Middle School Visual Arts Classes

(Semester)

Come explore a variety of art media, applications, and techniques to create 3D art. Some of the projects will include clay, wood, wire, collage, paper mache, and mixed media. Through studying the different 3D assignments, students will learn how to create sculptures in any medium. Assignments will be geared toward both aesthetically pleasing projects and functional pottery. Students are encouraged to give specific attention to craftsmanship and self-expression.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of 3D Art/Ceramics.

(Semester)

This course will continue to build on the skills from the beginning level ceramics class. Students will explore a variety of methods of construction and glazing techniques which reflect a greater level of craftsmanship and ability. In addition, students will be challenged to deepen their knowledge of both technique and concept while becoming more fully involved in all aspects of the ceramics process. (Grades 7-8 only)

(Semester)

Students will discover the joys of seeing the world around them and gain the ability to portray that vision through pencil, pastels, watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint. Projects will explore a variety of techniques which accommodate students of any ability or level. This class will encourage students to discover their personal style.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting.

(Semester)

Students will build on skills learned in the Drawing and Painting course and will focus on mastering painting techniques. Using 20th century artists as a guide, students will explore the various techniques and methods used to create paintings and utilize these skills in their own artwork. (Grades 7-8 only)

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting and Exploration of Drawing & Painting (or placement based on teacher approval of artistic work).

(Spring semester)

Students will synthesize the principles of art and design with the latest techniques of digital art. Understanding the technical nature of digital painting, students must first be adept in the fundamental aspects of art. This course provides hands on training using popular digital painting software. They will explore the young history of digital art and the latest implementations of this process both culturally and industry wide. The students' work will capture an understanding of color theory, balance, and composition through landscapes, portraits, architectural studies, character creations, narrative illustrations, and more.

(Semester)

This course acquaints students with various art forms from cultures around the world. Combined with art appreciation lessons for each country, students will create their own two-dimensional and three dimensional projects using a wide range of materials and artistic techniques. Students will gain an appreciation for various cultures and learn the connection between culture and art.

(Semester)

Our photography class is a great way to get to know the basics of photography. We learn how the camera takes a picture and how to make that picture a piece of art. Students can explore their areas of interest in photography and with extra time and effort can expand their talent in photography, no matter what their experience has been. Students will learn how to take photos in fully manual mode, learn workflow utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Bridge software (what to do with their photos after they take them), and photo editing. The school has a limited number of cameras if a student does not have access to their own camera. This is a semester class and is a great prep class for high school photography classes. DSLR camera recommended

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Digital Photography. Photography can be a powerful vehicle for creating stories.

(Semester)

Through guided assignments, students will further build on the techniques learned in Fundamentals of Digital Photography to create bodies of work that tell stories. This will involve shooting projects and assignments outside the classroom. Our class time will be more focused on critiquing work, editing images created outside of class, and finally laying out a book of the work from the semester. Students must have a DSLR or mirrorless camera to take this course. (Grades 7-8 only)

(Semester)

This digital video course will provide students with a basic understanding of the technology and techniques used in film and explore ways in which film is created to achieve its desired effect on an audience. The emphasis of this course is creation. In groups, students will create their own commercials, music videos, stop motion projects, and simulated interviews. The projects will be critiqued as a class in order to generate new ideas and to introduce different film techniques to strengthen storytelling. Students will also learn how to edit their movies in iMovie.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Film Production.

(Semester)

This class will spend the semester telling the story of being a student at OCMS by creating a variety show. Students will interview faculty, their classmates, and admin to create an engaging show that will air to the school. Students will learn techniques in lighting, recording sound, and writing a script. (Grades 7-8 only)

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Digital Photography.

(Year-long commitment)

This course creates individualized artwork and produces a corporate class project through the yearbook. Students will take pictures, develop layouts, and design the cover. Students will also learn to prepare pages for submission, to work within deadlines, and to complete the expectations required for the yearbook. The final product is the pictorial representation of student life in the middle school. Due to the demands of this course, this course is for 7th and 8th grade students only; application required, and administration gives final approval of student course request.