8th-Grade Course Requests

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. If you’re ready to push your creativity beyond the sketch, this is the class for you!

In this course, students will spend all year exploring 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.  

This class is perfect for students who enjoy working with their hands and want to explore how art, engineering, and design come together to create unique 3D masterpieces. No prior experience is needed, just an interest in building and creating!  

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. 

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.

The Concert Orchestra is a dynamic performing music ensemble for experienced musicians playing orchestral instruments. With an 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.  

This class offers the actor a deep dive into script work. Working with scenes, monologues, group scenes, and one-acts,  the student will learn to block, develop character, and understand the importance of time and place on stage.  

Students who are eager to add versatility as a performer can explore directing, playwriting, and acting technique in this advanced course. This course will sharpen acting skills through scene work and character study; introduce the basics of directing, like staging and working with actors; and encourage students to become the playwright by writing their own scenes and monologues. This class culminates in a showcase performance.  

This course is designed for students interested in beginning-level instruction on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet,  trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, or percussion instruments for students who have no experience playing an instrument. Students learn the basics of tone production, music literacy, and instrument care. For those new to band, an instrument-fitting session will be scheduled for the band directors to determine which instrument a student should begin with. Band students will participate in one required concert each semester and can join in various other opportunities.  

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.  

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.

Orchestra is the 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, cello, or double bass, 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.

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!  

Students will explore the exciting world of textile-based art, combining traditional and modern techniques to create unique art pieces. From dyeing and block printing to silk screen and sewing, students will experiment with color,  pattern, and texture to bring their creative visions to life. Projects may include hand-dyed fabrics, custom-printed textiles, and stitched or wearable art pieces. This class encourages hands-on making, problem-solving, and artistic expression through fiber arts. Whether designing bold prints, sewing soft sculptures, or experimenting with dye,  students will discover the endless possibilities of fiber-based creativity! 

Students will work with drawing, painting, and a variety of other materials to create dynamic and layered artwork. This class encourages experimentation with different techniques such as blending colored pencil with watercolor, layering collage elements, or mixing acrylics with pastels. Students will explore composition, texture, and color while developing their personal artistic style. With an emphasis on creativity and self-expression, this class is perfect for artists who love to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of traditional 2D art. Get ready to mix, layer, and create something magical! 

In this course, students will spend all year exploring 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.  

This class is perfect for students who enjoy working with their hands and want to explore how art, engineering, and design come together to create unique 3D masterpieces. No prior experience is needed, just an interest in building and creating!  

Students who want to learn about acting without worrying over memorization can explore improvisational acting and other techniques in this class. Discovering the fascinating history of improv and physical acting styles that don’t rely on the written script, students will play high-energy games, work together on creative projects, and learn to think fast and connect with other actors. 

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.  

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.

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,” learning about makeup, prop, costume, lighting design, and more. This course offers a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with and support the Fall and Spring Lower and Middle School productions. 

Seventh and Eighth-Grade 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. 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. The graduation requirement in the Upper School is completion of one language through level 300.  

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.  

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. 

For more information about our languages, we invite you to explore the World Languages web page to find abundant information about all of the languages we offer. Included with this information are brief videos from our language teachers about each language to provide a personalized “Passport” experience to our programs.