Unified Arts Curriculum

Physical Education Students are exposed to new skills and concepts as well as building upon that which they learned in previous years. Individual sports: Badminton, Wrestling Ping Pong. Team Sports: Flag Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Floor Hockey, Volleyball, Non-contact Lacrosse, Team Handball, Softball. Lifetime Fitness: Weight Training, Aerobic Conditioning, Orienteering. Recreational Activities: Square Dance, Waltz, Swing, Bocce, Frisbee, Juggling, Hand-eye Coordination skills. Miscellaneous Games: Nerfball Games, Field Day Relays, Capture the Flag NASPE (National Association of Sport and Physical Education) offers us seven standards on which we base our program: A physically educated person: 1.Demonstrates competency in motor skills and  movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities. 2. Applies movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities. 3.Participates regularly in physical activity. 4.Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness. 5.Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings. 6.Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction. Each grade covers a health related topic: 6th gr-Nutrition 7th gr- Goals/Effects of Underage Drinking 8th gr- Fitness Components: 1.      Aerobic Endurance 2.    Flexibility 3.     Muscular Strength/Endurance 4.    Body Composition Understanding these aspects of a healthy life will provide each student with the knowledge and appreciation for the importance of personal choices. These pro-active choices will help to maintain good health and the desire to strive for a level of fitness that will enhance life physically, emotionally, and psychologically

Art This program follows a sequential body of content knowledge and skills that broadens learners’ understanding of visual expression. Adolescents explore, organize, understand, and evaluate their abilities in art. As they observe and discuss visual environments, they extend and deepen the basis of their knowledge of art. The WMS art course lays the foundation for work at the high school level by providing opportunities to: Express ideas, thought and feelings Explore a wide variety of media Collaborate on group projects Work with the elements and principles of design. 6th grade: emphasizes the introduction of new techniques and new tools through multi-cultural projects. Independent work in the process of art and mastering tools through a variety of media are stressed. 7th grade: students refresh their association with tools and techniques with an emphasis on art history both ancient and modern. 8th grade: this program personifies individuality. There is a push toward high school art programs and what choices they have to offer. Advanced concepts are learned and practiced.

Music Appreciation Students will be introduced to many aspects of music and how it is related to their lives. The skills developed in elementary school will continue throughout their music education at WMS. Assessment is made through class participation, class work, and quizzes. Each grade will build upon knowledge and skills attained in previous classes. 6th grade- Theory: Review and refinement of music notation/uses. Introduction to basic music terminology regarding tempo and meter. Composition: Introduction to music software that allows students to create their own music. Listening: Introduction to varied music styles and their uses 7th grade- Theory: The use of music notation and its relationship to music heard in everyday surroundings. Composition: A development of computer software use as well as written notation. Listening: Comparisons of various styles of music and their uses. 8th grade: A larger emphasis is placed on music history and careers in the music industry. History: The progression of African American music, Jazz, and R & B into today’s rock & roll style. An understanding of how music relates to societal issues. Careers: Discussions on how other interests can fit into the music industry.

CHORUS  Students in chorus are expected to have a high interest in singing and performing. Skills and Knowledge attained in their elementary music classes will be used as a source in learning new music.  Students will be expected to read and understand music notation. Assessment is made through class participation, journals, and quizzes.

WMS CONCERT BAND  Students will prepare music for school concerts, pep rallies, and contests.  Rehearsals are during school where they will learn proper protocol for being in a band. Students will also learn marching technique in order to perform in area parades.  Students are to come prepared to class with a pencil, music and instrument.

Jazz Band / Select Chorus All interested students may audition for either or both of these extra curricular ensembles. Members are exposed to more challenging techniques and music from different eras.

ENRICHMENT Enrichment at Middle School is an all-inclusive program. The goal of the program is to help students develop skills to perform to the best of their abilities. Providing resources and support, the enrichment teacher works with teachers and students in both classroom and small group settings. Classroom instruction includes multiple intelligence and creative thinking skills activities, technology-related projects, and projects that provide differentiation. Examples of resources and support include on-line research for extra materials and creating rubrics to reflect challenging highly able students. There are many specific grade level activities. Sixth Grade: math activities involving decimals and probability, literature circles, social studies web quests, and the use of handheld computers (PDAs.).  Seventh Grade: a science DNA field trip, language arts activities, social studies web quests, and the use of handheld computers (PDAs.).  Eighth Grade: creating quilts connecting math and social studies, web page design, web quests, an online Stock Market Game, and the use of handheld computers (PDAs.).