SMS Allied Arts Course Registration

Choir
Students learn to sing unison, two, and three-part music.  Participation in two evening performances is an expected component of the curriculum.

**Band
Builds upon the skills learned in the previous grade’s band class. The ensemble is made up of wind (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone) and percussion instruments. Participation in two evening performances is expected. There is also an option for a solo performance outside of the school day.
Prerequisite required before enrollment: Successful completion of last year’s (previous grade’s) band class OR participation in the summer band program offered through Community Education OR equivalent instruction through private lessons.

**Orchestra
Builds upon the skills learned in the previous grade’s orchestra class.  The ensemble is made up of bowed string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass).  Participation in two evening performances and a solo recital performance are expected. 
Prerequisite required before enrollment: Successful completion of last year’s (previous grade’s) orchestra class OR participation in the summer orchestra program offered through Community Education OR equivalent instruction through private lessons.

Beginning Spanish 6/ Beginning French 6
Sixth grade World Language classes are designed for students with no previous experience in the language. Instruction is focused on developing basic communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in the identified language. Courses also explore cultural aspects of everyday life in countries that speak the language. Students are assessed through written tests, quizzes, presentations, and projects.  Homework is an important part of this course because it reinforces concepts and skills introduced in class. Active participation is essential for students to develop language skills.

Spanish 7/ French 7
Seventh grade World Language classes are designed for students who have successfully completed a sixth grade World Language course. Instruction is focused on developing more complex communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in the identified language. Students are assessed through written tests, quizzes, presentations, and projects. Homework is an important part of this course because it reinforces concepts and skills introduced in class. Active participation is essential for students to develop language skills. Please note: Students without prior language instruction have the opportunity to begin World Language instruction during seventh grade. Students beginning in seventh grade may find it necessary to complete additional independent work while they build the basic skills necessary for success.

Spanish 8/ French 8:
Eighth grade World Language classes are designed for students who have successfully completed the seventh grade World Language course. Students will build upon their speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. Students are assessed through written tests, quizzes, presentations, and projects. Homework is an important part of this course because it reinforces concepts and skills introduced in class. Active participation and attendance is essential for students to develop key language skills. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the second year of high school World Language instruction. Students without prior language instruction will be able to begin a World Language class in high school.

Art
This course is a choice-based art class, which means students will have many options when creating original artwork. Students will learn techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, and fiber arts, but will choose the media, style, and subject for all final artwork. This class is accessible to students of all skill levels.

Cultural Discovery
Cultural Discovery is both a life skills class and a social skills class. Students reflect on who they want to be in the world, how they want to be in the world and how they want others to see them. Through the curriculum, students dig deep into their own beliefs, values, attitudes, actions, and behaviors. Students learn about themselves and the people around them. They use readings, discussions, journals and videos to explore culture and identity. The goal is for students to be their true selves and to allow others to be their true selves as well. Students work to align who they are on the inside with the way others see them in the world.

Current Events
The Current Events course will be a place for students to analyze and discuss the latest local, national, and global current events. Students will learn to navigate a wide variety of sources while developing their media literacy. We will discuss events and share out our reactions to them. Students will be expected to read and watch news as part of their daily routine.

Environmental Science
This course will study connections between a variety of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, physical geology, ecology and the environmental consequences of natural and anthropogenic processes. Students will formulate, design and carry out laboratory and field investigations. Hands on activities and laboratory experiments are instrumental to this course.

Family & Consumer Science (FCS)
FCS is the acronym for Family and Consumer Science. We will study the issues that relate to us as individuals, as consumers, and as members of a family or community. The middle school curriculum introduces several areas to students: intrapersonal skills/communication, food & nutrition, safety & sanitation, recipe use, measurements & abbreviation, cooking utensils & equipment names, serving food & entertaining, food groups & portion size (USDA recommended food guide), nutrient groups, basic food skills (snacks & simple meals), cooking techniques and baking  techniques.

Fitness
This class will stress the importance of lifetime fitness through a variety of exercises and sports activities. Students will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to learn and appreciate exercises and conditioning activities which can be used to pursue lifelong physical activity.

General Music
General Music is a project-based class, in which students will share, explore, create, develop new ideas and new ways to share and discuss music with others. Students will be given opportunities to expand upon their interests, learn about their own and other cultures, and practice community and relationships through unique and creative assignments and activities. Learning activities and assessments are aligned with Minnesota Academic Standards in Music and support the development of well-rounded students.

Restorative Arts
Restorative Arts is a new allied class that will be offered at Sandburg for the 2021-2022 school year. We will focus on developing students’ awareness of the world around them as well as effective listening and communication skills. Restorative Arts explores how we can develop the skills to be in positive, healthy relationships with others in the community. We will practice restorative talking circles based on indigenous traditions in order to co-create a fun, respectful, and equitable learning community. Together, we will expand our understanding of what it means to respect the dignity of every person.

Study Hall
Students without Music or Language choices may be placed in a study hall section supervised by a staff member where they have time and support to complete academic tasks.

Tech Ed: Gateway to Technology 6 (Engineering)
This course teaches students about what engineers do, what they create and the steps that engineers take to invent and innovate. Students are introduced to STEM principles and will work in STEM teams to learn and practice to use a 9-step design process, a design brief and a decision-making matrix to create prototypes. Students will be introduced to and expand their practice with Autodesk Inventor (CADD). This mathematics, science, and technology-integrated GTT program helps students develop and hone skills in middle school that enable them to enter the high school program with foundation knowledge and skills for success in pre-engineering courses.

Tech Ed: Gateway to Technology 7 (Engineering)
This is the second of three courses designed to give students an understanding of basic engineering principals. In this course, seventh grade students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world. Using CADD with Autodesk Inventor, students will work in teams to design and model alternative energy sources and evaluate options for reducing energy consumption. This mathematics, science, and technology-integrated GTT program helps students develop and hone skills in middle school that enable them to enter pre-engineering courses in the high school program with foundation knowledge and skills.

Tech Ed: Gateway to Technology 8 (Engineering)
The Eighth grade GTT course focuses on Automation and Robotics. Students will trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics on modern society. They learn about mechanical systems, machine automation and computer control systems (including 3D printing) while also exploring engineering careers and pathways. This mathematics, science, and technology-integrated GTT program helps students develop and hone skills in middle school that enable them to enter pre-engineering courses in the high school program with foundation knowledge and skills.

Tech Ed: Woodworking
Students in woodworking learn how to safely use power tools and hand tools to design and build two or more projects. Students learn to work with a variety of materials to create projects such as: a keepsake box, a clock, tic-tac-toe game board, a wooden pen, a pen case, a lamp, or a desk picture frame.