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Encore & Exploratory Classes
Family and Consumer Science (FACS)
6th/7th Grade Even Years (Fall)
This exploratory course is divided between the classroom and kitchens, exposing students to topics including personal finance, career exploration, interior design, and healthy preparation and consumption of foods.
6th/7th Grade Odd Years (Fall)
This exploratory course is divided between the classroom and kitchens, exposing students to topics including relationships, career exploration, textiles, and healthy preparation and consumption of foods.
8th Grade
This exploratory semester-long course is divided between the classroom and kitchens, exposing students to topics including kitchen safety and sanitation, knife skills, nutrients, cultural foods, food science and entrepreneurship, personal finance, and career exploration. This enhances the skills learned from Year 1 and Year 2 Family and Consumer Science courses.
Fine Arts
Art
6th and 7th Grade Visual Arts - Year 1
An introduction to art foundations that builds on the tools and techniques from previous art experiences. These courses are on a rotating schedule that will expose students to different materials and processes used when making art. Content and projects will cover the fundamentals of art needed for foundational art knowledge.
6th and 7th Grade Visual Arts - Year 2
An introduction to art foundations that builds on the tools and techniques from previous art experiences. These courses are on a rotating schedule that will expose students to different materials and processes used when making art. Content and projects will cover the fundamentals of art needed for foundational art knowledge.
8th Grade Visual Arts - 2D Drawing
This specialized art class challenges students to develop their drawing and creativity skills using a variety of dry materials. This class will prepare students for high school art classes and will focus on building art foundational skills.
8th Grade Visual Arts - 2D Painting
This specialized art class challenges students to develop their painting and creativity skills using a variety of wet materials. This class will prepare students for high school art classes and will focus on building art foundational skills.
8th Grade Visual Arts - 3D Sculpture
A specialized, exploratory art class that focuses on creating original three-dimensional artwork using clay, wire, plaster, recycled materials and more. This class is for motivated students willing to work hard and be challenged as they develop their artistic work ethic, creativity, and style.
8th Grade Visual Arts - 3D Textiles
A specialized, exploratory art class that focuses on creating original three-dimensional artwork using fabrics, beads, recycled materials, and more. This class is for motivated students willing to work hard and be challenged as they develop their artistic work ethic, creativity, and style.
Music
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Choir
Choir is a year-long performance ensemble available for all students in each grade. Students will sing a variety of music and perform in one required concert per semester. Students will have opportunities at each school to audition for show choirs, honor choirs, musicals, and variety shows.
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Orchestra
The orchestra classes are open to students who desire to learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will receive guidance in techniques for proper tone production, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at different levels. Orchestra is also a class designed to help build self-esteem (achievement), cooperation (playing in an ensemble), and life skills (practice, study, commitment) through the process of learning to play an instrument. Orchestra also affords the students the opportunity to participate in concerts, All-State Orchestra, festivals, solo/ensemble contest, field trips, and travel opportunities.
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Band
Band is an elective music activity which offers students the opportunities and experiences to develop their musical knowledge, skills and attitudes according to their individual desires, needs and abilities. Students will have a minimum of two concerts per year.
6th Grade General Music
6th grade general music focuses on music literacy and composition through reading, writing, and performing rhythms and notes. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate skills utilizing instruments and music technology. 6th grade general music is not a performance ensemble but can enhance students' experiences in choir, band, and orchestra.
8th Grade Rock On
In Rock On, students study the evolution of rock music through the decades. Students listen, watch, and analyze music in relation to culture and history. Rock On is a project-based class.
8th Grade Music Production
Students will learn how to manipulate music by creating medley mixes, music re-arranging, and exploring the digital world of music. Digital audio and MIDI will be used and incorporated to create music files. Students will learn basic concepts on making beats and music patterns to be used in music production.
8th Grade Theatre Production
To provide the students with an opportunity to explore and learn the process of mounting a theatrical production from start to finish. The students will act in and produce a play or scene in this course. Students will rehearse and then perform the chosen piece. Production responsibilities include scenery, costumes, props, sound, lights, and stage management. This course will help students gain public speaking skills, team building, and ensemble experience, become self-motivated, and learn theatrical discipline. Drama helps students acquire personal resources and life skills through intellectual, aesthetic, physical, and emotional development.
8th Grade Guitar
Students will learn the basics of playing guitar at a beginning level through strumming, studying music notation, chord symbols, and instructor modeling.
Life Skills Art & Music
Life Skills Art
Middle School Life Skills Art is an art class with a modified curriculum that focuses on experiencing art through the elements of art: line, shape, color, value, texture & space. This class gives students a unique opportunity to create, collaborate, connect, and think critically while exploring a variety of art materials and concepts.
Life Skills Music
Middle School Life Skills Music focuses on experiencing music through reading, performing rhythms and notes, movement, observing music performances, and singing. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate skills utilizing instruments. Middle School Life Skills Music is not a performance ensemble but can enhance students' experiences throughout the community and their continuing education.
Gifted Education
6th through 8th Grades
The Sioux Falls Gifted Program is designed to respond to the needs and special characteristics of gifted students by providing the opportunity for them to pursue and develop their potential for excellence. Students participate in an academic pull-out program that follows a curriculum designed to develop collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The curriculum focuses on STEAM units designed to specifically challenge the gifted learner. This program serves identified gifted students according to the Sioux Falls School District guidelines.
Health
The middle school sexual health curriculum can be viewed at the Instructional Planning Center (IPC) during business hours. If you feel it is better for your child not to participate in the sexual health unit, please contact your middle school building principal for other arrangements during the time when your child’s health class is studying this topic. For more information, please call the middle school curriculum coordinator at (605) 367-7871.
Očéti Šakówiŋ Owáuŋspe (OSO)
All 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students enroll in a year-long OSO class, that introduces students to our services that are designed to connect students to Native American Culture.
6th Grade
Essential Understanding: The origin, thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin continues in the contemporary lifestyles of tribal members. Tribal cultures, traditions, and languages are incorporated and are observed by many tribal members both on and off the reservations.
7th Grade
Essential Understanding: The origin, thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin continues in the contemporary lifestyles of Tribal members. Tribal cultures, traditions, and languages are incorporated and are observed by many Tribal members both on and off the reservations.
8th Grade
Essential Understanding: Federal policies and treaties put into place throughout American history have affected Oceti Sakowin people adversely. Tribes as sovereign nations have the authority to enter into government-to-government relationships. Currently, the relationships with the State are not the same for each tribe.
Physical Education (PE)
The Sioux Falls School District’s middle school physical education curriculum is guided by national and state standards in physical education. These standards outline for students what they must demonstrate, value, and maintain in order to lead a physically active lifestyle. Physical Education class is every other day, all year, at each grade level.