Creative Writing

Students explore various genres of writing including the following: fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, poetry, drama, mystery, and science fiction. In this class, students write from teacher-directed prompts, students choose writing topics, or they may create topics of their own. Character development, plot building, irony, and other short story elements are explored.

Career Clusters Technologies

The Career Clusters Technologies course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of careers available to them upon high school and college graduation. Careers in architecture, engineering, healthcare, and aviation are among the many careers discussed in the

class. Community leaders and business and industry entrepreneurs frequently visit the class in order to share their experiences in the “real world” with the students. The Career Clusters Technologies students complete several “hands-on” projects throughout the class in order to gain insight into some of the activities that accompany specific careers. Among the many projects that students complete, students learn to design and program robots, learn to fly airplanes through flight simulator software, as well as use 3D architectural modeling software to design houses.

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that accompanies this class. TSA is a co-curricular student organization in which students develop leadership, communication, and citizenship skills through their participation. In TSA, students learn the correct manner in which to introduce themselves, properly tie a dress tie, and work in teams.

A student who is searching to find a career that is right for him or her and develop the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st   Century should join the Florence Middle School Career Clusters Technologies course.

Television Production

Television Production is a feeder program for students who are interested in pursuing Television Production at the high school level. This course is designed to be student-driven as participants will collaborate to develop scripts, record segments, edit clips using video software, and publish a weekly newscast. Students will work simultaneously to create individual projects (ex. personal narratives, screencast demonstrations, whiteboard videos, etc.) as well. In order to be successful, students should be self-directed, responsible, have a good work ethic, and be able to collaborate with classmates.

Current Events

The focus of this class is to learn about what is going on in our world. Students will study about issues that are facing our country and countries around the globe. Students will look deeper into issues that are facing countries and brainstorm solutions for such problems. Students will also get to participate in a Fantasy Football type competition where they choose countries and receive points based on the number of times those countries are mentioned in the New York Times. This competition will take place throughout the course of the semester. Students will be required to stay up-to-date on what is happening in other areas around the world so that they can make smart trades and decisions when choosing countries.

Guitar I

Students in this course will learn and master the fundamentals of music including, but not limited to: reading, counting, singing, improvising, and performing on the guitar. Each student will be exposed to and build both technical and musical skills through performance and active listening. In order for this to occur, students must participate in class.

You do not need to own your own guitar but it is encouraged for students to have one at home that they use for practice. Regular assessments will help students showcase what they have practiced and learned.

Guitar II

Guitar II-(Prerequisite Guitar I) A continuation of the skills and concepts learned in Guitar I or students must already possess basic skills in guitar. Students will explore mainstream genres on the guitar in a student-driven flipped-classroom environment. Students will use technology including Fender Play and other materials to drive their learning.

Band

Intermediate Band

The Intermediate Band is open to 7th and 8th grade students with one year previous band experience. Students without one year previous band experience may audition at the end of the Fall semester for placement in the Spring. Students in the Intermediate Band review the basics and fundamental of beginning band and perform various music at the grade 1-2 level. The Intermediate Band performs annually during the semesters for the following:

• School functions
• Concerts
• Music Performance Assessment

Students in the Intermediate Band are also encouraged to participate in the many events offered to middle school band students such as: Shoals Area Honor Band, Alabama All-State and District Honor Bands, Collegiate Honor Bands, Solo and Ensemble festivals.

*Students are required to provide an instrument and method books

Beginning Band

The beginning band is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. No prior music experience needed! In the Spring, students are fitted for an instrument that best suits them. Once the instrument fitting process is complete and a student has an instrument, they begin the basics and fundamentals of Band! These include:

• Reading Music!
• Instrument Assembly!
• Producing a Quality Sound!
• And Much MORE!

The Beginning Band performs annually at the end of the semesters , but at the end of the first semester, students are allowed to audition for the next level of band. Following a successful audition, students are then moved to the next level of Band for the remainder of the year.

*Students are required to provide an instrument and method books.

Journalism Grades

This course is the study of and practice of: gathering and analyzing information, interviewing, and photography for the purpose of writing, editing and publishing the school's yearbook. This class emphasizes teamwork, where students are expected to work collaboratively and learn the process of publishing a yearbook with accuracy, effective photography, design layout, fair and equal student representation, successful advertising, professional communication skills, and time management. Students will also learn important advertising techniques to help promote yearbook sponsorship and sales. This course may require work outside of class time to cover school events.

Introduction to Foreign Language

Exploration of French, Latin, German, and Spanish to help students determine the language that will be their high school focus for the required language credit.

Teen Discoveries/Connection

The Teen Discoveries course places an emphasis on managing personal and family relationships, consumer and housing decisions, child care skills, clothing care/construction, and food preparation/nutrition. Class activities explore the Human Services and Hospitality and Tourism Programs available at the High School.

FCCLA is the optional affiliated Career and Technical Education Student Organization and offers Community Service activities and State and National competitive opportunities.

Speech and Debate

While there is some group and individual debating, the main focus is on sharpening public speaking skills. Each semester, there will be at least five types of formal speeches given: demonstrative, informative, persuasive, narrative, and impromptu. The class will also include other activities that relate to performing arts.

Introduction to Theater

In this course, students explore the elements of theatre - basic acting techniques, improvisation, script interpretation, and an introduction to musical theatre. Course is perfect for students who are interested in learning about acting or refining their skills before auditioning for Theatre II.

Theater II - Production and Performance

In this advanced level course, students refine performance and production skills. The course is designed for the serious theatre student interested in pursuing a FAFA high school track at the high school level and beyond. Students dive into multiple acting techniques, improvisation, script analysis, musical theatre, and Shakespeare. (Students are selected through audition.)

Visual Arts

Semester-length course to introduce and develop basic art and design knowledge and skills. Various media and technology will be explored.

Studio Arts

Semester-length course to refine and develop skills and knowledge with various media. Portfolio of artwork will be gathered for use in application to FAFA at the high school.

Orchestra (Strings) Beginners and Advanced

Beginning orchestra students will learn to play a violin-family instrument. This class is for students interested in beginning studying orchestral instruments: violin, viola, ‘cello, and double bass. The orchestra classes for the more advanced student will deepen their understanding of musical technique and pedagogy.

Chorus

The various classes are divided into several performing groups- 7th grade girls chorus, 8th grade girls chorus, boys chorus, and a combined concert chorus. The students are given the opportunity to participate in the UNA Honor Choir, Alabama All-State Chorus, State Choral

Performance Assessment, Solo/Ensemble Performance Assessment, Winter and Spring Concerts and the school-wide Talent Show.

Stagecraft

Students will be introduced to the basics of technical theatre. Did you ever wonder “How did they do that?” Stagecraft students learn about all of the "behind the scenes" activities of theatre like special effects, set building, lighting, sound, scenic painting, properties, and costuming. Students will experience these aspects in a classroom setting and study the design process. This is an excellent exploration of the idea "How do creative people create?"

Spanish I

Spanish I is an introductory course in the language and customs of Spanish-speaking nations. Using oral methods, the student learns to speak, read and listen. Simple vocabulary and situations strengthen memory lessons learned from tests, CD’s, DVDs, websites, computer software and workbooks. Vocabulary is added to the words and expressions already learned during the second semester. Verb usage is also added, and the student begins to experiment with more realistic situations in which to use Spanish.

French I

Based on an oral approach, the teacher takes the student through the text-and-video course to become familiar with the French language, people and customs. It introduces the basic French sounds, alphabet and vocabulary, using conversational situations about school, clothes, colors, buildings and families. Connections are made to other subject areas, and comparisons are shown to the student's own language and culture. The student becomes familiar with various grammatical structures such as subject-verb combinations and adjective-antecedent agreements.

Coding/Computer Science

Coding provides students with an introduction to HTML/CSS by making web pages as well as Javascript to make simple, interactive cards and games while integrating real world problem solving skills.

Coding II

Coding II builds upon the skills from the previous course by allowing students to design and create a prototype app to help solve a problem. Students will also collect, analyze, visualize, and make automated decisions using data, and explore the relationship between hardware and software, while building interactive projects.