8^th Grade Related Arts Choices (2008-2009)  

Physical Education:  This is a semester course in which students are encouraged to dress out and participate every day.  Stretching, exercising, and running are required each day.  Students are given the Presidential Physical Fitness test.  They are also involved in numerous physical activities such as:  volleyball, basketball, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, touch football, and kickball.  In addition students are running a half-mile each day.

 General Music:  This is a nine weeks course in which students concentrate on Western European music, from the medieval period through the 20^th century.  Student experience the genres of opera and musical theater.  In addition, handbells are used to encourage score-reading and ensemble participation

 Drama:  This is a semester course in which students focus on the foundations of dramatic performance.  Through the use of exercises and emphasizing a variety of acting skills, students will understand and be able to implement the basics of acting and production.

 Computer Technology:  This is a nine weeks course in which students will master skills necessary to create and save spreadsheets and databases.  They will also learn the basics of creating a simple web page.  Students will also complete projects that integrate several technology components such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.  Video editing and multimedia creation will also be discussed.

 Broadcast/Video Production:  This is a semester course in which students focus on all aspects of producing multimedia products.  Students will be responsible for writing, producing, directing, recording and editing many projects including music videos, silent movies, interviews, and news broadcasts.  Each semester, students will participate in the creation on one all-school assembly.  They will also have the opportunity to work with students from Brentwood High School’s Channel 9 as they tape BMS football and basketball games.

 Band:  This class is open to all seventh grade students with at least two years prior instrumental experience on the instrument chosen to play in band.  (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience on the chosen band instrument.)  This class will concentrate on advanced tone production, advanced rhythmic proficiency, individual ensemble intonation and technical accuracy, as well as preparation and performance of intermediate/advanced band literature.  This ensemble will perform at least four performances—one in December, two in April.  During a year with a band trip planned, this ensemble will also perform at the festival site for adjudication.  There will be a minimum of four extra-curricular afternoon rehearsals in preparation for festival performances.