Middle School Fine Arts

Middle School Visual Arts Program (Grades 6–8)

Our Middle School Visual Arts program is designed to deepen students’ artistic understanding, independence, and personal expression. Building on skills learned in earlier grades, the 6th–8th grade curriculum challenges students to think, create, and respond as developing artists while making meaningful connections between art, learning, and life.

Creating: Developing Artistic Ideas & Skills

Students learn to approach artmaking with curiosity and intention. Throughout Grades 6–8, they:

Generate and refine creative ideas
Select appropriate materials and methods—both traditional and contemporary
Experiment with a wide range of media, techniques, and digital tools
Keep visual and verbal records of their process through sketchbooks or digital portfolios
Revise and improve their artwork as they grow

This stage of learning encourages students to take creative risks and develop confidence in their abilities.

Presenting: Preparing Artwork for an Audience

Students also learn how to showcase their artwork professionally by:

Planning, preparing, and presenting completed pieces
Considering how display techniques, materials, and presentation choices support the artwork’s meaning
Participating in classroom and school-based exhibitions

These experiences help students understand the full artistic process—from idea to finished presentation.

Responding: Building Visual Literacy & Critical Thinking

A key part of the middle school program is helping students thoughtfully engage with artwork. Students learn to:

Reflect on the personal, historical, and cultural context of artworks
Critique their own creations as well as the work of peers
Participate in individual and collaborative discussions
Use art criticism to deepen visual literacy and appreciation

Through these practices, students gain confidence expressing their ideas and interpreting the world around them.

Connecting: Art in Life, Culture, and Community

Our curriculum helps students connect art to broader life experiences by:

Developing a personal artistic voice
Practicing life skills such as problem‑solving, communication, and perseverance
Drawing on diverse resources—including artists, cultural traditions, and digital media—to extend learning beyond the classroom

These connections foster creativity, personal growth, and cultural awareness.

Additional Opportunities for Students

Art Club (Grades 6–8)

Offered twice a month during Canes Time, Art Club gives students additional opportunities to:

Work on unique or advanced projects
Explore new materials
Collaborate with fellow art enthusiasts

It’s a welcoming space for students who want to further develop their artistic interests.

Spring Exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum

Each spring, a select group of students have the special honor of showcasing their artwork in an exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum.
This experience celebrates student achievement and allows young artists to share their work with the broader community in a professional setting.

Middle School Instrumental Music Program (Grades 6–8)

Our Middle School Instrumental Music program is designed to guide students from developing musicians to confident, skilled performers. Through a blend of music literacy, performance, creativity, and real‑world experiences, students learn to express themselves artistically while growing their technical and musical understanding.

Developing Comprehensive Music Literacy

Students build strong foundational knowledge that allows them to read, understand, and interpret music with increasing independence. Throughout the middle school years, musicians learn:

Music notation, theory, and terminology
Rhythm reading, intervals, scales, and key signatures
Basic transposition skills
Musical form and structure
Techniques for writing and sight‑reading music

These skills help students become thoughtful, analytical musicians who understand how music works.

Building Strong Performance Skills

Middle school performers work steadily to strengthen their technique and musicianship. Instruction focuses on:

Tone quality, posture, and breath control
Articulation, dynamics, phrasing, and tempo
Expanded ranges on their instrument
Vibrato (as developmentally appropriate)
Ensemble skills and teamwork
Performing in a variety of meters and rhythmic styles

Students learn to play with confidence, expression, and musical intention.

Strengthening Ear Training & Intonation

Ear training is essential for musical success. Students develop:

Pitch discrimination and tuning skills
Awareness of their instrument’s natural intonation tendencies
Understanding of chord structures and how their part fits within an ensemble
The “three parts of the note” (attack, sustain, and release) for better musical control

These skills help students refine their sound and contribute meaningfully to the group.

Gaining Instrumental Proficiency & Care Knowledge

Students also learn to care for and take pride in their instruments. Instruction includes:

Proper assembly and holding position
Routine maintenance and cleaning
Understanding fingering systems and correct hand position
Using appropriate accessories
Producing characteristic tone on their instrument

This ensures that students develop healthy habits that support long‑term success.

Engaging in Creative Musicianship

Beyond performance, students explore music as creators. They engage in:

Melody and rhythm creation
Improvisation‑style activities
Composing with and without formal notation

These experiences help students understand music from a composer’s perspective and encourage creative risk‑taking.

Developing Cultural & Artistic Awareness

Our curriculum helps students connect music to the world around them by exploring:

Diverse musical styles, genres, and traditions
Influential composers and cultural perspectives
The role of music in education, society, and daily life
Expressive performance techniques that communicate meaning

Students grow not only as musicians, but as culturally aware learners.

Participating in Authentic Music Experiences

Middle school musicians gain valuable real‑world experience through:

Performing and attending concerts
Learning audition and rehearsal procedures
Preparing and performing solos
Using self‑assessment and critical listening to improve

These opportunities help students grow as independent, reflective musicians.

Additional Enrichment Opportunities

Middle school instrumental music students also have access to exciting extracurricular experiences, including:

Jazz Band

Students explore jazz style, improvisation foundations, and ensemble playing.

Chamber Groups

Small‑ensemble performance builds confidence, leadership, and musicianship.

Solo & Ensemble

Students prepare individual or small‑group works and receive feedback from adjudicators.

Across these experiences, students explore music literature ranging from grade levels 1–3, helping them progress at an appropriate pace while experiencing diverse repertoire.

Middle School Vocal Music Program (Grades 6–8)

Middle School Theatre Arts Program (Grades 6–8)

Our Middle School Theatre Arts program guides students through a rich and engaging exploration of acting, script writing, performance, design, critique, and the cultural significance of theatre. Each grade level builds progressively, helping students grow as confident communicators, creative thinkers, and collaborative performers.

6th Grade Theatre Arts

Sixth grade Theatre Arts introduces students to the foundational skills of acting, script writing, technical theatre, and theatrical analysis. Students learn to make artistic choices, communicate through verbal and non‑verbal expression, understand character motivations and relationships, and work collaboratively as part of an ensemble. They practice creating simple scripts using story elements, dialogue, and stage directions, and participate in both formal and informal performance activities. In addition, students explore theatre design basics, learn to engage respectfully as audience members, and develop their ability to critique performances. Throughout the year, they also make meaningful connections between theatre, real‑life experiences, other art forms, and cultural and historical contexts.

7th Grade Theatre Arts

Seventh grade builds on these foundations by deepening students’ abilities in character development, ensemble work, dramatic structure, and performance technique. Students refine their vocal and physical expression, take on more complex roles, and strengthen their script‑writing and storytelling skills. They begin to analyze productions with greater independence, explore theatre careers and responsibilities in more depth, and study how theatre reflects and influences society. This year challenges students to take more creative risks and become thoughtful, intentional artists.

8th Grade Theatre Arts

In eighth grade, students move into more advanced performance and production experiences. They refine their acting skills, create more polished scripts, and integrate researched artistic choices into their work. Technical theatre becomes more prominent as students explore lighting, sound, costume, and scenic design at a deeper level. They also study theatre’s historical and cultural contexts, gaining a broader understanding of how theatre shapes—and is shaped by—communities. Leadership, collaboration, and creative independence are key themes throughout the year.

Additional Theatre Opportunities

8th Grade Musical Theatre

All 8th grade musical theatre students participate in the fall musical production, either onstage or behind the scenes. This hands‑on experience teaches responsibility, teamwork, and authentic theatre production skills.

Spring Musical (Grades 6–8)

Students in all middle school grades may:

Audition to perform
Apply to work backstage or on technical crews

This opportunity allows students to shine in a full‑scale production environment.

Community Theatre Connections

Students may also participate in local theatre programs, including:

The Grand Theatre
Act 1 Academy
Other community performing arts groups

These programs extend learning and provide additional performance and training opportunities.