6TH GRADE EXPLORATORIES
YEAR LONG EXPLORATORIES
BAND
This exploratory class meets for the entire 6th grade year. Before the school year begins, each student will go through a screening
process to choose an instrument to play. The school will provide most of the larger instruments, but normally students will rent an
instrument from a local music store. The 6th grade band will perform at least 2 concerts throughout the year. Each band student is
required to practice 90 minutes a week. This is a major portion of the grade for band class. There will be written assignments and
playing tests as well. The instruments available are flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and
tuba. After the first band concert, interested 6 th grade students have the option of auditioning for percussion. Students are placed in
classes based on the instruments they choose to play. No prior musical experience is necessary to take this class.
CHORUS
6th grade chorus is a year long performance-based class that focuses on learning one to two part vocal music, learning basic skills in
singing, breathing, diction, and musical style. We explore different types of music, including traditional and popular singing from our
culture. You will have the opportunity to perform in winter and spring concerts. Participation and enthusiasm will help you earn an
excellent grade in chorus. See you there!
STRINGS
Students will learn how to play a string instrument of their choice. They will learn how to play the instrument and how to read music.
No musical background is necessary. Students will perform in two concerts per year.
SEMESTER EXPLORATORIES
ART
Exploration is the major concentration, allowing students to try different styles and different materials. Drawing a still life, creating a
portrait and making a pinch bowl, are some of the projects students will create.
SPANISH
This course will give students a transition from the conversational approach to Spanish used in the elementary schools to a
grammatical approach used in the secondary schools. It will use listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture to expand on the
themes that were introduced in the elementary program. Grammar will be taught through cultural applications and not in isolation.
CREATIVE DESIGN
Students will apply the engineering design process to solve real-world problems. They will examine and use the manufacturing
process, teamwork, and communication to design and create engineering/technology projects.
PROGRAMMING AND CODING
Students will learn how computers work and will practice computational thinking as they code computer programs to display graphics,
design interactive stories, create games, and animate objects. Topics will include sequential logic, conditionals, loops, and variables.
7th GRADE EXPLORATORIES
YEAR LONG EXPLORATORIES
AVID
AVID elective is available only to students who apply and are admitted to the class. The class meets for 45 minutes daily throughout
the year. Students accepted to the AVID elective learn WICOR strategies, participate in tutorials twice per week, and participate in
enrichment and motivational activities that make college goals more attainable. Students enrolled in AVID are typically required to
enroll in at least one advanced/honors core class in addition to the AVID elective.
This is an application process so you will not see this course listed as an option. If you are interested, you will apply in the spring, and
we will work with you on adjusting your exploratory/PE schedule.
BAND
Prerequisite: Completed 6th grade band or passed playing test given by the director
The 7th grade band meets 45 minutes every other day throughout the school year. This year is devoted to the improvement of skills
already learned on a particular instrument. The 7th grade band will begin the process of performing works written for band and will
continue working out of a method book. The 7 th grade year is a good time to begin taking lessons from a private instructor. The band
will perform at least 2 concerts per year. Students will be required to practice 110 minutes a week. There will be written work and
playing tests as well.
CHORUS
7th Grade Chorus is a performance-based class that focuses on learning to sing one to three part vocal music, developing skills in voice
production and diction, basic sight-singing, and music theory. We will explore different styles of music, including simple classic,
traditional and popular music from different cultures. You will have the opportunity to perform in winter and spring concerts.
Participation and a good attitude towards singing will help you earn an excellent grade in chorus.
SKILLS FOR 21ST CENTURY
Skills for the 21st Century is a course for students who are interested in learning more about the AVID elective before applying for
admission to the elective class. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of WICOR strategies used in AVID, like tutorials,
philosophical chairs, organizational skills, Socratic Seminars and much more. Students will learn about college through research, guest
speakers, and a visits to local campus. This course aims to prepare students to take on the challenge of advanced/honors courses in the
following school year while also building interpersonal skills.
STRINGS
Students should have at least one year of experience on their string instrument and be able to read music and perform on their
instrument. Students will perform in a winter and spring concert AND in District Orchestra Festival and a national competition to
receive feed back from judges. Participation in a beginning or intermediate orchestra in 6th grade OR an audition is required to sign
up for this class. Participation in the annual spring orchestra competition trip is optional.
SEMESTER EXPLORATORIES Continue on next page 
SEMESTER EXPLORATORIES
ART
7th grade students build on skills acquired in 6th grade art. Seventh grade art concentrates on realistic representation, both in the
creation of detailed self-portraits and animal masks. Clay is also used, dealing with coiling techniques, symmetry and symbolism in
the making of Pueblo Bowls. There will be higher expectations with technical and application techniques in all the mediums studied.
CAREERS AND ACADEMICS
Students will investigate a variety of career clusters, analyze their personal assets, select career fields or occupations for further study,
and create a plan based on their academic and career interests. They will also explore Albemarle County’s Math, Engineering, &
Science, Health & Medical Sciences, and Environmental Studies Academies and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education
Center.
DIGITAL MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Students will utilize digital tools in the fields of programming and coding, game design, creative design, photography, animation and
film, and they will enhance their knowledge of media software and how to manipulate and design digital media.
DRAMA
We will begin our introductory semester getting to know the basics of communication, familiarity with the stage, and stage directions.
We will explore basic expression, communication, diction, and theater vocabulary. Introductory Drama will also include techniques
of memorization, managing stage fright, and learning to work within an ensemble.
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Students will explore the engineering design process and real-world problem solving through the use of technologies including
computer-aided design software, electronics, 3D-printing and CNC machining to discover their related applications.
PERSONAL LIFE SKILLS AND CAREER PATHWAYS
Students develop advanced personal life skills related to home safety, nutritional health, and physically-active lifestyles that lead to
independence. Students extend those skills through exploration of careers in human services including hospitality and tourism, child
care, teaching, and other human service career paths. Students investigate job and entrepreneurship opportunities that exist for
teenagers in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.
SCULPTURE
In sculpture class, students will work with projects which use only 3 dimensional form. Students will build your forms using paper
mache, wire, clay, plaster, cardboard and wood. Some of the projects that will be constructed will be Giant 3d letters, Silly Screamers
(mini monsters), Clay Mini Buildings and /or Plaster Masks. Sketchbooks and drawings would be used for planning sculptures. This
class is unique. It does not repeat projects done with regular 7 th grade art. You can sign up for both.
WORLD LANGUAGES
French or Spanish Exploratory
Level I French/Spanish focuses on the development of students’ communicative competence in French and their understanding of the
culture(s) of francophone countries. In Level I French/Spanish classes, students learn to communicate in real-life contexts about
topics that are meaningful to them. Students are encouraged to use the French/Spanish language as much as possible to develop in the
areas of speaking and writing (for communication), listening and reading (as a receptive process), and speaking and writing (for
presentation). Storytelling is a primary vehicle for accomplishing competence in these three areas. Grammar is not taught separately;
rather it is integrated into instruction according to the vocabulary and structures needed in the various situations in which the student is
required to function.
NOTE: You must take the French or Spanish exploratory in 7 th grade in order to take for high school credit in 8 th grade.
8th GRADE EXPLORATORIES
OPTIONS: Choose two 45 minute blocks
ART
8th grade art is a yearlong exploratory, which meets every other day for half a block. Experimentation is the major concentration,
allowing room for more personal expression within set parameters. Symbols are a strong part of the curriculum, used within projects
such as pictograms, aboriginal art, spirit masks, expressive portraits, sculpture and film.
AVID
AVID elective is available only to students who apply and are admitted to the class. The class meets for 45 minutes daily throughout
the year. Students accepted to the AVID elective learn WICOR strategies, participate in tutorials twice per week, and participate in
enrichment and motivational activities that make college goals more attainable. Students enrolled in AVID are typically required to
enroll in at least one advanced/honors core class in addition to the AVID elective.
This is an application process so you will not see this course listed as an option. If you are interested, you will apply in the spring, and
we will work with you on adjusting your exploratory/PE schedule.
BAND
Prerequisite: Completed 7th grade band or passed playing test given by the director.
The 8th grade band meets for 45 minutes every other day for the entire school year and is designed to transition the students into high
school level music. The rehearsal is rigorous and the music is much more challenging. It is strongly encouraged that all 8 th grade
students take lessons from a private instructor. Students in the 8 th grade band will be required to memorize scales and perform regular
playing tests. They will typically perform at least 3 concerts each year. 8 th grade students are strongly encouraged to try out for Alldistrict band and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students will be required to practice 130 minutes a week.
CHORUS
8TH Grade Chorus is a performance-based program that focuses on singing in three and four parts, developing advanced singing skills,
sight-reading and music history and theory. Students will be exposed to various styles of vocal music, including classic, jazz and
popular music. Students will have many opportunities to perform during the year, including winter and spring concerts, festivals and
the possibility to participate in honors and district choirs. Participation and a good attitude towards singing and performing will help
you earn an excellent grade in chorus.
DRAMA
We will begin our year with learning the skills of communication, stage direction, and analyzing theater productions, and theater
vocabulary. This will include exploring body language, facial expression, and tone of voice, diction, and content of speech. The goal
is to familiarize ourselves with the actor’s basic performing techniques of speech projection, memorization, stage presence, as well as
writing our own texts and choosing scripts..
ENGINEERING: DESIGN AND BUILD
Students will use the engineering design process to solve unique problems in the world around them. They will apply their knowledge
of design to meaningful problems using microcontrollers and electronics, advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing and
CNC machining, and materials processing. Students will learn to document their experience and communicate their problem-solving
process.
LEADERSHIP, ENTREPENURSHIP, AND INNOVATION
Students will learn concepts and techniques for planning an innovative business and living the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Students will
study effective leadership principles and innovative problem-solving skills
MECHATRONICS
Students will learn how to modify and control the world around them through the use of design, programming, and electronics.
Students will learn programming and electronics through the use of microcontrollers. Students will use computer-aided design
software and advanced manufacturing technologies (3D printing, die cutting, CNC machining, etc.) to create physical objects. The
three systems of computer programming, electronics, and design will be combined to create mechanical-electrical devices that are
computer controlled.
PROGRAMMING: MEDIA AND GAMING
Students will use a variety of platforms to code computer programs and/or create multimedia projects that impact and interest them.
Students will learn to evaluate their work and others’ as part of the self-improvement process.
PERSONAL LIFE SKILLS AND CAREER PATHWAYS
Students develop personal life skills related to smart consumerism, personal finance, and nutrition and wellness. Students explore
related careers in health care and apparel design, construction, and marketing.
SKILLS FOR 21ST CENTURY
Skills for the 21st Century is a course for students who are interested in learning more about the AVID elective before applying for
admission to the elective class. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of WICOR strategies used in AVID, like tutorials,
philosophical chairs, organizational skills, Socratic Seminars and much more. Students will learn about college through research, guest
speakers, and a visits to local campus. This course aims to prepare students to take on the challenge of advanced/honors courses in the
following school year while also building interpersonal skills.
STRINGS
Students should have at least one year of experience on their string instrument and be able to read music and perform on their
instrument. Students will perform in a winter and spring concert AND in District Orchestra Festival and a national competition to
receive feedback from judges. Participation in a beginning or intermediate orchestra in 6th grade OR an audition is required to sign up
for this class. Participation in the annual spring orchestra competition trip is optional.