Fine Arts Curriculum | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

This course is an introduction to the elements of art – line, space, texture, value, shape, form and color – as well as the principles of design – balance, rhythm, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity. Students will use a variety of mediums such as graphite, paint, watercolor, colored pencils, pastels and clay to implement these elements and principles while studying various artists, their inspiration and techniques. In addition to creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, students will begin to explore composition. Students will be advised on a regular basis to present verbal and written critiques of class work.  At the completion of each comprehensive assignment, students will write a self-assessment of their work.

This course is a continuation of study of the elements of art and principles of design. This course will expand on the use of the elements of art – line, space, texture, value, shape, form and color – as well as the principles of design – balance, rhythm, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity.  Students continue their use of mediums and study of notable artists.  Students continue to develop verbal and written critiques through self-assessment of their work.

This course continues the development of elements of art and principles of design through the students' work. This course will expand further on the use of the elements of art – line, space, texture, value, shape, form and color – as well as the principles of design – balance, rhythm, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity. Students will be introduced on how to use a sketchbook to develop their creativity and planning before each assignment. Students are more informed when giving verbal and written critiques and self-assessments become more objective.

This semester-long course offers the student the opportunity to explore in depth the elements of art and design.  This course will focus on the use of the elements of art – line, space, texture, value, shape, form and color –with a concentration on how to incorporate the principles of design – balance, rhythm, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity. A comprehensive study of artists, their inspiration, and their techniques, coincide with units of study that lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of art concepts and principles of design.  Students will continue to work in sketchbooks to further their knowledge of planning and brainstorming. Students continue to communicate their interpretation of art through verbal and written critiques.

This course offers an exploration of the elements of art (line, space, texture, value, shape, form and color). Students will also discover the principles of design (balance, rhythm, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity). These elements and principles will be implemented by studying various artists, their inspiration and their techniques. A variety of mediums such as graphite, paint, watercolor, colored pencils, pastels, and clay will be used. Besides creating 2D and 3D work, students will be expected to participate in critiques, both verbal and written, and begin to explore what makes a composition work and not work. Students will also be expected to write a self-assessment after the completion of each comprehensive (long-term) assignment (1 credit).

This course is the continuation of study of the principles and elements of design.  Students continue to train in creating their own art, to study art history and to be coached to make critical judgments about art.  Units of study include color theory, drawing from observation, drawing in one and two point perspective, printmaking, still-life drawing and painting, self-portraits, figure drawing and drawing the landscape. Students will research and report on various art movements and their artists (1 credit).

Advanced Placement Drawing is modeled on a comparable college course.  This course offers students a college level course experience, and gives students the tools to be successful on the College Board Drawing Art portfolio.  At the end of the year, students are required to submit a two-part portfolio for evaluation that demonstrates a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods.   The course will be focused on developing a body of work called the sustained investigation along with a focus on the quality of selected works. This class allows the student to demonstrate an extensive knowledge of visual principles and Drawing skill such as mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition (1 credit).

Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design is modeled on a comparable college course.  This course offers students a college level art experience, and gives students the tools to be successful on the College Board 2-D Art and Design portfolio. The course focuses on a sustained investigation of a specific emphasis. Student demonstrate knowledge in visual principles and 2-D Art and Design skills of point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/group relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students are required to submit a two-part portfolio for evaluation that demonstrates a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods (1 credit).

Advanced Placement 3-D Art and Design is modeled on a comparable college course.  This course offers students a college level course experience, and gives students the tools to be successful on the College Board 3-D Art and Design portfolio.  The course focuses on a sustained investigation of a specific emphasis. Student demonstrate knowledge in 3-D Design skills such as point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, volume, mass, occupied/unoccupied space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. At the end of the year, students are required to submit a two-part portfolio for evaluation that demonstrates a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods. 

Advanced Placement Studio Art is modeled on a comparable college course.  This course offers students a college level course experience, and gives students the tools to be successful on the College Board Studio Art portfolio.  At the end of the year, students are required to submit a two-part portfolio for evaluation that demonstrates a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods.   The course will be focused on developing a body of work called the sustained investigation along with a focus on quality of selected works. This class allows the student to demonstrate an extensive knowledge of visual principles and two-dimensional material techniques (1 credit; weighted on a maximum 5 point scale).

This course takes an in-depth look into traditional art mediums. It will focus on drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, and more. Students will develop traditional skills in charcoal, graphite, and pastel. Students will also develop skills in acrylic, oil painting, silkscreen, mono-print, and block print (1 credit).

This course introduces students to digital medium as an instrument to create art. This course introduces the skills needed by students for careers in the commercial art fields. The concepts and skills covered include digital design, illustration, graphic design, photography, composite imaging, storyboarding, stop motion and video. The programs used for this course will be  Adobe photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, iMovie (1 credit).

This course is designed to explore digital communication, font design, editing software, and professional advertising through the understanding of the elements and principles of design. Students will creatively explore the design process, from idea development through the final execution of a document, animation, or digital collage (1 credit).

This course is an introduction to the elements of vocal music.  Students will be instructed in posture, breath support, correct vowel placement, some music history, and musical literacy in note naming and rhythms. Students will sing unison music, and will focus on what it means to work together as a choir to create one unified sound. 

This course continues to study the elements of vocal music. In addition students begin to learn solfege as a tool for music literacy. Students will sing two-part music and beginning harmonization with the voice.

This course continues to develop the skills learned in fifth and sixth grade choir. This choir begins to perform with the eighth grade choir, and is challenged with a wide-ranging amount of choral literature and harmonization. 

This course continues to develop the skills learned in fifth and sixth grade choir. This choir begins to perform with the eighth grade choir, and is challenged with a wide-ranging amount of choral literature and harmonization. 

This introductory course functions as a part of The Dunham School’s Upper School Choir.  Students focus on the integral methods and elements of music including sight-reading, ear training, and music theory.  Students will broaden their knowledge by exploring literature from various periods in music history.  Choir 1 students will have the opportunity to reinforce musical skills and techniques, by performing throughout the year at various venues and events for the Dunham community and beyond (1 credit).

This Honors credit course functions as a select auditioned ensemble that performs at the highest level. Students in this choir are also in the larger Upper School Choir as well. Students focus on the integral methods and elements of music including sight-reading, ear training, and music theory.  Students will broaden their knowledge by exploring literature from various periods in music history.  Honors choral students will have the opportunity to reinforce musical skills and techniques, by performing throughout the year at various venues and events for the Dunham community and beyond (1 credit).

This course is an introduction to movement studies.  It is designed to introduce the four basic movement concepts – body, space, effort and relationship.  Students will explore movement both physically and creatively.  Students will learn skills to develop physical strength and flexibility along with exercises designed to explore space and time. Students will execute visual form, spatial relationships, and patterning. Student’s comprehension will be evaluated as they perform exercises designed to explore space and time in small groups and individually.

Dance 6

This course is the continuation of movement studies.  Students are introduced to qualities of movement – sustained, percussive, suspended, swinging, and collapsing – while building on the four basic movement concepts.  Students will begin to explore the choreographic process by creating and performing movement studies.  Students will present a performance at the end of the nine weeks.

This course is the continuation of movement studies.  Students are introduced to qualities of movement – sustained, percussive, suspended, swinging, and collapsing – while building on the four basic movement concepts.  Students will begin to explore the choreographic process by creating and performing movement studies.  Students will present a performance at the end of the nine weeks.

This course continues to explore basic movement concepts and qualities of movement. Students continue to study the choreographic process through creating and manipulating movement material.  Student choreographers will use basic choreographic elements and tools such as space, time, dynamics, form and structure to create solo and ensemble works.  Students will present a performance at the end of the nine weeks.

This semester-long course is designed to give the student a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art of dance.  The student will learn fundamental concepts and vocabulary of classical ballet and modern dance.  Skills will develop sequentially through rigorous practice where refinement of anatomical placement, articulation, and dynamics are learned. Students create dances that use a variety of choreographic forms such as – AB, ABA, canon, rondo, theme and variation, retrograde, and chance. Essential to the performing art experience, students will present a performance at the end of the semester. 

This course is designed to introduce the beginning student to classical ballet; modern dance technique and vocabulary; and pilates.  Students refine dance technique through repeated execution of exercises at the barre and through sequence work in centre.  Much attention is given to conditioning and stretching as a means of cross-training for the beginning student and student-athlete (1 credit).

A continuation of the dance techniques and vocabulary learned in Advanced Dance I with a focus on choreography.  Students refine the skills used to create phrases of movement with a focus on performance.  Students are required to perform in the Fine Arts Festival (1 credit).

Prerequisite: Previous dance training is required.

This yearlong course is an introduction to instrumental music. It is designed to create a strong foundation in music literacy, tone production, posture, and performance skills for beginning band students. Students will learn the basic concepts of rhythm, pitch, tone production, style, and dynamics. Listening sessions will expose students to a variety of musical genres. Students will present performances quarterly.

This yearlong course is a continuation of Band 6.  Students will continue to develop and expand upon an understanding of basic musical concepts and vocabulary. The range of their instrument and technical facility will also be developed through daily individual and group practice. Students will learn intermediate-level middle school full band pieces, and will learn and perform multi-part pieces at quarterly showcases.

This yearlong course is a continuation of Band 6.  Students will continue to develop and expand upon an understanding of basic musical concepts and vocabulary. The range of their instrument and technical facility will also be developed through daily individual and group practice. Students will learn intermediate-level middle school full band pieces, and will learn and perform multi-part pieces at quarterly showcases.

This course is designed to provide students with an enriching and engaging experience with instrumental music. Students will learn performance techniques, music theory, and historical concepts of various genres of music. Focal points in this ensemble will include proper instrument techniques, development of quality and characteristic tone production, comprehension and performance of major and minor scales, and learning to perform in solo and ensemble settings. Members of this ensemble will perform in pep rallies, sporting events, festivals, and school concerts. Participation in a Middle School band class is encouraged (1 credit).

This Honors credit course functions as a select auditioned group of students that demonstrate high interest and skills in instrumental music. Students in this section rehearse and perform alongside the Crimson Band students, serving as section leaders and models of performance. Students will learn performance techniques, music theory, and historical concepts of various genres of music. Focal points in this ensemble will include proper instrument techniques, development of quality and characteristic tone production, comprehension and performance of major and minor scales, and learning to perform in solo and ensemble settings. Members of this ensemble will perform in pep rallies, sporting events, festivals, and school concerts, and may be invited to provide special music for Dunham-sponsored events (1 credit).

Drumline is a percussion course designed to provide students with an enriching and engaging experience with instrumental music. Students learn performance techniques, music theory, and historical concepts of various genres of music within the context of a percussion ensemble. Focal points in this ensemble will include proper instrument techniques, development of rudimental sticking techniques, comprehension and performance of major and minor scales, and learning to perform on a variety of percussion instruments in solo and group settings. Members of this ensemble also perform in pep rallies, sporting events, festivals, and school concerts, serving as the drumline for pep band and percussion ensemble with the Crimson and Silver Bands (1 credit).

An introduction to theater and performance.  Students will be introduced to improvisation through a series of group games.  Students will be introduced to short script readings and a short performance at the end of the quarter.  This class is designed to engage the young student in the excitement that theater can offer along with the opportunity to perform at the end of the quarter. 

This class is an introduction to theater games, improvisation, and script readings and performing. Students are able to experience auditioning and cold readings.  Students are encouraged to use imagination and creativity in group games.  Students will audition and receive roles to rehearse, memorize, and perform at the end of the quarter.  

This class is a continuation of previous theater classes.  Students will become more efficient at role playing, non verbal communication, and script readings.  Students will attempt to build an ensemble by the quarter’s end, incorporating teamwork, group think and character analysis.  Auditions and a larger showcase are rehearsed throughout the quarter along with improvisational games and scenes.

This class is a beginning step in exploring the fundamentals that secondary theater classes will offer. A semester long class,  8th graders will use improvisation and acting scenes to create group ensemble and character development.  Basic stage positions and terminology are used to help the performer at this stage.  Students will perform at the end of the semester.

This course is an Upper School introduction to the fundamental skills of theater art. Students will focus on creating group ensembles through techniques such as improvisation, scene studies, and character development. This course requires students to collaborate with each other in games, scenes, and scripts.  Monologues and scene partner work enable students to develop and grow self confidence and stage presence (1 credit).

This course is designed for the student actor who is looking to further their appreciation of the art of performing and participating in a working theater.  Students will dive deep into improvisation, playing a multitude of individual and group games. Students will use text and subtext to develop three dimensional characters, and will prepare and perform a number of dramatic and comedic monologues and scenes.  Students will read, study and perform from a multitude of scripts.  Students in Theatre II are expected to audition and perform (or work crew) for the school's fall play and/or spring musical (1 credit).