Page Middle Exploratory Classes

6th Grade Agriculture

In 6th grade Agriculture, students will cover the following subjects

• History of Agriculture/FFA
• Intro to Plant/Soil Science
• Intro to Animal Science
• Intro to Natural Resources
• Agriculture Careers

7th Grade Agriculture

In 7th grade Agriculture, students will cover the following subjects

• History of Agriculture/FFA
• Intro to Plant/Soil Science
• Intro to Animal Science
• Intro to Natural Resources
• Intro to Agriscience

8th Grade Agriscience

8^th grade agriculture is Agriscience, a full year class where the student can earn a high school credit.

Agriscience is an introductory laboratory science course that prepares students for biology, subsequent science and agriculture courses, and postsecondary study. This course helps students understand the important role that agricultural science and technology plays in the twenty-first century. In addition, it serves as the first course for all programs of study in the Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources cluster. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared for success in more advanced agriculture and science coursework.

Middle grade art classes are intended to expand on the understanding and skill sets originally developed in elementary classes, as well as prepare students for creative thinking in future artistic and academic studies. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning experiences within and outside of the art room. Students learn about, discuss, and critique artwork created by different peoples and cultures from around the world. Through these studies, students explore and deepen their understanding a variety of art media, techniques, and processes.

Contact Evan Burton  or Carolyn Hankins 

The Page Middle School Band is made up of about 300 students who enjoy making music. The Page Band performs several concerts each year, as well as playing at Pep Rallies, school events, and one football game. The Page Band has several students each year that qualify for All Mid-State Band and the Williamson County Honor Band, and the Page Band consistently receives Superior ratings at the MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment. Membership is open to any interested 6th grade students, with no experience required. 7th and 8th grade band is open to any student who has been in the band before.

Beginning Band (6th grade)

Membership is open to any 6th grade student who wishes to learn the fundamentals of playing a typical school band instrument. These instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, French horn, and percussion. Students will learn the foundations that will ensure their success as future band members, such as learning to read music, producing a good tone, assimilating music history and theory, and playing and performing individually and as a group. The Beginning Band traditionally performs two concerts. Students who are achieving at a high level are also encouraged to participate in a Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students are expected to practice individually in preparation for class and to attend all performances.

Concert Band (7th grade)

Membership is open to 7th grade students who have at least one year experience playing their instrument. The course is a continuation of the technical training started in the 6th grade. Students will expand their playing ability, improve their range, tone, and technique, enhance their ensemble skills, continue to assimilate music history and theory, and perform individually and as a group. Students will perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts and for pep rallies. Students achieving at a high level will be encouraged to audition for the MTSBOA Mid-state Bands and also Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students are expected to practice individually in preparation for class and to attend all performances.

Symphonic Band (8th grade)

Membership is open to 8th grade students who have at least two years of experience on their instrument. Students will continue to expand their playing ability, improve their range, tone and technique, refine their ensemble skills, apply music history and theory skills, and perform individually and as a group. Students will perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts, school assemblies for special occasions, and pep rallies. Students achieving at a high level will be encouraged to audition for the MTSBOA Clinic Bands and also Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students will attend the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association Concert Performance Assessment in the spring. This band also performs for various school and community functions. Students are expected to practice individually in preparation for class and to attend all performances.

Jazz Band (7th and 8th grade)

Jazz Band is an after-school ensemble which studies Swing, Latin, Be-Bop, Bossa, and Rock styles of music in a true Jazz instrument setting.  This group is selected by audition and is open to 7th and 8th grade students that are enrolled in the Band Class during Exploratory.

Class Info:

6th: Intro to Theatre: Students explore the fundamentals of theatre. A variety of activities and assignments will give a broad introduction to theatre as a discipline and art form. Students will learn how to evaluate and critique a piece of work. Students will also have a culminating project based on The Hero’s Journey in a theatrical work. All students participate during in-class presentations to begin building public speaking skills.

7th: Intro to Production: Students explore the process of creating a show. Students will learn about different careers in theater, the different genres, and the many facets of production. Students will learn how to evaluate and critique a piece of work. Students will have a culminating project in which they design and create an artifact or performance piece based on a Broadway show. All students will participate during in-class presentations or performances.

8th: Intro to Performance: Students will explore character building through monologue and scene work. Students learn how to create a three-dimensional character from provided text. Students will be exposed to different styles of theatre and will work on stage movement. Students will continue to build their critique writing. Students will participate in a culminating in-class performance of a monologue or scene of their choice. All students participate in performance.

Year Round Theatre: Students will explore a variety of theatrical genres, intensives, and projects covering performance, production, writing, history, and critique. Students will participate in readers theater, script writing, musical theatre performance and creation. Students will prepare pieces for Thesfest, and they will have an opportunity to explore the technical side of theatre. There are several in-class performances tied to this course.

6^th and 7^th Grade Graphic Design:

In this course, students will get to learn graphic design fundamentals. They will implement these skills through various digital projects such as: poster design, emoji creation, sticker making, etc.

8^th Grade CAD/Drafting

In this course, students will study and create their own basic floorplans such as: kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, etc. I will teach them basics on architecture code when creating these floorplans as well as how one may style and organize these drawings. We will do a mix of hand and computer-aided design/drafting (dependent on resource availability).

Multimedia class covers multimedia concepts, processes, and applications utilizing text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.

6th Grade String Orchestra Class:

The 6^th grade string orchestra program is open to beginning students, as well as those who already play, for the violin, viola, cello or (upright/string) bass. The class will focus on introducing students to the instruments, as well as providing differentiated instruction for students with previous experience. The students will learn the basics of their instrument, music notation, ear training, music history, basic musicianship, as well as teamwork. These are areas that will continue to be developed as a student continues through the strings program. Performances typically happen in October, December, March, and May. Students with previous experience are encouraged to register for this course to be eligible for additional performance opportunities. (Full Year)

7th Grade String Orchestra Class:

The 7^th grade string orchestra class is open to students with at least one year prior instrumental experience playing the violin, viola, cello or (string/upright) bass. (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience.) The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Performances typically happen in October, December, March, and May. Students in this ensemble will also perform for adjudication at the MTSBOA Concert Festival, have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7th & 8th Mid-State Orchestra and participate in the Williamson County Honors Orchestra. (Full Year)

8th Grade String Orchestra Class:

The 8^th grade string orchestra class is open to students with at least one year prior instrumental experience playing the violin, viola, cello or (string/upright) bass. (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience.) The class will focus on refining intonation, developing characteristic tone, rhythmic accuracy, note-reading literacy, ensemble development and additional musicianship skills. Students will have the opportunity to work in small chamber groups and perform at school events. Performances typically happen in October, December, March, and May. Students in this ensemble will also perform for adjudication at the MTSBOA Concert Festival, have the opportunity to audition for the MTSBOA 7th & 8th Mid-State Orchestra and participate in the Williamson County Honors Orchestra. (Full Year)"

Physical Education is an important part of the total educational program. Students participate in physical activities that allow them to develop an understanding of the physical abilities of themselves and others. This course provides students with the opportunity to learn a variety of sports and sport-related movements as well as fitness concepts. Students become aware of the social benefits of physical activity through participation. The mental and emotional benefits of physical activity become evident when an active role in physical activity is encouraged. With a strong emphasis placed on active participation and positive social interaction during fitness and sports activities.

The total development of students is the goal of the educational system. Physical Education is a vital part of reaching this goal. A variety of activities are incorporated into the physical education program. Activities vary from creative movement to lifetime sports. The age level of the individuals is a factor determining what activity is to be provided, but the outcome at any level should be the same.  All students have the need and right to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Through a creative and well-rounded physical education program, students will benefit.

Spanish is offered to 6^th - 8^th graders. Students who choose Spanish to take Spanish as a high school credit will take a full year of Spanish in both 7^th and 8^th grade. This will be equivalent to one full world language credit upon passing the course. It is treated as a core subject during the 8^th grade year and will have a midterm and final.

6^th grade students will complete a 9-week rotation to see if they want to continue with Spanish their 7^th and 8^th grade years.

Students will learn to read, speak, write, and listen in Spanish. Students will be able to communicate on a very basic level in Spanish.