Secondary Curriculum: Arts
"The arts humanize the curriculum while affirming the interconnectedness of all forms of knowing. They are a powerful means to improve general education." Charles Fowler, Educational Leadership
The instructional goals for all fine arts classes at Pilgrim School are divided into five standards (as outlined in the California Standards for the Visual and Performing Arts). Each unit of study strives to develop each student skills in Artistic Perception, Creative Expression, Historical and Cultural Context, Aesthetic Valuing, and Connections, Relations and Applications. These standards also address the school wide learning expectations for developing critical and creative thing skills, developing measurable knowledge in the subject matter, effectively communication using language skills, demonstrating coping skills and flexibility, and becoming independent learners who can adapt and apply knowledge to a wide variety of situations.
Fine Arts Rotation: Art and Music
Grades 6 & 7
10 credits
In this two-year arts program, students alternate semesters between visual
art and music. In their study of visual art, emphasis is placed on fundamental
skills, perceptual development and media experimentation. The media explored
include drawing, painting, collage, ceramics, computer, and printmaking.
Sequential projects and exercises are assigned to develop creative problem
solving, critical thinking, abstract reasoning, and practical experience
in graphic design and layout techniques for visual presentation. Students
will keep a sketchbook and prepare a portfolio of their finished projects.
The study of music provides students with either an introduction to ensemble singing or bells performance. Ensemble singing emphasizes solid breathing and vocal technique. Proper vowel formation, intonation, pitch matching, solfege, rhythm reading, and vocal expression are learned through the creative process of rehearsals and performances. Performances include the Holiday Program, Spring Choral Concert and Chapel services.
Beginning Bells offers performance techniques for playing in a bells choir. Emphasis is placed on team work and rhythm skills. Musical selections are chosen to challenge, educate and stimulate student’s interest in a wide range of styles and composers. Performances include the Holiday Concert, Winter Chamber Concert, Spring Concert and various chapels.
Fine Arts Rotation: Dance and Drama
Grade 8
10 credits
Students are introduced to both dance and drama. In their dance class,
students gain a foundation for experiencing movement as symbolic and
expressive communication through an awareness of body, alignment and
movement that contributes to flexibility, strength and coordination.
Through the processes of creating, performing and viewing dances of different
styles, an appreciation of dance as an art form can begin to develop.
In their study of drama, students receive a brief history of theater,
emphasizing the Greek, Elizabethan, Romantic and Modern eras. They also
learn about all aspects of theatrical production, including the role
of the actor, the director, and the designers (set, lighting, and costume).
Ninth
Grade Art
Grade 9
10 credits
A wide range of sequential media experiences including drawing, painting,
printmaking, ceramics, and graphic design are studied. Projects explore
the possibilities of media through specific techniques that encourage
in-depth investigation. Students explore a wide range of styles for creative
expression using master artists work as resource and reference. They
prepare written critiques, analyze works of art and write an original
critique on the work of a master artist. Students keep a sketchbook and
prepare a portfolio for presentation at the conclusion of the class.
Studio
Art I
Grades 10 – 12
10 credits
This studio art class affords students an in-depth exploration of the
creative process in two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, drawing,
painting, graphics, sculpture and ceramics. The projects are designed
to accommodate both beginning and advanced students. Art Structure, aesthetics,
and art history are covered in conjunction with studio projects. Students
keep a sketchbook and prepare portfolios at the conclusion of the second
semester. Juniors and seniors work on preparing college portfolios to
use for art school and university applications.
Studio Art II
Grades 11 & 12
10 credits
This course builds on the skills developed in Studio Art 1. Greater emphasis
is placed on developing personal themes and style through in-depth exploration
of two-dimensional and three-dimensional subjects in drawing, painting,
graphics, sculpture and ceramics. Art Structure, aesthetics, and art
history are covered in conjunction with studio projects. Students keep
a sketchbook and prepare portfolios at the conclusion of the second semester.
Juniors and seniors prepare college portfolios to use for art school
and university applications.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 1
Studio Art III
Grade 12
10 credits
Studio Art 3 focuses on the development of individual theme, content,
style, technique and media. Students will develop an individualized
course of study focusing on drawing and painting, 2-dimensional design
or 3-dimensional
design. Art Structure, aesthetics, and art history are covered in conjunction
with studio projects. Students keep a sketchbook and continue the preparation
of portfolios for university applications.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 2
Beginning Dance
Grades 9 – 12
5 credits
Course emphasis is on total body awareness, movement exploration, creative
improvisation and learning simple dance exercise and step combinations.
Kinesthetic awareness, body alignment, agility, flexibility and endurance
are stressed as foundations for learning basic ballet, modern dance,
Jazz and hip-hop dance styles. Student will learn to the basic the elements
of movements that contribute to creating, performing and appreciating
dance as an art form.
Intermediate Dance
Grades 10 – 12
5 credits
This course is intended for dance students interested in increasing their
movement and performance skills in modern, jazz and hip-hop. Students
will develop a basic understanding of principles underlying alignment,
balance, initiation of movement, elevation and landing, and fall and
recovery. Focus is on increasing kinesthetic awareness and concentration
in dance performing skills as well as exploring collaborative choreography.
Prerequisite: Beginning Dance
Advanced Dance
Grades 11 & 12
5 credits
This dance course focuses on development of advanced movement technique
and artistic expression of ballet, modern, jazz, and Dunham dance styles.
The advanced dance student will explore the art of dance performance
by learning to use the body as an instrument for dance expression and
choreography. Understanding this relationship is the basis of this full-year
course.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Dance
Theater Production
Grades 9 – 12
5 credits
Students explore the languages of the stage (performance, sound, lighting,
set, and costume) by mounting a production for public presentation. Through
the rehearsal process, students learn the skills that all actors must
learn—creativity, quick thinking, cooperation, and discipline.
Students are responsible for all aspects of production and work collaboratively
to build an ensemble of both performers and crewmembers.
Concert Singers
Grades 9 – 12
10 credits
Technical skills in this course include breathing, proper vowel formation,
musical interpretation and SATB score marking. The main style of music
performed is a cappella in sacred and secular texts. A deeper appreciation
for the human voice and its physical properties is applied while incorporating
rudiments of theory to all choral pieces. Performances include the Holiday
Program, Spring Choral Concert, and Chapel services.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Photography
Grades 8 – 12
10 credits
Beginning Photography introduces the techniques and aesthetics of photography.
Lectures, demonstrations, and assignments combine technical information
with the conceptual aspects of photography as a means of self-expression.
Topics for study include 35mm camera, films, darkroom processes, digital
imaging, lighting and composition.
