreamweaver, and image manipulation and composition using Photoshop.
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| Advanced Web Page Design |
This is a continuation of the Introduction to Web Design class, and emphasizes the latest and greatest techniques for designing websites, including CSS and XHTML. Students will explore search engine optimization, information architecture and programming for PDA’s and cellular telephones.
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| Yearbook (6, 7, 8) |
Yearbook class focuses on the production of the annual end-of-year Rowland Hall Middle School yearbook. The students develop a theme and overall plan for the yearbook. Along with a faculty advisor, students take photos of the daily life of middle school students, incorporating academic and elective classes, athletics, the arts, and other significant events. Students then learn software specifically designed for creating yearbooks and create multiple pages. The yearbook is distributed on the final day of the school year.
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