8th-Grade Course Requests

Beyond the Sketch (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
Students will take their art to the next level by exploring advanced techniques in drawing, painting, and mixed media. This class challenges artists to refine their skills, develop their personal style, and experiment with new approaches to artmaking. Through in-depth projects, students will explore perspective, composition, and expressive mark-making while incorporating elements like ink, watercolor, acrylic, and collage. Emphasis will be placed on creative problem-solving, artistic risk-taking, and building a strong portfolio of work.

Sculpture: Building in the Studio (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
In this course, students will explore the exciting process of constructing three-dimensional artwork using a variety of materials and techniques. From assembling forms to creating mixed-media sculptures, students will develop their creativity and problem-solving skills while learning how to manipulate form to express a variety of design concepts. Using materials such as cardboard, wood, wire, clay, and recycled objects, students will experiment with different construction methods to bring their artistic ideas to life. No prior experience is needed, just an interest in building and creating.

Concert Band (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
This course is designed for students interested in continuing their music education on a traditional band instrument with a focus on ensemble skills and independent musicianship.  All students must demonstrate their competency in an audition.  Throughout the school year, band students will participate in one required concert each semester and various other musical opportunities.

Concert Choir (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
Experienced musicians in the Concert Choir will rehearse and perform choral literature of many styles and types. Carefully chosen and implemented vocal techniques, including exercises for posture, breath control, tone quality, pronunciation, and diction are stressed.  Sensitivity to balance, blend, intonation, and dynamics, and their place in the development of a fine choral ensemble are emphasized as the group prepares for multiple performance opportunities throughout the year.

Concert Orchestra (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
The Concert Orchestra is a dynamic performing music ensemble for experienced musicians playing orchestral instruments. With emphasis on student leadership, the Concert Orchestra focuses on performance skills, playing repertoire of student choice, including movie music, classical favorites, and pops. Skilled musicians, including pianists, harpists, and classical guitarists, are invited to join, with opportunities that include ensemble leadership, playing chamber music, and learning to conduct. The orchestra performs one concert each semester, represents the school in community events, and collaborates with the choir, band, and upper school orchestra.

Advanced Performance Practices (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
Students who are eager to add versatility as a performer can explore directing, playwriting, and acting techniques in this advanced course. This course sharpens acting skills through scene work and character study; introduces the basics of directing, like staging and working with actors; and encourages students to become playwrights by writing their own scenes and monologues. This class will culminate in a showcase performance.

Advanced Design and Production (Grades 7 & 8) – Supplemental Submission Required
This hands-on course explores the essential elements of theatrical design and production, from the history of modern theatre to the practical application of stagecraft techniques. Students will delve into the world of the “techie” through practical application of makeup, prop, costume, scenery, and lighting design principles. This course offers a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with and support the Fall and Spring Lower and Middle School productions.

Music Expedition (Grades 7 & 8)
This class explores all facets of music-making to uncover the student’s passion for art. Through fun and engaging activities, they will explore a variety of music-making techniques and styles through a historical and global perspective. This class encourages artistic exploration, problem-solving, and personal expression, helping students build confidence in their creative voice.

Ram Band (Grades 7 & 8)
This course is designed for beginning to intermediate level instruction on traditional band instruments for students who have been playing an instrument for at least 6 months to a year. Students will learn tone production, music literacy, and instrument care. Band students will participate in one required concert each semester and can join in various other opportunities.

Ram Choir (Grade 7 & 8)
Choir students continue to develop musicianship skills with an increased level of difficulty in choral literature, music literacy skills, and music theory.  Students are encouraged to sing comfortably and confidently through the period of voice change.  Special emphasis is placed on blend and balance, interpretation, intonation, and sight singing.  The choir will have a variety of opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Ram Orchestra (Grades 7 & 8)
An orchestra is a music ensemble for musicians who play or would like to play string instruments. This class is open to all students, including both those new to strings and musicians who already play.  Additional skilled musicians, including pianists, harpists, and classical guitarists are invited to join, with opportunities that include ensemble leadership, playing chamber music, and learning to conduct.  For beginners, this is your opportunity to learn the violin, viola, or cello, getting to play everything from movie music to classics and even pop favorites. The orchestra performs at least one concert each semester with additional performance opportunities throughout the year and may collaborate with other MICDS music ensembles, such as band, choir, or other orchestras.

Art in a Digital World (Grades 7 & 8)
In this course, students will explore how technology and creativity intersect to create stunning digital artwork. Using digital software, programs, and tools, they will learn the fundamentals of digital illustration, graphic design, and visual storytelling. From pixel art to digital design, students will have a great time developing their artistic skills while gaining hands-on experience with a variety of media.  Whether creating eye-catching illustrations, designing logos, or experimenting with digital storytelling, students will leave this class with more understanding and skill in digital art and a portfolio of creative projects.

2D Create  (Grades 7 & 8)
In this course, students will explore the exciting world of two-dimensional art through drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. Students will enhance their drawing skills while experimenting with a variety of techniques and materials. The class encourages creativity, problem-solving, and the discovery of personal artistic style. With an emphasis on self-expression and exploration, this course is perfect for artists who enjoy trying new ideas and pushing the boundaries of traditional 2D art. Get ready to mix, layer, and create something magical.

3D Create  (Grades 7 & 8)
This is a hands-on course where students explore sculpture, design, and creative problem-solving through three-dimensional art. Using materials such as clay, cardboard, wire, recycled objects, and mixed media, students learn to plan, build, and refine original artworks while developing skills in form, balance, texture, space, and structure. The class encourages experimentation, craftsmanship, and personal expression, helping students grow their creative confidence, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities while creating a portfolio of unique 3D projects.

Art of Acting (Grades 7 & 8)
This drama class focuses on the fundamental skills of acting, including blocking, character development, and physical action. Students work on creating stage pictures and scenes with realistic environments. Students develop these skills through theatre games and improvisation, culminating in a final project of creating and scripting a scene that is rehearsed and performed in class.

Design and Production (Grades 7 & 8)
This course explores the essential elements of theatrical design and production by learning about makeup, props, costumes, scenery, lighting, and more. From developing a design concept through producing renderings, drawings, and models, students explore all the different skills of theatre “techies.”  This course prepares students for Advanced Production Design production.

Intro to Musical Theatre History and Performance (Grades 7 & 8) -*Offered in 2027-2028
In this class, students will learn the history of this American art form while exploring the fundamentals of singing, dancing, and acting. Students will discover the why and how behind the skills musical theatre artists need to create, memorize, and stage exciting musical moments. From creating memorable characterizations to solid character development, students will leave the class knowing with a confident and authentic stage presence.

Intro to Video Production (Grades 7 & 8) – *Offered in 2026-2027
This class will explore filmmaking using varied filming techniques as well as computer editing software. The course places a strong emphasis on conceptual development, experimentation in style, and creative innovation. Students work individually and in teams to direct, produce, and edit short films with the individual artist’s perspective.

Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish (Level 100A* – Grade 7, Level 100B – Grade 8)
* Note: Spanish 100A may be available for new 8th grade students.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Mandarin Chinese, French, and Spanish are part of a two-year sequence designed for students to start the process of learning one of these world languages. Students begin to communicate in the target language on familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases and sentences from the novice-low to novice-high levels. Students construct meaning of the main ideas from simple, highly predictable oral input and written texts, with strong visual support. Emphasis is placed on building confidence in communicative abilities in order to experience the joy and challenge of being immersed in another language. Besides the study of language, students gain a deeper understanding of their own culture(s) through the study of culture represented in the course. After students choose one of these languages for 7th and 8th grades, they will continue with that language at Level 200 in the Upper School.  If a new student to MICDS requires a beginning level, then they are permitted to take Spanish 100A.  

Spanish (Level 150A – Grade 7, Level 150B – Grade 8)
Seventh and Eighth grade Spanish Levels 150A and 150B for accelerated learners of Spanish is a two-year sequence designed for students with prior experience studying Spanish.  Students in this sequence excel in their ability to express themselves, understand, and communicate in Spanish on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences at the novice-high to intermediate-low levels.  Emphasis is placed on establishing confidence in communicative abilities in order to thrive in an atmosphere of language and cultural immersion. Prior coursework, teacher recommendation, or the completion of a placement test is required to register for this course.  Students who enroll in the Spanish 150 Level(s) will continue with Spanish Level 250 in the Upper School. 

Latin (Level 100A – Grade 7, Level 100B – Grade 8)
This course is a two-year sequence in 7th and 8th grade that provides students with a basic understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary taught within a framework that relates to Roman culture, customs and history. Emphasis is placed on declensions, simple use of verbs, sentence structure, and translation. Latin root-words are used to build a facility with English vocabulary.  Students who choose Latin 100A and 100B for 7th and 8th grade will continue with that language at Latin Level 200 in the Upper School.