Art

Keith Williams | Art Teacher 6-8

kwilliams@ILTexas.org

Students will be exposed to, and utilize a variety of, artistic mediums and will be encouraged to use their creative abilities.

Choir

Amy Burns

aburns@iltexas.org

In Choir you will:

• Make new friends

• Make great music

• Work with Ms. Burns

• Learn to entertain

• Learn to make people listen, laugh, and cry

• Learn how to read music (it’s like another language!)

• Take fun trips

• Be part of something great!

Choirs in Grades 6th-8th

6th Grade Beginner Girls Choir

This year-long, introduction course to the world of vocal and choral music is for 6th grade girls regardless of their choral singing experience.  Students in this course will learn how to read the Treble clef staff, find a key signature, solfege, sight-singing, and rhythm reading.  This class will meet over three class periods and will combine for all concert performances.

6th, 7th & 8th Grade Tenor/Bass Choir

This choir is for all 7th & 8th grade boys regardless of choir experience.   Students enrolled in the course will develop their singing, listening, sight-reading, and music theory skills, as well as develop an understanding for music of different styles and cultures. They will perform as a choir and with girls from the 7th & 8th Grade Treble choir in some concert performances.

7th & 8th Grade Intermediate Girls Choir

This choir is made up of experienced & non-experienced singers.  Students enrolled in the course will develop their singing, listening, sight-reading, and music theory skills, as well as develop an understanding for music of different styles and cultures. They will perform as a choir in all concert performances as well as with boys from the Tenor/Bass Choir & the other girls choirs.

7th & 8th Grade Advanced Girls Choir

This choir is made up of auditioned, experienced singers.  Students enrolled in the course will develop their singing, listening, sight-reading, and music theory skills, as well as develop an understanding for music of different styles and cultures. They will perform as a choir in all concert performances as well as with boys from the Tenor/Bass Choir & the other girls choirs.

CHOIR SUPPLY LIST: 

• One-inch 3-ring binder with pockets (any color),

• Pencils, Notebook Paper

• and a bottle of hand sanitizer OR a box of Kleenex.

Band & Orchestra

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Minnette Mckenna Kless | Music K-5

mmckenna@iltexas.org

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Webb Gardner | Band Director 6-8

wgardner@iltexas.org

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Gabrielle Clover | Orchestra Director

gclover@iltexas.org

Instrumental music is an opportunity for students to release their inner creativity through music performance. They do this by developing the necessary skills to create music on a wind ensemble instrument (band) or a string orchestra instrument (orchestra). Our students begin the journey in 6th grade where they choose their first instrument and learn to make their first sounds. They learn how to read music and how to apply it to their instrument.  After three years of hard work and study, we expect our 8th graders to graduate with a strong understanding of music and the ability to perform intermediate to advanced level music.

In addition to music, research shows that your student will develop other necessary life skills in band class. It is proven to improve language abilities, increase emotional resilience, increase empathy, increase attention spans and focus, and increase self-confidence. It is also proven to increase SAT scores and improve math and reading skills.Our students are responsible for obtaining their own instruments. ILTexas recommends that students rent-to-own their instruments through companies like Music & Arts. ILTexas does not own nor have the abilities to loan any instruments to students. Parents who are concerned about the financial commitment of band/orchestra should consider another elective choice.

Theatre

Dominic Traylor | Theatre Arts 6-8

dtraylor@iltexas.org

Theatre

Unit 1 - Ice Breakers

• Warm Ups

• Improvisation

• Pantomime 

Unit 2 – Voice and Character

• Voice/Diction

• Poetry

• Reader’s Theatre/Radio Play Performance

• Alamo Monologue

Unit 3 – Technical Theatre 

• Face Off

• Build a World Stage

• Gobo Project

Unit 4 – Theatre History/World Theatre

• Greek Theatre& Masks

• Xiqu

Unit 5 – Videos

• Commercials

Advanced Theatre

Unit 1 - Ice Breakers

• Warm Ups

• Portfolio

• Improvisation 

• Stage Combat & Environments

Unit 2 – Character Development/ Script Analysis

• Duets/Monologues

• Graphic Novel

Unit 3 – Technical Theatre 

• Face Off

• Build a Costume

Unit 4 – Theatre History/World Theatre

• Shakespeare

• Teatro Campesino

Unit 5 – Videos

• School Broadcast (All Year)

• Music Video

Career

Students will explore career paths, develop skills to compete successfully in the workplace, and predict the connection of school opportunities and job success.

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

• College & Career Goals

• Ted Talks

Debate - 2nd Semester Course

This course provides instruction and practice in the art of public speaking, with an emphasis on debate. Most of the course focuses on the in-class debating of major political and ethical issues.  Students are taught case-writing, rebuttals, cross-examination skills, analytical thinking, and political and moral philosophy.

SUPPLIES – 3 Ring Binder, Paper, Pens/Pencils

Enrichment / Drama Club / Video

Theater Enrichment will include 7th and 8th Advanced Theater Students.  These students will prepare the Morning Newscast Announcements and go more in depth into theater production through script analysis, memorization, rehearsal and performance.  We will prepare for opportunities to perform through local Spoken Word and Speech/Drama competitions.

Theater Supplies

• 2-Pocket Folder with brads (This will be your in-class portfolio

• Pencil/Paper/”Script” – Always bring these to class.  

• Donations of “Junk” (these will be announced as projects near)

• Crazy Hat Donations, Costume Items. 

• Face Off Makeup – This will be announced later as the students create the designs.  I will provide most of this, but they may want to supplement with extra items found at costumes shops.

Classroom Etiquette

• Be on Time

• Be Responsible

• Be Respectful