Enhancement Classes

Middle School Enhancement Curriculum

Enhancement classes at Wichita Collegiate Middle School strive to fulfill the definition of the word “enhance”.  Courses are designed to enrich the student's education and compliment the core curriculum.  Some enhancement courses are required while others are elective.  The classes meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday.

ART

Each middle school art class allows the young artist the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking and clay.  In addition, each grade level emphasizes particular skills and knowledge.  Fifth graders will concentrate on design and print-making. Sixth grade students will study color theory and learn the principles of composition. Seventh grade art is centered on drawing skills and Eighth grade’s emphasis is on modern and contemporary art and related art procedures. One semester of Art is required in the Middle School years.

BAND/INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Beginning Band – Beginners in fifth or sixth grade learn the fundamentals of playing a band instrument:  saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Please note that selection of instruments will be coordinated with director’s approval. Students will also have the opportunity to expand their understanding of music theory and history and will give a minimum of two limited public performances during the school year.  There will be a $40.00 band fee to assist with reeds, oils, polishing cloths, solo and ensemble music and other miscellaneous band items. In addition to the school band, Private Lessons are strongly encouraged for all members of the Collegiate program.

Intermediate Band – This ensemble is for instrumentalists in the sixth grade who have had at least one year of study on their instrument. This class continues with the goals and objectives started in the beginning classes.  Students will give two or three public performances during the school year.  There will be a $40.00 band fee to assist with reeds, oils, polishing cloths, solo and ensemble music and other miscellaneous band items. In addition to the school band, Private Lessons are strongly encouraged for all members of the Collegiate band program.

Advanced Band – This ensemble is for highly motivated seventh or eighth grade instrumentalists who have at least one year experience on their instrument.  Students have an active performance schedule with concerts, festival performances, and possible pep band opportunities and may require an audition.  A performance related, out of state, overnight (possibly a two night) band trip will be taken for an additional cost to the student.  Fundraising (optional) is done to help offset the out of pocket cost to the parents.  There will be a $40.00 band fee to assist with reeds, oils, polishing cloths, solo and ensemble music, trip cost and other miscellaneous band items.  In addition to the school band, Private Lessons are strongly encouraged for all members of the Collegiate band program.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

5th Grade – Students will review proper typing techniques and will work on increasing their typing proficiency throughout the course.  A typing pretest and posttest will be given.  Students will be taught proper lab techniques for:  opening and saving a project into the correct location, saving changes and closing documents and inserting and formatting graphics.  Students will be given a brief introduction to the computer hardware and software and learn how to create and format a proper letter.  Other topics of this course will include introductory lessons in Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Internet safety and Internet searching.  Some leeway has been built into the syllabus to allow more changes as technology dictates.

 6th Grade – Students will review proper typing techniques and will work on increasing their typing proficiency throughout the course.  A typing pretest and posttest will be given.  Students will be taught proper lab techniques for:  opening and saving a project into the correct locations, saving changes and closing documents and inserting and formatting graphics.  Other topics of this course will include advanced lessons in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Internet searching.  Students will also be introduced to e-mail and e-mail attachments.  Some leeway has been built into the syllabus to allow more changes as technology dictates. 

7th Grade – Students will review proper typing techniques and will work on increasing their typing proficiency throughout the course.  A typing pretest and posttest will be given.  Students will be taught proper lab techniques for:  opening and saving a project into the correct location, saving changes and closing documents, inserting and formatting graphics.  Other topics for this course will include:  proper techniques for using e-mail, web searching techniques, an introduction to databases, and advanced topics in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Some leeway has been built into the syllabus to allow more changes as technology dictates. 

8th Grade – One advantage of being a college preparatory school is that we can look ahead and see what the students need to fulfill their precollege curriculum. The course work for the 8th grade computer class is designed to ensure that the students receive one high school credit of completion for computer technology as required by the Kansas Board of Regents. This goal is achieved through the completion of Skateboards, Inc. Skateboards, Inc. is a simulation that includes real-world tasks that bring learning and applying computer application skills to life for the student. Students are provided with information and instructions to produce a variety of documents for all parts of the indoor skateboard park including the skateboard floor, ramps, rails, a disc-jockey music booth, large screen TV’s, a food court, lounge area, pro shop, and video arcade. Each section will test their knowledge of the Microsoft Office applications as well as computer vocabulary and internet usage. Each part of Skateboards, Inc. must be completed with an 80% accuracy or better. Those students who do not pass a section will be allowed to redo it to achieve the necessary grade. Those students who do not complete and pass each section of the simulation will be required to take the Computer Applications course their freshman year.

COMPUTER CREATIONS

Students will be introduced to digital photography by beginning with a study of the camera’s functions. Pictures will be taken around campus and used in student projects. We will be writing stories using digital photos, music and the student’s voice. We will create factual movies using Movie Maker and research information the students collected. We will write scripts, videotape stories, and develop a movie based on an idea approved by the teacher. Other projects will be determined throughout the semester based upon student input. Students will work with a variety of computer programs to help their ideas come alive. The main theme for this course is fun and creativity using the computer.

DANCE

This is a fine arts dance class that includes Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Lyric.  It will be offered during the school day if we have five or more students to sign up.  The course is taught by Audra Lee of Footworks and the regular fine arts academy fees will apply.  This class is for beginner/intermediate students not currently enrolled in the after school Footworks dance program.

DRAMA (5th, 6th, and 7th grade)

Fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students explore the human situation, myth and fantasy through drama and through theatrical exercises in a drama course appropriate to the grade level.  In fifth grade, drama is required and students are introduced to elementary theater as a stimulus for the imagination through theater games, exercises and basic improvisation.  In sixth grade drama, students focus on more advanced exercises and create a series of scenes while learning about following directions and planning a long range group activity.  In seventh grade elective drama, students learn more sophisticated improvisational techniques leading to the production of extended formal improvs and accompanying scripts.  In each case, the final project will be a grade level performance.

DRAMA (8th grade)

This enhancement class for eighth graders features theater and public speaking activities and exercises in order to develop and refine communication skills and effective self-presentation abilities that will serve them through school and beyond.  Students focus on advanced acting improvisations of real-life situations and learn film-making techniques (directing, lights, sound, continuity, editing, acting) in creating their own movie.  This specific menu of activities/emphasis will be tailored to the needs and interests of each class. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship class aims to educate, expose, and inspire students to become entrepreneurs.  Students will visit and interact with local entrepreneurs, learn business terms and skills, create a business plan, and start and operate their own business.  This is a “hands on” class where students learn by doing.

GARAGE BAND

Mr. Leddy is offering a 1st and 2nd semester garage band class for interested 7th and 8th graders.  The class will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays during 7th hour in the band room.  Mr. Leddy would like students who have some experience but he will take motivated beginners.  They will work on reading music and playing for performance.  The curriculum will focus on classic rock and any song the students want to perform that is within their ability level.  We will audition students for specific instruments.  We will require at least 1 guitar (with a possible 2nd) 1 bass, 1 drummer, 1 vocalist, 1 piano player (optional), 1 sax player (optional), and a 1 sound/light person (optional). Interested students should contact Mr. Leddy for the audition form and audition times in May. We will request that it be signed by a parent/guardian. Come and join the cool Garage Band! FAA fee is $205. 

READING CLUB

Love to read?  Wish you did?  Join the group!  We will read, talk about the books we read, listen to Mrs. Cusick read and travel to local bookstores to read some more!  This is a class designed to develop and/or your love for reading.  Come one, came all!

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

Students interested in mixing and producing their own music will learn all the aspects of recording in this class.  A strong music background is not required.  Class size is limited to 12 students per semester.  This is an exciting opportunity to introduce students to the fundamentals of music through their own creativity.

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT

This class focuses nine weeks on heroes in the Old Testament, the history behind the heroes, and what we can learn from these men and women.  The second nine weeks concentrates on the New Testament, primarily the four Gospels.  Learning is made fun through the use of Bible trivia, games, skits, movies, songs and other action-oriented methods.

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS

A limited number of piano lessons are offered through the Fine Arts Academy for a fee of $285 and may be scheduled during study hall or enhancement classes with Dr. Rai’s approval.  Beginning, ending and other significant dates follow the FAA calendar.  For enrollment and other details, consult the Fine Arts Academy Catalogue (mailed in July), or contact Steve Elmore at extension 536. Parents need to complete and return the FAA enrollment form.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

P.E. promotes physical fitness and sport.  In addition to participating in a wide variety of sports and activities, students participate in the President’s challenge for fall and spring.

 

POETIC JUSTICE

This enhancement course is for those seventh and eighth grade students who enjoy reading and writing poetry and who are charmed by anything literary.  The students have the responsibility of reading works by their peers and then judging them on their artistic merits for inclusion in a magazine issued at the end of the school year.  The students work as a team and discuss the merits of the relative poems by grade level.

The class is offered second semester to enable students to submit poems during the first semester.  It can be a rewarding course for those students who have a critical eye for detail and who like to make their opinions count.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

7th & 8th Grade – Are you a future biologist, architect or astronomer?  Do you enjoy building model airplanes, solving science mysteries or designing robots?  If you excel in science, are a hard worker, and are ready for a challenge, Science Olympiad may be for you. This class will be held second and third quarter.  Students will be provided with the 2008 competition rules and requirements during the second quarter.  They will also practice and sample the various events to determine the ones that suit them best.The third quarter will be spent studying, building, and testing their events in preparation for our February and April competition.  There will be times when after school practice is necessary. This class is limited to 20 students.  Students will be accepted based on their enthusiasm, ability to work with others, science grade and science teacher recommendation.  Study Hall is offered 1st and 4th quarter. 

SPANISH

We will explore a variety of topics and learn the vocabulary for that topic along with some simple phrases associated with it to speak simple conversations in class.  We will also practice the words through songs, books, games, art projects, role-playing, plays, etc, related to the topic of study.

TRANSITIONS

This required class deals with age/grade appropriate adolescent life issues.  Students will learn more about themselves, others, and how to navigate the world around them.  Students will investigate personal strengths, learn decision making skills and discover how to deal with peer pressure and stress.  They will also receive important information on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

VALUES IN ACTION

This enhancement course focuses on universally accepted values such as respect, honesty, responsibility, compassion and courage.  Through the use of service projects, quotes, analyzing movies, songs, skits, reading and discussions, students talk about values and how to put them into action.  Students volunteer for many organizations including the Special Olympics, Senior Services, Race for the Cure, the Assistance League, and our school.

PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS

The Fine Arts Academy offers a limited number of private voice lessons taken during choir classes on a first-come/first-served basis.  Choose one of two 25-minute slots for a fee of $285. Beginning, ending and other significant dates follow the FAA calendar. To enroll, complete the requested information and the enrollment form found in the Fine Arts Academy Catalogue (mailed in July).  Contact Steve Elmore at extension 536 if you have any questions. Parents need to complete and return the FAA enrollment form.