Electives
Electives offered include fine arts, health, physical education, information technology, study aids, and other courses. One credit each in physical education, fine arts, and health is required for graduation. Electives are a year, a semester, or a quarter in duration, and may meet odd days only, even days only, or every day. Potentially, a student may take as many as eight electives in one academic year.
Art
A student in the upper school art program is expected to demonstrate interest and motivation, to take risks and explore new art techniques and processes, and to participate in course discussions and class critiques. Assessment is based on one's level of participation and success in achieving the aforementioned expectations.
Ceramics
This course investigates visual problem solving techniques in a three-dimensional form. Ceramics will encompass working with various clay bodies and glaze applications, with strong emphasis on decorating and designing and the process of hand slab building and wheel throwing techniques. Students will also re-create a three-dimensional sculpture made by a famous artist.
Studio Art
Studio art is designed for students interested in developing artistic talent. Students will be given advanced projects in the areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. A sketchbook/journal will be used throughout the semester to generate project ideas and monitor personal growth. Students will be encouraged to develop their own individual expressive style.
Photography
This course introduces students to a wide variety of photographic processes and techniques, both traditional and contemporary. Students will learn the basic use of a 35mm SLR camera and will explore the basic process of developing black and white film and printing black and white images. This course will also investigate a variety of photo techniques, such as color tinting, sandwiching negatives, collage, and mix media applications.
Portfolio Prep
This course is designed for students interested in developing a strong portfolio of guided studies as well as independent work. Students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to handle a variety of visual art experiences. Students will begin to develop works of art that depict mastery of varied media, techniques, and subject matter. This class will also emphasize major artists and trends throughout art history and their effect on today's society. Students will continue to maintain a sketchbook/journal composed of visual ideas, doodles, short assignments, notes, and photos that will serve as a reference to generate ideas. This course meets every day during the school year and is designed to begin the process of allowing students to complete an AP Studio Art course in the following year.
Music
US Choir - meets once a week Mondays from 10:00am-10:44am
Winter concert - Peace and Freedom (January 26, 2009)
Spring concert - Broadway (May 14, 2009)
Upper School Choir - Calverton Community Choir: We have the opportunity to build Calverton's best ever choir! Choir will now meet with no conflicts during the activity period. We will be able to meet consistently and work once a week on some wonderful literature, as a large strong group! We will work on a variety of repertoire and use this club to build skill, confidence and that wonder added component of community! Those in the choir will be given the opportunity to represent the school in community and festival events in the local area as well as those far away places. Anyone, students, teachers, staff, parents are welcome, this is not just for the "musicians" in the school. With no conflicts we should fill the music room with bodies and the halls with fabulous sounds! New approach, new opportunity, many new faces, this is our dream lets make this work! This activity/class does receive an extra class credit!
US Orchestra - meets once a week Fridays 10:00am - 10:44am
Winter concert - Peace and Freedom (January 26, 2009)
Spring concert - Broadway (May 14, 2009)
Calverton Community Orchestra - The orchestra is open to any musician in the school, with an instrument and some playing skill! (Ask Ms. Dice if you are unsure of your skills!) This is a fabulous opportunity to get in with the hottest group around! Orchestra also will now meet with no conflicts during the activity period. We will be able to meet consistently and work once a week on some wonderful literature, as a large strong group! We will work on a variety of repertoire and use this club to build skill, confidence and that wonderful added component of community! Students, teachers, staff, and parents are welcome. With no conflicts we should fill the music room with bodies and the halls with fabulous sounds! New approach, new opportunity, many new faces, this is our dream lets make this work! This activity/class does receive an extra class credit!
THEATER
Acting I and II
Students will work on monologs and two person scenes for presentation. The class will also work together on acting exercises in creativity, character development, and concentration - culminating in an afternoon of scenes prepared and presented by the students.
Improv
Students will learn improvisational techniques and skills to form an improve club. As an acting class, the group will work on acting exercises that increase creative thinking and imagination and will go to improv competitions at other schools. A schedule of events will be distributed at the beginning of the term.
Lighting and Sound Design
Students will learn techniques of lighting and sound design from script analysis, proper hanging and focusing of lighting and sound equipment, sound and lighting control, and writing cues. The final project will be to hang, focus, and dim to effect a series of lighting instruments or to set up and present a sound effects tape.
Video Production
Students will learn the process of video production from script writing, story boards, video shoots both in the studio and on location, lighting, sound, editing, to final production as they create an original short film. Class size is limited to eight students due to equipment limitations.
Independent Study in Theater
Seniors may petition for a year-long independent study in theater at the end of their junior year. Students contact the theater director if interested in pursuing an independent study in theater.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Intramurals
Intramural classes are designed to give all Calverton students the opportunity to take part in competitive sports. Student teams are assigned, and these teams compete against each other. Sportsmanship, decision-making, and conflict resolution are major components in this program.
FRESHMAN ROTATION
Freshman Rotation
All ninth grade students rotate through a series of courses in the Fine Arts and Physical Education. The purpose of the rotation is two-fold: it familiarizes students with the level of expectations they will face in upper school electives, and it exposes students to all of the Fine Arts: visual arts, music and theatre. The Freshman Rotation consists of the following courses, each of which is a semester long, meeting every other day:
Intramurals
Classes are designed to give all ninth graders the opportunity to take part in competitive sports. Student teams are assigned and compete against each other, teaching students sportsmanship, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Theater Appreciation
Students read plays in class, see plays on video, attend live performances, and learn the basic elements of acting. All students are required to see both productions performed by the Upper School Calverton Players and to write a brief review of each show.
Art and Design
This class is an introduction to the basics and fundamentals of art. Students will develop an understanding of design principles while exploring a variety of styles from realism to abstraction. Students will create work using a wide range of media.
Music
Students will study general musicianship through ensemble singing, study a variety of musical genres ranging from early music through contemporary forms, learn the use of movement and performance technique, and perform within the school community. There is an opportunity for private instrumental study at school.
OTHER ELECTIVES
Yearbook
Students in yearbook design and create the yearbook for the school. They will decide the theme of the yearbook, the general layout, take photographs, write copy, design pages, and learn to use InDesign software. Students will be assigned to complete different parts of the yearbook, and the grade will be based on the quality of work and timely completion of the assignment.
