Sixth Grade Art-9 Weeks

Make art, talk about art, learn art and show your art. Grow your skills as an artist with this introductory class in art. During this course, we will develop artistic skills and dive into the creative process while working with colored pencil, oil pastels, and more!

Seventh Grade Digital Media-9 Weeks

Do you love making digital art or want to learn more about it? Do you want to dive into all things Procreate? Then this course is for you! We will practice developing ideas and improve our creative and artistic skills using digital platforms with some photography as well!

Seventh Grade Sculpture-9 Weeks

Do you like to build things? During this course we will learn several different sculpture techniques that will be applied to create original works of art. Some projects will be collaborative while others will be independent.

Seventh Grade Drawing and Painting-9 Weeks

Love to draw and paint? Then this class is for you! Drawing and Painting is designed to expand students’ basic drawing and painting skills. This class will take a deeper look at different mediums and how to use them to best suit our ideas. The media used may include colored pencil, charcoal, oil and chalk pastels, watercolor, and acrylic paints.

Eighth Grade Design-Semester

Design is everywhere! We see it in fashion, architecture, products, and home interiors. In this course, we will explore design and gain inspiration from real examples to create our own designs. We will experiment with many different media, such as Procreate, 3D modeling, photography and traditional materials to help accomplish our design goals.

Eighth Grade Studio Art-Semester

Have you been dying to have more time to work on your art skills? Do you love coming up with ideas and seeing where they end up? This course is for you! In this course, we will use a variety of materials to create original works of art based on class-generated themes or independent themes.

Sixth Grade Band -Year

BMS Band Handbook for 2022-2023

The 6th Grade band class is open to any sixth-grade student who wishes to learn the fundamentals of playing a typical school band instrument. These instruments include: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, French horn, and percussion. Students will learn the foundations that will ensure their success as future band members, such as learning to read music, producing a good tone, assimilating music history and theory, and playing and performing individually and as a group. The 6th grade band traditionally performs a winter and spring concert. Students who are achieving a high level are also encouraged to participate in the MTSBOA Solo and Ensemble Performance Assessment. All students are expected to practice individually in preparation for class and are expected to attend all performances. This class is a pre-requisite for future participation in the BMS band program.

Seventh Grade Band – Year 

BMS Band Handbook for 2022-2023

The concert band is open to seventh grade students who have at least one-year experience playing their instrument. The course is a continuation of the technical training started in the sixth grade. Students will expand their playing ability, improve their range, tone and technique, enhance their ensemble skills, continue to assimilate music history and theory, and perform individually and as a group. Students will be expected to practice individually in preparation for class and to attend all performances, including the winter and spring concerts. Students achieving a high level will be encouraged to audition for the MTSBOA Mid-State Clinic Bands and also the MTSBOA Solo and Ensemble Performance Assessment. Students will attend the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association Concert and Sight Reading Performance Assessment in the Spring. An overnight trip to an out-of-state concert band competition is usually the culmination of the year for this group.

Eighth Grade Band -Year

BMS Band Handbook for 2022-2023

The eighth grade band is open to students who have at least two years of experience on their instrument. Students will continue to expand their playing ability, improve their range, tone and technique, refine their ensemble skills, apply music theory skills, and perform individually and as a group. Students achieving a high level will be encouraged to audition for the MTSBOA Mid State Clinic Bands and the MTSBOA Solo and Ensemble Performance Assessment. Students will attend the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association Concert and Sight-Reading Performance Assessment in the spring. Students will be expected to practice individually in preparation for classes and to attend performances including: winter and spring concerts, WCS Band Exhibition, 8th Grade Band Night, and several culminating concerts and activities. An overnight trip to an out-of-state concert band competition is usually the culmination of the year for this group.

Sixth Grade Exploring Music-9 Weeks

In this class, students are introduced to the basic fundamentals of music. Students will experience melody, harmony, and rhythm through composition and performance opportunities. In addition, students will analyze music of various cultures and styles in order to instill respect for differences and awareness of commonalities. Lastly, students will explore the process of songwriting and the significance of the music production field.

Sixth Grade Choir-9 Weeks

In this class, students will learn proper vocal production techniques, music literacy, and methods of expression that will further their individual musicianship. While students develop their own vocal abilities, they will practice the art of unified music-making in creating balance and blend. Students will explore choral literature from varied time periods, styles, and cultures. Together we will transfer musical ideas to other academic areas and daily life outside the choir room.

Seventh Grade Choir-Year

In this class, students will learn proper vocal production techniques, music literacy, and methods of expression that will further their individual musicianship. While students develop their own vocal abilities, they will practice the art of unified music-making in creating balance and blend. Students will explore choral literature from varied time periods, styles, and cultures. Together we will transfer musical ideas to other academic areas and daily life outside the choir room. Performance opportunities include in-class, annual winter and spring concerts, honors choir, festivals and, occasionally, a choir trip.

Seventh Grade Semester Choir

In this class, students will learn proper vocal production techniques, music literacy, and methods of expression that will further their individual musicianship. While students develop their own vocal abilities, they will practice the art of unified music-making in creating balance and blend. Students will explore choral literature from varied time periods, styles, and cultures. Together we will transfer musical ideas to other academic areas and daily life outside the choir room. Performance opportunities include in-class, annual winter and spring concerts, honors choir, festivals and, occasionally, a choir trip only in the Spring.

Intro to Garage Band and Production-9 Weeks

This class will introduce students to the combination of musical creativity and technology, as we use recording software to let our musical ideas come to life. This class introduces basic piano skills, musicianship/music theory and recording equipment for use in recording software, as well as introduces an understanding of acoustics and audio engineering. Students will experiment by creating guided musical projects as well as creating projects entirely of their own. Students will also understand the history of the recording industry. This is a prerequisite for the Music Production class.

Eighth Grade Choir – Year

In this class, students will learn proper vocal techniques, music literacy, and methods of expression that will further their individual musicianship. While students develop their own vocal abilities, they will practice the art of unified music-making in creating balance and blend. Students will explore choral literature from varied time periods, styles, and cultures. Together, we will transfer musical ideas to other academic areas and daily life outside the choir room. Performance opportunities include in-class, annual winter and spring concerts, honors choir, festivals, and, occasionally, a choir trip.

Eighth Grade Semester Choir

In this class, students will learn proper vocal techniques, music literacy, and methods of expression that will further their individual musicianship. While students develop their own vocal abilities, they will practice the art of unified music-making in creating balance and blend. Students will explore choral literature from varied time periods, styles, and cultures. Together, we will transfer musical ideas to other academic areas and daily life outside the choir room. Performance opportunities include in-class, annual winter and spring concerts, honors choir, festivals, and, occasionally, a choir trip.

Sixth Grade Media Concepts and Google Apps – 9 Weeks

As part of this class, students will research the history of communication, computers, and various types of media and create a presentation highlighting one of many topics. Photography and video creation will be covered as students create a biographical digital story of their favorite things. Each week, students will work to improve their keyboarding techniques and to increase their typing speed and accuracy. Students will participate in a multi-week collaborative learning unit.
that focuses on planning a vacation. As part of this unit, students will research and organize information, create various documents, spreadsheets and visual presentations using Google Apps.

Sixth Grade Keyboarding (Typing) – 9 Weeks

Students will review the proper keyboarding techniques and develop speed and accuracy while completing a variety of touch typing exercises. They will learn the correct fingering for keying the number and symbol keys. In addition, students will research topics associated with keyboarding such as assistive technology, proofreader marks, speed calculation, and the importance of knowing how to key.

Sixth Grade Computer Coding – 9 Weeks

Students begin by studying the history of computers and the origins of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Students will work on developing a primary understanding of HTML and CSS. They will also become familiar with some of the tools and technologies needed to develop web pages and other programming projects. Students enrolling in coding need to be adept at reading and following directions, detailed-oriented problem-solvers, and motivated learners ready for higher-level thinking challenges.

Seventh Grade Computer Coding 2 – 9 Weeks

Students wanting to take this class should be detail-oriented and determined to meet challenges involving higher order thinking and problem solving. They should also be methodical thinkers who can easily read and interpret instructions. Students will then learn the basic components associated with JavaScript including: variables, input, output, arrays, conditionals, functions, loops, and much more. The concepts will be presented through an online curriculum that includes a variety of hands-on activities. Participation in the 6th Grade coding class is helpful, but not required.

Seventh Media Creations and Desktop Publishing -9 Weeks

In this media class, students begin by exploring intellectual property including copyrights, trademarks, and patents. Students will research and report on topics such as plagiarism, copyright infringement, netiquette, online safety, hacking, and fair use. Cooperative learning groups will study the history of media advertising, develop marketing plans, and create product promotions. Desktop publishing activities, the creation of 2D and 3D graphics, and basic web design concepts will be the focus of print mediums. Students will modify and create audio clips and use video cameras and editing software to create the broadcast mediums.

Seventh Grade Introduction to Video Production – 9 Weeks

Students taking this class will explore the various careers associated with the movie and television industry. Students will learn how to plan, create, record and edit video projects. As students create a variety of projects, basic video terminology will be explored.
Throughout this class, students will complete 3-4 video projects. Students taking this class should be able to work both independently and collaboratively. They should also be organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines. This class is a pre-requisite for students wanting to take Advanced Video Design and Production in the 8th Grade.

Eighth Grade Introduction to Video Production -Semester

Students taking this class will explore the various careers associated with the movie and television industry. Students will learn how to plan, create, record and edit video projects. As students create a variety of projects, basic video terminology will be explored. Throughout this 18-week class, students will complete 6-8 video projects. Students taking this class should be able to work both independently and collaboratively. They should also be organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.

Eighth Grade Advanced Video Design and Production – Semester

This class is available to students who took Introduction to Video Production in 7th grade. They will continue their study of video production techniques. The history of moviemaking will be studied in conjunction with a website design unit. Students will review camera angles, shots and movements and how to use the cameras to get their desired effect. As the class progresses, students will develop storyboards and are responsible for writing, producing, directing, recording and editing many projects, including PSA’s, news broadcasts, interviews, silent movies and music videos. This is an accelerated class that focuses heavily on working independently and collaboratively to complete projects at a fast pace. Students taking this class will have many of the skills necessary to continue in the Media program at Brentwood High School.

Eighth Grade Advanced Media Creations and Web Design – Semester

In this class, students will spend the semester studying the role that the media plays in our daily lives. Students will also learn the basics of web design by completing 2 projects: one will focus on using web editing software; the other will focus on creating a website using HTML and CSS coding. Students will also work collaboratively to complete a unit which incorporates desktop publishing, spreadsheet usage, database queries, document creation, video and audio production.

Eighth Grade Video Game Design – Semester

In this class, students will begin with a study of video game characteristics and the various elements necessary for successful video games. As they progress through the online curriculum, they will learn to think like programmers. They will learn technical skills like programming, graphic design, and animation that will help them in the creation of various games. They will also learn to test and debug the programs they are creating. Students enrolling in video game design need to be adept at reading and following directions, detailed-oriented problem-solvers, and motivated learners ready for higher-level thinking challenges.

BMS Orchestra Handbook for 2022-2023

Sixth Grade Orchestra -Year

The 6th Grade Orchestra class is open to students with or without prior experience. Students will learn the fundamentals of music and string instrument-playing, including basic technique, music notation, and ear-training skills. Students have the opportunity to learn the violin, viola, cello, or double bass and will experience performing in large and small ensembles. (Students with prior experience may choose to learn a secondary instrument.) This class is a pre-requisite for future participation in the BMS orchestra program. The 6th grade Orchestra has at least two large concerts each year, participates in the WCS String Fling, and takes an annual field trip to the Nashville Symphony.

Seventh Grade Orchestra -Year

This class is only open to students with prior experience on an orchestral string instrument. Second year students will continue to refine fundamental skills and begin to develop more advanced knowledge of music theory and playing techniques. This class concentrates on rhythmic and technical accuracy as well as preparation and performance of Grade 2 string orchestra literature. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Williamson County Honor Orchestra Clinic, MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment, and are eligible for the MTSBOA Mid-State Orchestra. The 7th Grade Orchestra has at least four large concerts each year and may participate in a variety of other festivals and performances, including a Spring Trip.

Eighth Grade Orchestra-Year

This class is only open to students with prior experience on an orchestral string instrument. 8th grade students will focus on advanced tone production, intonation, tuning, shifting, vibrato, advanced bowing techniques, and more. This class concentrates on more advanced rhythmic and technical accuracy as well as preparation and performance of Grade 3 string orchestra literature. 8th Grade Orchestra is fundamental preparation for participation in the Brentwood High School Orchestra Program. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Williamson County Honor Orchestra Clinic, MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment, and are eligible for the MTSBOA Mid-State Orchestra. The 8th Grade Orchestra has at least four large concerts each year and may participate in a variety of other festivals and performances, including a Spring Trip.

6th Grade Life-Long Wellness and Physical Education (PE) – 9 Weeks
This course will include participation in games such as volleyball, tennis, flag football, basketball, circuit training, and ultimate Frisbee. Fitness testing and re-testing will be completed to evaluate student progress. With the addition of our Viking Fit Room, students will have the opportunity to be in a weight room setting. In this portion of the class, students will learn basic body weight movements and cardiovascular exercise through high intensity interval training. In the health portion of the class, students will study the importance of personal hygiene and a tobacco-free life.

7th Grade Life-Long Wellness and Physical Education (PE) – 9 Weeks
The nine-week class will include participation in games such as volleyball, tennis, ping pong, flag football, circuit training, ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee golf, and spike ball. Fitness testing and re-testing will be completed to evaluate student progress. With the addition of our Viking Fit Room, students will have the opportunity to be in a weight room setting. In this portion of the class, students will learn basic body weight movements and cardiovascular exercises, through high intensity interval training. In the health portion of the course, students will participate in the D.A.R.E. program.

8th Grade Life-Long Wellness and Physical Education II -Semester PE
The semester class will include participation in games such as volleyball, tennis, ping pong, flag football, circuit training, ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee golf, and spike ball. Fitness testing and re-testing will be completed to evaluate student progress. With the addition of our Viking Fit Room, students will have the opportunity to be in a weight room setting. In this portion of the class, students will learn basic body weight movements and cardiovascular exercises, through high intensity interval training. In the health portion of the course, students will study nutrition.

Sixth Grade Introduction to Robotics – 9 Weeks

Students are introduced to the basics of robotics. They build the Vex IQ 2-motor Standard Drive Base with some basic modifications. They also learn basic coding using the VEX IQ and VEX Virtual Robot coding programs. Students document their progress with daily engineering notebook entries. This class is completely project-based with students working at their own pace in partner teams. This challenging, hands-on class teaches the engineering design process while reinforcing problem-solving skills, encouraging attention to detail, and building self-confidence.

Seventh Grade Intermediate Robotics – 9 Weeks Students will design and build the VEX IQ Clawbot to perform specific tasks and obstacle courses using both remote control and autonomous coding. They will document their experience working through the engineering design process in daily engineering notebook entries. They will also complete coding challenges using the VEX Virtual Robot online program. Students will be expected to be self-driven and innovative. This challenging, creative class will work to stimulate higher-order thinking skills and bolster self-confidence. Participation in 6th Grade Robotics is recommended, but not required.

Seventh Grade Competitive Robotics (Tournament Preparation)-3 Quarters  

Code of Conduct for BMS Competitive Robotics

Students taking this class will be required to take PE for 1 quarter. Students taking this class will be required to attend tournaments on Saturdays. Competitive Robotics is a very independent, self-driven class. Students will spend the fall semester using the engineering design process to design and build a robot to best perform the Vex IQ Tournament Game for the year (search YouTube for past years’ Vex IQ Games). Students will then test and collect data on the performance of their prototype. Based upon that data, they will redesign and modify their robot to improve its performance. They will also practice basic coding for use in robot autonomous mode and learn to program novel variations of remote control. They will document the process in an engineering notebook daily, and a major portion of their grade will be derived from the quality and regularity of entries. Students will use their robots and engineering notebooks to compete in Vex IQ tournaments in the fall and spring semesters. All building and practice will be done in class, and various Middle TN tournaments will be held on Saturdays, typically from 7:30 AM to 5 PM. All competitive robotics students are required to pay a $75 Robotics fee to cover VEX registration fees, tournament fees, and t-shirts. Additional fees may be required.

Eighth Grade Advanced Robotics – Semester

This is a combined class with Competitive Robotics, but students in this class will not compete in tournaments on Saturdays. Students will design and build robots to best perform the VEX IQ game for the year, as well as other specific tasks. Students will document their experience working through the engineering design process in their engineering notebooks. Students will be expected to be self-driven and innovative. This challenging, creative class will work to stimulate higher-order thinking skills and bolster self-confidence. Participation in 7th Grade Robotics is recommended, but not required.

Eighth Grade Competitive Robotics (Tournament Preparation)-Year

Code of Conduct for BMS Competitive Robotics

Students taking this class will be required to attend tournaments on Saturdays. Competitive Robotics is a very independent, self-driven class. Students will spend the fall semester using the engineering design process to design and build a robot to best perform the Vex IQ Tournament Game for the year (search YouTube for past years’ Vex IQ Games). Students will then test and collect data on the performance of their prototype. Based upon that data, they will redesign and modify their robot to improve its performance. They will also practice basic coding for use in robot autonomous mode and learn to program novel variations of remote control. They will document the process in an engineering notebook daily, and a major portion of their grade will be derived from the quality and regularity of their entries. Students will use their robots and engineering notebooks to compete in Vex IQ tournaments in the fall and spring semesters. All building and practice will be done in class, and various Middle TN tournaments will be held on Saturdays, typically from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. All competitive robotics students are required to pay a $75 Robotics fee to cover VEX registration fees, tournament fees, and t-shirts. Additional fees may be required depending on State and World Championship qualifications. Participation in 7th Grade Robotics or 7th Grade Competitive Robotics is recommended.

Sixth Grade Theater Beginnings – 9 Weeks

Sixth grade theater is an introductory course designed to build confidence in speaking and performing in front of peers. This class is focused primarily on theater terminology, basic performance techniques, scriptwriting, and the origins of drama.

Seventh Grade The Art of Acting – 9 Weeks

Seventh grade drama is a course exploring theater from the perspective of an actor. Throughout the class, students will focus on crafting a character, play analysis, the rehearsal process, scriptwriting, and improvisation. Students will also study theater as a historical and cultural influence throughout the world. 

Seventh Grade The Art of Scriptwriting – 9 Weeks

In this class, students will explore acting, theater history, and technical theater through the lens of the playwright. Students will learn how to properly write a script through character study, classroom exercises, and the study of published works. The final project will be a completed one-act script by each student. Students taking this class will be eligible to take Advanced Theater in 8th Grade.

Seventh Grade Musical Theater – 9 Weeks

This is a course focused on creating a strong foundation in musical theater. Using exercises, theater games, and activities, students will explore various areas of musical theater such as choreography, acting through song, scene study, auditioning, and musical theater history. Students taking this class will be eligible to take Advanced Theater in 8th Grade.

Eighth Grade Theatre-Semester

Semester Theater is designed to build upon the foundational theater skills established in 6th and 7th grade, which include building confidence through performance, memorization, collaboration, reading comprehension and written expression. Through games and activities, we will study character development, published works, and technical theater. We will also study various moments throughout theater history, including Comedia dell’arte and the Elizabethan Theater.

Eighth Grade Advanced Theater –Semester

The Advanced Theater class focuses on the mastery of character analysis, play analysis, theater as a cultural influence, and technical theater. Students will learn proper voice, diction, and movement techniques while learning how to produce a show from beginning to end. The semester will conclude with a performance of a written work. Students will be responsible for performing, directing, producing and running all technical aspects of the production. Students taking this class must have taken Musical Theater or Scriptwriting in the seventh grade.

7th Grade Spanish I Honors (7A) By the end of the two-year course, students will understand and express themselves and participate in simple conversations on a number of familiar topics using short sentences. Students will be able to handle brief social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students begin to communicate about themselves, others, and everyday life in familiar situations. Students can recognize the main idea from texts and understand the main topic of what is read or said. Students write and present information on the most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences. Students study the similarities and differences between American culture and the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Students participate in regular performance assessments and may take ACTFL’s Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). One world language high school credit is earned by completing both the Spanish I (7A) and Spanish I (8B) courses and will appear as a pass/fail on the high school transcript. 

8th Grade Spanish I Honors (8B)-Offered at Brentwood Middle School. Students enrolled in this course must have taken Spanish 1 (7A) during their seventh grade year. In Spanish I (8B), students continue to develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment through the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Students demonstrate an increased proficiency in these three communication modes by listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language. Students continue to explore the similarities and differences between American culture and that of the Spanish-speaking world. This interactive course employs a variety of teaching methods. Daily participation and study are required. One world language high school credit is earned by completing both the Spanish 1 (7A) and Spanish 1 (8B) courses and it appears as a pass/fail grade on the high school transcript.

8th Grade Latin I Honors (Offered at Brentwood High School - Subject to seats available.) Latin I students are introduced to the principles of Latin grammar, basic vocabulary and English derivatives in order to build reading and writing proficiency. An emphasis is also placed on the study and understanding of Roman mythology, culture and history. Daily participation and study are required.  

8th Grade German I Honors (Offered at Brentwood High School - Subject to seats available.) Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills (listening, speaking, writing and reading) with an emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Students explore the similarities and differences between American culture and that of the German-speaking world. This interactive course employs a variety of teaching methods and daily participation and study are required. 

8th Grade French I Honors (Offered at Brentwood High School - Subject to seats available.) Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills (listening, speaking, writing and reading) with an emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Students explore the similarities and differences between American culture and that of the French-speaking world. This interactive course employs a variety of teaching methods and daily participation and study are required.  

8th Grade Chinese I Honors (Offered at Brentwood High School - Subject to seats available.) Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills (listening, speaking, writing and reading). Students explore the similarities and differences between American culture and that of the Chinese-speaking world. This interactive course employs a variety of teaching methods and daily participation and study are required. Students will participate in regular performance assessments  

8th Grade Spanish I Honors (Offered at Brentwood Middle School) By the end of the course, students will understand and express themselves and participate in simple conversations on a number of familiar topics using short sentences. Students will be able to handle brief social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students begin to communicate about themselves, others, and everyday life in familiar situations. Students recognize the main idea from texts and understand the main topic of what is read or said. Students write and present information on the most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences. Students explore the similarities and differences between American culture and the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Students participate in regular performance assessments and may take ACTFL’s Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).