- Course Registration Guide
Course Descriptions
2023/24
High School Band level 1 and 2
(Grades 9-12; 1 Year; 1.0 credits)
Prerequisite: Basic instrument proficiency
The High School Band is a music ensemble based on the combination of rhythm section and traditional wind band instrumentation including flute, oboe, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba, percussion, and electric bass. Students in band create, connect, perform and respond to a wide variety of music from various genres of music. Units on composing, music theory, and performance skills are integral. We work on our individual instrument skills to improve musicality. We work as a group on our ensemble skills. In addition we contribute to the school community with our music performances. Any student may sign up for Band though previous experience with an instrument is expected.
Chorus
(Grades 9-12; 1 semester; .5 credit)
The High School Chorus focuses on developing vocal skills. Creating, connecting, performing, and responding to various genres of music. The purpose is developing an experiential understanding of healthy vocal technique, ensemble cooperation, and performance readiness. Through studied repertoire, students in the High School Chorus will also cover units on music theory as well acquire skills of music literacy and improvisation. We will contribute to the school community with our music performances. Everyone is welcome to join this class regardless of previous singing experience.
Guitar and Vocal level 1 and 2
(Grades 9-12; 1 semester; .5 credit)
This course is for students with an interest in music and will teach beginning guitar and vocal skills. From classical guitar ensembles to pop music. Students will learn the basics then branch out into individual or small groups to learn songs of their choice. We will play and sing a variety of music developing an appreciation for music and music performance. Units on Music theory, literacy, and performing will be covered. Informal performance experience will be part of the course. No experience necessary!
Guitar level II - this course will run simultaneously with guitar I - continue to learn new music strumming patterns and finger picking. We will build on the foundations from Guitar I (or prior experience) and create our own songs. A variety of performances will be given.
Introduction to Acting For Stage and Screen
(Grades 9-10; 1 year; 1.0 credit)
Students will be introduced to the world of theatre, film and begin to develop a basic understanding of the performance and production concepts associated with each. The class will focus on acting as a solo performer, acting in a group ensemble, directing, scene work, and script analysis. Students will both individually and collectively practice verbal and written performance critiques, learning to critically examine theirs, their classmates, and professional’s theatrical and cinematic works. This class covers a minimum of six to a maximum of nine individual units. Each unit culminates with a summative assessment, usually performative in nature. Sample units include topics such as “Stage Combat: Fighting for the Stage,” “Acting Across Genre of Film,” “Screen Writing” and “Directing for Stage and Screen.” All classes are conducted in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment. No previous theatre or film experience required. Recommended prerequisite to IB Film.
Introduction to Film Appreciation
(Grades 9-10; 1 semester; .5 credit)
Students will be introduced to film and cinema through an artistic aesthetic and analytical lens. Classes will focus upon film appreciation by examining a variety of world cinema and television across decades, genres and cultures. Activities will be both practical and theoretical in nature. Students will analyze how directors, cinematographers, editors and sound mixers use specific techniques to create tension, emotion, atmosphere and meaning. Class will consist of four units which will each culminate in a final assessment, which will be a variety of group and solo work. No previous film experience required. Recommended prerequisite to IB Film.
IBDP Film Standard Level
(Grades 11-12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IB Film is a practical and theoretical course in which students learn to analyze films and to create their own. They learn the skills necessary for becoming knowledgeable film critics and beginning filmmakers. Six major roles of filmmaking -- Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Designer, Screenwriter and Critic -- are explored and practiced throughout the course. Students further explore the key movements, theories and genres occurring throughout film history.
Standard Level Film students practice all four assessments their first year of the course in order to develop the necessary skills needed to be successful in these projects. However, Standard Level students are except from submitting the final assessment their second year. The assessments are:
- The Textual Analysis, a written analysis of a Film prescribed by the IB
- The Comparative Study, a 10-minute video essay comparing two films of the student’s choice
- The Film Portfolio, a collection of student-created footage, and a written rationale detailing the students work
- The Collaborative Film Project, a 7-minute film created together with a small group of classmates (practiced only in year one, not a year two assessment)
IBDP Film Standard Level students do not participate in traditional exams, and submit all project work by mid April of their second year. No previous Film experience required.
IBDP Film Higher Level
(Grades 11-12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IB Film is a practical and theoretical course in which students learn to analyze films and to create their own. They learn the skills necessary for becoming knowledgeable film critics and beginning filmmakers. Six major roles of filmmaking -- Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Designer, Screenwriter and Critic -- are explored and practiced throughout the course. Students further explore the key movements, theories and genres occurring throughout film history.
Higher Level Film students practice all four assessments their first year of the course in order to develop the necessary skills needed to be successful in these projects and submit a final version of these assessments their second year of study. The assessments are:
- The Textual Analysis, a written analysis of a Film prescribed by the IB
- The Comparative Study, a 10-minute video essay comparing two films of the student’s choice
- The Film Portfolio, a collection of student-created footage, and a written rationale detailing the students work
- The Collaborative Film Project, a 7-minute film created together with a small group of classmates
IBDP Film Higher Level students do not participate in traditional exams, and submit all project work by mid April of their second year. No previous Film experience required.
Printmaking
(Grades 9-12; 1 semester; .5 credit)
In this semester long course students will develop their creative abilities for making, interpreting, and evaluating visual art. This is a hands-on course where students will create personally-driven pieces that explore different artistic themes and ideas. Students will raise questions about the nature of art and its impact. This course explores the use of multiple printmaking methods to express one’s ideas and participate in creative problem solving. Some of these methods will include, but are not limited to: monotype, drypoint, linocut and collagraph. Students will be required to keep a Process Journal to document the development of their ideas and skills. Students in this arts course will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an exhibition at school.
Visual Arts 3D Focus
(Grades 9-12; 1 year; 1.0 credit)
In this year long course students will develop their creative abilities for making, interpreting, and evaluating visual art. This is a hands-on course where students will create personally-driven pieces that explore different artistic themes and ideas. Students will raise questions about the nature of art and its impact. This course explores the use of multiple 3-dimensional processes to express one’s ideas and participate in creative problem solving. Materials may include, but are not limited to: ceramics, papier-mache, wire, and carving. Students will be required to keep a Process Journal to document the development of their ideas and skills. Students in this arts course will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an exhibition at school.
IBDP Visual Arts Standard Level
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
The IB Visual Arts class is a Standard Level IB course offered as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. The learner will take on the role of researcher, explorer, creator, and curator. IB Art learners will submit a comparative study (an analysis and comparison of 3 different artworks by different artists) and process portfolio (9-18 book or digital pages that evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement throughout the course) for external assessment and complete an exhibition including 4-7 artworks, texts and a curatorial statement for internal assessment.
IBDP Visual Arts Higher Level
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
It should be noted that HL IB Visual Art is the same curriculum and uses the same assessment rubrics as SL but includes more work in each component of the course: 8-11 exhibition artworks, 18-25 process portfolio pages and an additional section of the comparative study, which connects the studied artworks to the student’s own body of exhibition work. At the high level, IB Visual Art students are expected to complete one artwork and accompanying process portfolio over each of the three long breaks. While not limited to any student, the pace of HL art is intended for students interested in continuing on in arts, design or architecture fields of study at the university level or for those who have a passion for the arts with previous art experience and are ready to work independently.
*At both the HL and SL levels, all work is independent and there are no collaborative projects.
IBDP Film Standard Level
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IB Film is a hands-on course in which students will learn to analyze films and to create their own. They will learn the skills necessary for becoming knowledgeable film critics and beginning filmmakers. Five major roles of filmmaking -- Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Designer, and Screenwriter -- are explored and practiced throughout the course. Students will also be introduced to the key movements and theories occurring throughout film history. Standard Level students in IB Film will submit three major assessments: The Textual Analysis, focused on a 5-minute scene from a chosen film, the Comparative Study, a 10-minute video essay comparing two films, and the Film Portfolio, a collection of student-created footage, including a 3-minute film and reflections demonstrating skills in 3 of the filmmaking roles.
IBDP Film Higher Level
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IB Film is a hands-on course in which students will learn to analyze films and to make their own. They will learn the skills necessary for becoming knowledgeable film critics and beginning filmmakers. Five major roles of filmmaking -- Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Designer, and Screenwriter -- are explored and practiced throughout the course. Students will also be introduced to the key movements and theories occurring throughout film history. Higher Level students in IB Film will submit four major assessments: The Textual Analysis, focused on a 5-minute scene from a chosen film, the Comparative Study, a 10-minute video essay comparing two films, the Film Portfolio, a collection of student-created footage, including a 3-minute film and reflections demonstrating skills in three of the filmmaking roles, and finally, HL students will submit the Collaborative Film Project, a 7-minute film created together with a small group of classmates,
Digital Photography
(Grades 9-12; Semester; 0.5 credit)
This hands-on course is an introduction to digital photography. Students will develop communication and creative skills using DSLR cameras and professional Adobe softwares (Photoshop and Lightroom). Project-based, the class will explore the different techniques and artistic process involved in making photographs, from the pre-production until the editing process. These include camera handling, composition, effective use of light, file management, digital image manipulation and developing a personal and artistic photographic vision. The course will culminate with a Photo Exhibition.