MS Specialists
Music / Performing Arts
Music – Grade 6
Teacher: Rebekka Jensen
Grade 6 students will explore all areas of the music-making experience – singing, playing instruments, moving, listening, creating, reading, notating, directing, and performing. There will be two required performances which will feature the class as a choir. This age is an exciting time for young musicians as they deal with their changing voices while learning to sing in multiple parts.
Throughout the year I hope to nurture creativity and appreciation in all areas of music, provide a wide variety of musical experiences, further the understanding of music through a wide variety of activities, build self confidence through our exploration of music, and encourage life-long learners in music.
Students will be graded on participation and effort more than on their actual musical ability or talent.
Performing Arts – Grade 7 & Grade 8
Teacher: Melanie Von Spreecken
Required course for grades 7 & 8. Classes meet Day A for half a block. The layout of the classes for both grades remains the same, while the exercises and music selections change to fit the age, talent and experience of the class.
Quarter 1
- Pantomime
- Basic qualities of good pantomime, basics of pantomime story lines, short pantomime activities, games and scenes.
- Voice
- Characteristics of a good stage voice.
- Short vocal activities
- Rehearsed voice scenes
- Making good vocal choices
- Lead up to the singing voice
Quarter 2
- Choral work
- Finding each students’ most effective range
- Removing the fear of singing
- Explore the capabilities of the singing voice
- Prepare age-appropriate vocal selections for the December concert
- Proper Audience behavior
- Concert
- Performance evaluation
Quarter 3
- Choral work
- Re-voice the choir for changes in range and vocal efficiency
- Sight-singing and ear training exercises
- Small ensemble work
- Using the music we are preparing focus on style, era, and music fundamentals
- Prepare age-appropriate vocal selections for the choir festival
- Improvisation and Scene-Building
- Build confidence and encourage creativity by performing scenes with little or no planning.
- Encourage team-work with group improvisations
i. In a group improvisation, the actors have the same choices, but they have the additional burden of communicating their choices to their partners.
Quarter 4(this quarter is not quite so defined by a “choir day” or “drama day.” Rather I try to incorporate the skills, games and exercises of both on a daily basis.
- Choral work
- Re-voice the choir for changes in range and vocal efficiency
- Sight-singing and ear training exercises
- Small ensemble work
- Using the music we are preparing focus on style, era, and music fundamentals
- Prepare age-appropriate vocal selections for the May concert
- Proper audience behavior
- Concert
- Evaluation
- Continue with Improvisation games and exercises
- Expect the skills of audience observation and communication
- Expect Scene-building requirements: any story should have a beginning, middle and an end.
- Move forward with more challenging exercises and games.
- Theatre Sport Olympics
- a. An end-of-the-year competition within each class of quick fire games ‘ala’ “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Technology
Information Technology – Grade 6
Teacher: John Hunsaker
The objective of the sixth grade Information Technology course is to establish a foundational understanding of technology and the role it plays in our lives. The grades 6-12 technology curriculum has been designed as a means to promote and encourage Technological Literacy amongst the students.
Technological Literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology. The units covered throughout each grade level of the program incorporate these important fundamentals of learning in order to achieve Technological Literacy.
Students will use various electronic resources while studying each unit. All projects have been designed to promote both independent and collaborative work. Each year of the program will review and build upon the foundation of knowledge developed in previous years.
Major Areas of Study
Types of Search Engines & Search Techniques
What is Technology?
Web 2.0; Mass Media
Using Technology at School
Major Software Applications
Microsoft Word Chrome, Explorer and Mozilla
Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Publisher
Google Applications Edublogs
Adobe Photoshop Microsoft Excel
In addition to their use in computer class, sixth grade students will be expected to use learned technology tools in support of their classroom activities. YIS is committed to implementing a school-wide technology integration program that uses technology to enhance learning in all content areas or multidisciplinary settings.
Effective integration of technology is achieved when in a timely matter; students analyze and synthesize information and present knowledge competently. Technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions; a daily component of the learning process and a reliable resource readily available.
Each school year students will also develop and enhance an Electronic Portfolio. This portfolio will be a living work that it is under constant development. The content of this portfolio will be driven by the topics studied in courses both inside and outside of technology class. Students will have the opportunity to select assignments from their courses in which to develop a meta-cognitive reflection upon.
Technology Systems 2 – Grade 7
Teacher: Andre Dyer
The objective of the seventh grade Technology Systems course is to build upon the foundational understanding of Technology developed in the grade six course. This is the second part of a three-year series. The grades 6-12 Technology curriculum has been designed as a means to promote and encourage Technological Literacy amongst the students.
Technological Literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology. The units covered throughout each grade level of the program incorporate these important fundamentals of learning in order to achieve Technological Literacy.
Students will use various print and electronic resources while studying each unit. All projects have been designed to promote both independent and collaborative work. Each year of the program will review and build upon the foundation of knowledge developed in previous years.
Major Areas of Study
What is Technology?
Using Technology at School
Structural Engineering and Construction Systems
Communication Systems
Major Software Applications
Microsoft Word Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft PowerPoint Explorer and Mozilla
Google Applications Edublogs
Adobe Photoshop
In addition to their use in computer class, seventh grade students will be expected to use learned technology tools as part of their classroom activities. YIS is committed to implementing a school-wide technology integration program that uses technology to enhance learning in all content areas or multidisciplinary settings.
Effective integration of technology is achieved when in a timely matter; students analyze and synthesize information and present knowledge products competently. Technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions; a daily component of the learning process and reliable resource readily available.
Each school year students will also develop and enhance an Electronic Portfolio. This portfolio will be a living work that it is under constant revision and development. The content of this portfolio will be driven by the units studied in courses outside of technology class. Students will have the opportunity to select assignments from their courses in which to develop a meta-cognitive reflection upon.
Technology Systems 3 – Grade 8
Teacher: Andre Dyer
The objective of the eighth grade Technology Systems course is to build upon the foundational understanding of Technology developed in the previous two courses. This is the third part of a three-year series. The grades 6-12 Technology curriculum has been designed as a means to promote and encourage Technological Literacy amongst the students.
Technological Literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology. The units covered throughout each grade level of the program incorporate these important fundamentals of learning in order to achieve Technological Literacy.
Students will use various print and electronic resources while studying each unit. All projects have been designed to promote both independent and collaborative work. Each year of the program will review and build upon the foundation of knowledge developed in previous years.
Major Areas of Study
What is Technology?
Using Technology at School
Transportation Systems – Land, Water and Air
Energy and Power Systems
Major Software Applications
Microsoft Word Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft PowerPoint Explorer and Mozilla
Google Applications Edublogs
Adobe Photoshop
In addition to their use in computer class, eighth grade students will be expected to use learned technology tools as part of their classroom activities. YIS is committed to implementing a school-wide technology integration program that uses technology to enhance learning in all content areas or multidisciplinary settings.
Effective integration of technology is achieved when in a timely matter; students analyze and synthesize information and present knowledge products competently. Technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions; a daily component of the learning process and reliable resource readily available.
Each school year students will also develop and enhance an Electronic Portfolio. This portfolio will be a living work that it is under constant revision and development. The content of this portfolio will be driven by the units studied in courses outside of technology class. Students will have the opportunity to select assignments from their courses in which to develop a meta-cognitive reflection upon.
Art
Art – Grades 6-8
Teacher: Charlene Spreng & Marianne Wilson
In middle school students will further develop their knowledge of the elements of art. They will learn to appreciate how the principles of design can be manipulated to impact a composition. The main goals are: expressive experimentation with a variety of media, techniques, and processes; knowledge and use of appropriate art vocabulary; continued practice of the skills of craftsmanship; and, safe and responsible use of materials and tools. Also, students will continue to be exposed to the works of the old masters and contemporary artists and, working in groups and individually, will learn to look at and respond to art in an increasingly sophisticated manner.
Myanmar Studies
Myanmar Studies
Teacher: Dr. Chung Ma Ma
Text: Government Myanmar Text Book ( KG to Grade 10 ), Myanmar Culture Books, Myanmar History Books, Customary laws of Myanmar Books, Philosophy of Language
The goal of the Myanmar Studies program is for students’ to learn how to communicate effectively and to develop an understanding of the Myanmar culture and heritage. An emphasis is placed on reading, writing, listening, and speaking for a variety of purposes and situations.
Students in grades 6-8 are presented with more complex reading passages that expand their knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and Myanmar History and Culture, including: seasons and festivals, heroes, and showing respect towards elders.
Myanmar Traditional Music and Dance
Teacher: Daw Than Than Lwin
Instruments: Myanmar harp, bamboo xylophone, see, and warr
The purpose of the Myanmar music and dance program is to embrace the basic concepts of Myanmar culture, traditions, and customs and to celebrate the essence and beauty of Myanmar. Traditions include singing, dancing and playing instruments. The basic theories of music will be introduced, including “see & warr” or clappers and bells, the timing instruments essential to Myanmar music and song. It is hoped that through the understanding of these traditions the students will contribute to the global understanding of Myanmar culture.
Grades 6-8 focus on learning traditional songs, playing “see & war,” Myanmar harp, and bamboo xylophone. Students will also learn traditional and festival dances.
Physical Education
Physical Education – Grade 6
Teacher: Jacob Cantleberry
The YIS Physical Education program seeks to foster students’ physical, mental and emotional development. This course seeks to address the school’s ESLRs and encourages students to work cooperatively with their peers as well as develop healthy, lifelong habits including regular physical activity. Through the medium of traditional team sports, non-traditional sports, swimming and fitness activities students will explore various ways of remaining healthy and active. Participation in the course will encourage students not only learn new activities but also to demonstrate good sportsmanship, handle conflict in a positive manner, and collaborate with peers. To meet these larger goals, six major standards will be addressed throughout the course
Standards Source:
1. Use a variety of basic and advanced movement forms.
2. Uses movement concepts and principles in the development of motor skills
3. Understands the benefits and costs associated with participation in physical activity.
4. Understands how to monitor and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical Activity.
5. Understands the social and personal responsibility associated with participation in physical activity
6. Understand the importance of water safety, and being responsible swimmer
Physical Education – Grades 7 & 8
Teacher: Jacob Cantleberry
Physical Education (PE) is a course that prepares students physically, mentally and socially. This course focuses on teaching students about having a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity. It will also introduce the student to a variety of competitive and cooperative sports, teach students how to perform with good sportsmanship and how to handle conflict in a positive manner.
Standards Source:
1. Use a variety of basic and advanced movement forms.
2. Uses movement concepts and principles in the development of motor skills.
3. Understands the benefits and costs associated with participation in physical activity.
4. Understands how to monitor and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity.
5. Understands the social and personal responsibility associated with participation in physical activities.
6. Understand the importance of water safety, and being a responsible swimmer
ESL
Grades 6-8
Teacher: Jane Wong
ESL support will be provided in Secondary this year in small groups and individually both inside and outside of the English/Language Arts classroom, depending on the needs of the student. The ESL teacher will work closely with the English and core area teachers to provide supplementary materials to enhance learning and comprehension of the coursework.
Students will be expected to work hard in class as well as outside of the classroom. Communication with the ESL teacher is important to success.