Connections ClassesCurriculum Night 2012-13Art Chorus/General MusicAgriculture Connections MathBand Engineering & TechnologyBusiness Healthy LivingCareer Development Physical Education

ART CONNECTIONSVisual Arts Instructor Melissa Ball

Art Program Concentrations

6th grade-Portfolio Design, Sketchbooks, Shading, 1 point Perspective, Compass Drawings, Slab Clay Owls, Weaving Bags, Color Theory, OP Art, Watercolor, Oil Pastel, Self Portrait Collage7th grade-Portfolio Design, Sketchbooks, Shading, 1 point Perspective, Curve Stitching, Slab Clay Box, Coiled Baskets, Color Theory, Watercolor, Self Portraits, Pastel Flowers8th grade-Portfolio Design, Sketchbooks, Shading, 2 point Perspective, Tessellations, Clay Characters, Collage Expression w/ Weaving, Color Theory, Tie Dye T-Shirts, Watercolor, Art Careers, Grid Self Portrait

Annual YOUTH ART Exhibit

March is National Youth Art Month All school year, the most outstanding student art

work is selected for exhibition along with student works from every Fannin County School at the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association.

Exploring AgricultureJeff Willbanks This class is designed to explore agriculture

and natural resources. Students will gain an understanding of how agriculture

affects their lives daily, and learn how agriculture and its industries employ Georgians.

Students will learn how plants and animals grow. This class will also introduce students to the National FFA

Organization, the best student organization in the U.S. Exploring Agriculture classes will be a combination of

classroom instruction, outdoor/indoor labs, a SAE project and the FFA.

Band Regular practice at home ensures student success.

This is considered your homework assignment. Please see www.fannincountyband.org for a list of

all events and info with the high school and middle school bands.

If you wish to receive emails from the Fannin County Band Boosters, please be sure to turn in the Student information sheet given to your child in band class.

Band – 6th, 7th, and 8th GradesJulia Barnstead Weekly grades are determined by the following

procedure: 50% (20 points per 90 minute day, 10 points on

Friday) class participation/bringing materials 50% Weekly practice logs Test grades are determined on the following

schedule:Bi-weekly playing testsScheduled Performances (Please see syllabus)

Important Dates – Band

September 10 6th grade rental night/meeting 5 PM WW/6PM BR September 12 Money due for District Honor Band auditions (7th and

8th only) September 15 Start date for 6th graders 9 – 11:30 a.m. October 28 7th, 8th and HS Band Concert, 3PM, FCHS PAC November 9 1 PM Veteran’s Day performance, FCMS Gym

(8th grade only) December 1 Honor Band auditions (select students only) December 13 7th and 8th grade Christmas Concert,

FCHS PAC 7 PM December 16 6th grade and high school Christmas Concert,

FCHS PAC, 3 PM February 1-2 District Honor Band (select students only) TBA (March) 7th, 8th & HS Winter Concert

(LGPE pre-concert) PAC TBA (March) LGPE Competition May 14 6th & 7th Grade Spring Concert

Business Connections I – 6th gradeDiane Bailey

This class is designed to introduce students to basic touch typing, word processing, and multimedia presentation software packages.

Students will be graded on their performance during keyboarding as well as various class projects involving the various software.

Homework is rarely given in this class as all the work is predominately done during class time. Students should be encouraged to practice their new keyboarding skills at home whenever possible.

Business Connections II - 7th GradeDiane Bailey

This class expands on the student’s basic knowledge of keyboarding and computer usage. Students will use the skills they learned last year to produce documents and multimedia presentations.

Most of the work is done during class. This work is both computer generated as well as using handouts and other materials.

Homework is rarely necessary if the student uses their time in class wisely.

Business Connections III - 8th gradeDiane Bailey

This class is designed to introduceeighth grade students to some of theclasses they will be offered during high school.

The subjects they will study involve economics, personal finance, business law, as well as utilizing critical thinking skills.

Homework is rarely given as students have more than ample class time to complete work.

Career Awareness – 6th GradeLauren Seber “Who Am I?” - The goal of this course is to promote

essential skills and knowledge students need to develop a positive self-concept. The course will provide students with opportunities to identify interests, abilities, aptitudes values and personality traits as they relate to career planning, to develop a keen understanding of the valueof work, and to differentiate between jobs and careers.

Career Development – 7th Grade “Where Am I Going?” - The goal of this course is to

apply self-assessments and decision making skills while examining career concentrations and pathways. This course will expose students to positive work ethics, and the importance of societal issues

on career choices. These essential components are necessary for educational and career planning

success.

Career Management – 8th Grade The goal of this course is to

promote essential skills and attitudes students need to make key decisions about career options, high school course offerings, and post secondary/workforce opportunities. In this course, students will increase awareness of resources available to support educational and career planning.

General Music –7th& 8th GradeSharra Clemons • In this class students will learn the basics of music

including:• Reading and notating music• Basic rhythms and rhythm patterns• Singing in a group, using correct pitches and technique

• Students daily grades will be based on class participation, worksheets, and quizzes

• Students will also receive test grades at the completion of a unit

Chorus– 7th & 8th GradeSharra Clemons• Due to class structure Chorus will take place mainly

during General Music Class where the students will learn:

• How to read and notate music• Basic Warm-ups• Basic Singing techniques• Note accuracy

• Chorus students will be required to participate in all choir performances

• There may be afterschool rehearsals for Chorus students; they will be notified at least two weeks ahead of time if they will meet afterschool.

Connections MathAlthea Gobble Math Connections is a class that offers

support with math concepts that are being taught in regular math classes. It is the goal of this class to provide students with the extra help needed to assist them in increasing their mathematical abilities. Math Connections is available to 6th , 7th, and 8th grade students.

Connections Math The classroom activities consist of

small group instruction, hands-onapplications, and the use of technology to build the students’math skills. Instruction consists ofthe review of math concepts that have already been taught and the previewof concepts that will be taught in the regular math classroom.

Engineering and Technology Phil PressleyThe purpose of Technology Education is to develop technological literacy through an activity-based study. Technology Education focuses on systems of communication, energy/power-transportation, production, and bio-related technologies.

6th GradeExploring Technology

Exploring E&T introduces and has the student work through an engineering design process while looking at technological impacts on society. Exploring E&T reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical application and hands-on activities.

7th GradeInventions and Innovations Invention and Innovation is designed to

introduce students to the world of invention and innovation along with the Engineering Design Process. They will examine the impacts of invention and innovation on society and solve problems through research, design, and experimentation in one or more of the areas of Engineering and Technology.

8th GradeTechnological Systems

This course is designed for students to utilize the universal systems model including input, process, output and feedback. Students will examine various systems such as electrical, mechanical, structural, natural, and information and learn how various systems work together.

Technology Student Association

In addition to classroom and laboratory experiences, students may participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). Activities of TSA are an integral part of the instructional program because they promote leadership skills, high standards of craft quality, scholarship, and safety. Opportunities are provided for leadership development and competition in many areas related to engineering and technology.

Healthy LivingBuffy Chapman Students find learning about themselves really fun in

Health class. As students evaluate and improve the four areas of Health, they become very resourceful. Students create and perform skits, play charades, and design television commercials, game boards, and puzzles to address the Health standards being taught.

During Health enrichment, students are provided the opportunity to participate in guitar lessons, line dancing, and other health related activities.

Healthy LivingContents in Brief* Health and Wellness * Your Body Systems* Making Good Decisions * Growth and Development* Self Esteem * Coping with Conflict and Stress* Body Image * Physical Fitness* Friends and Family * Nutrition* Caring for Your Body * Controlling Disease* Health and Safety* Understanding Consequences of Drugs

Alcohol and Tobacco

Physical EducationCoaches Cindi Barnes and Steve Phillips

Pre and Post Presidential Fitness Testing is utilized to be able to see the students’ improvement. 

Daily activities such as hockey, volleyball, badminton, soccer, etc.

Daily weight room activities, jogging, and stretching on a daily basis and the teaching of many life long skills.