Woodland Middle Related Arts/Enrichment Programs
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Listed below are the related arts classes that are offered at Woodland along with brief course descriptions. Most of these classes last for one quarter and students may complete a varied rotation of these classes in each grade.
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Art
The WMS Art Program exposes students to various mediums and allows individual expression with hands-on activities which are linked with curriculum requirements in each grade level. Some of the topics and mediums explored are art history, sketching, pastels, clay, watercolors, cartooning, painting, pottery and more.
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Band
WMS offers an extensive Instrumental Music program including a band at every grade level as well as a jazz ensemble.
6th Grade Band:
The Band Program is open to students of all levels who are interested in playing, or already play, any of the Concert Band instruments. The class will focus on introducing students to the instruments, as well as providing differentiated instruction for students with previous experience. The students will learn the basics of their instrument, music notation, ear training, music history, basic musicianship, as well as teamwork. Performances may range up to three per year – one in December, one in March, and one in May. Students with previous experience are encouraged to register for this course to be eligible for additional performance opportunities. (Full Year Class)
7th Grade Band Class:
The 7th Grade Band class is open to all students. Students who have never played a Concert Band instrument need to communicate with the Director and are encouraged to take private lessons on their instrument of choice. The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Performances may range up to four per year – one in October, December, March, and May. Students in this ensemble will have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7th & 8th Mid-State Band and participate in the Williamson County Honor Band Clinic. (Full Year Course)
8th Grade Band Class:
The 8th Grade Band class is open to all students. Students new to Band must communicate with the director and take private lessons. The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Students will have the opportunity to work in small chamber groups and perform at school events. Performances may range up to four per year – one in October, December, March, and May. Students in this ensemble will also perform for adjudication at the MTSBOA Concert Festival, have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7&8 Mid-State Band and participate in the Williamson County Honor Band. (Full Year Course)
Percussion ensemble is a class where all of the students will learn basic rudiments, scales, sticking technique, mallet technique, timpani technique as well as ensemble work. This class is offered only to 7th and 8th grade students.
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Chorus
The WMS Chorus is available for all three grade levels.
The 6th and 7th grade performance chorus is an extra-curricular activity, and meets in the mornings before school. Students are taught the proper technique for singing, learn to sing a varied repertoire of choral music, and have several opportunities to perform throughout the year.
The 8th grade performance chorus is a year-long class, where students quickly advance to three and four-part music, successfully achieving high school level material. Music reading, sight-singing, ear-training, and blended choral singing are all emphasized in this advanced level class. The 8th grade chorus competes in a music festival in the spring, and performs at the 8th Grade Recognition Day Ceremony.
All three grade level choirs, 6th, 7th, and 8th participate in the many performances during the year, including Veterans Day, the Winter Concert, the Talent Show, and Broadway Night.
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Computer Technology
Computer Technology is open to 6th graders. In the Computer Technology program, Google’s G Suite for Education and Microsoft Office are used, giving students varying degrees of exposure to word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and web page creation. All computers in the lab have network and Internet access.
Emphasis is also placed on the importance of improving students’ keyboarding speed and accuracy. Williamson County, in conjunction with the State of Tennessee Department of Education, has established a minimum competency of 20 net words per minute for 6th graders on 3-minute timed writings. Instructional software/websites are used to instruct, improve and evaluate touch keyboarding skills.
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Entrepreneurship
Woodland's entrepreneurship class (mxINC) is a semester-long program and is completed in partnership with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EIC) in Franklin, an academic program open to all 10th - 12th grade students. Eighth grade students that are part of the mxINC are eligible to be a part of the new 9th grade Content Creation class located at the EIC. The mxINC is a program that allows students to work in teams to identify a problem and design and pitch a solution. Through this hands-on experience, students will develop critical skills in collaboration, communication, decision-making and more.
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Music
The music curriculum at WMS is more of an appreciation course than a performance course.
The 6th and 7th grade curriculum includes singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composing and arranging, reading and notating music, listening to, analyzing, and describing music, evaluating music and musical performances, and understanding the relationships between music and history, culture, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. Students are led through a varied array of musical experiences throughout the nine-week course.
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Orchestra
6th Grade String Orchestra Class:
The String Orchestra Program is open to students of all levels who are interested in playing, or already play, the violin, viola, cello or (upright/string) bass. The class will focus on introducing students to the instruments, as well as providing differentiated instruction for students with previous experience. The students will learn the basics of their instrument, music notation, ear training, music history, basic musicianship, as well as teamwork. These are areas that will continue to be developed as a student continues through the strings program. Performances may range up to four per year – one in December, one or two in March or April, and one in May. Students with previous experience are encouraged to register for this course to be eligible for additional performance opportunities. (Full Year)
7th Grade String Orchestra Class:
The String Orchestra class is open to students with at least one year prior instrumental experience playing the violin, viola, cello or (string/upright) bass. (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience on the chosen string instrument.) The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Performances may range up to four per year – one in December, one or two in March or April, and one in May. Students in this ensemble will also perform for adjudication at the MTSBOA Concert Festival, have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7th & 8th Mid-State Orchestra and participate in the Williamson County String Orchestra Clinic (Honors Orchestra). (Full Year)
8th Grade String Orchestra Class:
The String Orchestra class is open to students with at least one year prior instrumental experience playing the violin, viola, cello or (string/upright) bass. (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience on the chosen string instrument.) The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Students will have the opportunity to work in small chamber groups and perform at school events. Performances may range up to four per year – one in December, one or two in March or April, and one in May. Students in this ensemble will also perform for adjudication at the MTSBOA Concert Festival, have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7&8 Mid-State Orchestra and participate in the Williamson County String Orchestra Clinic (Honors Orchestra). (Full Year)
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Physical Education & Wellness
The Physical Education/Wellness curriculum offers students a variety of team and individual sports as well as other fun activities and games.
This year we hope to bring something new to physical education with a state-of-the-art technology system and fitness center.
The Physical Education fee this year is $20 which covers the cost of the uniform as well as an equipment fee. Please bring your own lock from home. We encourage parents to pay for this online using the school online payment system.
All students are participating in the Focus Fitness physical fitness testing program that gives each student an analysis of his/her physical fitness level and gives helpful advice as to how a student may increase his/her physical fitness level. The testing is performed in the gymnasium. The physical education curriculum not only includes fitness but each class will also be taught the rules and procedures to several sports and exercise activities.
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Robotics
Robotics I and II are offered at Woodland. Both are 9-week courses for students in grades 7 and 8. Completion of Robotics I is a prerequisite for enrolling in Robotics II.
Robotics I is available to 7th graders and the students will complete basic block coding/programming using VEX VR Block Coding on their WCS Chromebooks.
Robotics II is available to 8th graders and the students will build and code/program VEX IQ Block Coding. Throughout the course, students program their robots to complete a variety of tasks, using simple commands and input from the robot’s sensors.
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Theatre
Watch High School Musical Jr. Promo
Theatre at Woodland is offered at all grade levels and is a 9-week course that delves into skills such as acting, improv, and backstage experience.
Since it's the first year back to theatre, all grades will have an Introduction to Theatre for this year. Students will learn and be able to exhibit good audience etiquette, as well as working on their acting and speaking skills. Students will get to partake in many skill sets, which may include improvisation, pantomime, and general storytelling. With these activities, they will develop their physicality and presentation skills and develop basic knowledge of theatre arts. All students participate in performances in-class.