NCCA Middle School Counseling

Course Selection

Standard courses for middle school students include ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies and Health/PE.  If you have a non standard course request please reach out to Ms Rhinehart.  Students also get to choose one additional elective per year.  Currently, NCCA offers 5 elective choices:
 

INTRODUCTION TO ART: VISUAL ARTS

Covering art appreciation and the beginning of art history, this course encourages students to gain an understanding and appreciation of art in their everyday lives. Presented in an engaging format, this one-semester course provides an overview of many introductory themes: the definition of art, the cultural purpose of art, visual elements of art, terminology and principles of design, and two- and three-dimensional media and techniques. Tracing the history of art, high school students enrolled in the course also explore the following time periods and places: prehistoric art, art in ancient civilizations, and world art before 1400.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN

Digital art and design involves everything from advertising to animation to photography and more. In this course, you’ll learn about the evolution of art; the basic principles of art and design; the role of art in politics and society; and how to create digital art and make it come alive.

Required Materials:

 Unit 2:  Digital camera or cell phone with a camera feature (requires uploading digital photographs taken by student)

 Unit 3:  Drawing paper and colored pencils or markers or drawing software(requires creating a logo)

 Unit 5:  Drawing paper and colored pencils or markers or drawing software or animations software (requires creating a 

             character that could be animated)

 Unit 6:  A computer or phone with a recording feature/app (will need to record a “radio” commercial)

MIDDLE SCHOOL GAME DESIGN

Learn how to build a game from the ground up in Middle School Game Design, an interactive and hands-on course that will teach you all the ins and outs of making your own game. You will learn the importance of game structure and discover what makes a game fun, challenging, and interesting to players just like you. You will also have the opportunity to explore the design and creative process involved in game creation, learn block-based programs, and experiment with character and story development.

MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPLORING MUSIC

Learn about how we hear music, its history and culture, and how it affects our lives. Explore the elements of music, such as rhythm, pitch, and harmony, while discovering more about musical genres, singing and your voice, instruments, and musical composition. Tune up your understanding and appreciation for all.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY: DRAWING WITH LIGHT

Students see photographs every day on television, on the Internet, and in magazines and newspapers. What makes a great photograph? How did the artist capture a story? What makes a great picture? What are careers in photography?  In this course, students learn and apply fundamental skills to use a camera and take photographs of animals, people, and landscapes. Students gain an understanding of how photography can be a means of documentation or high art. Students examine photographic careers and explore self-reflection to progress their creative growth as they develop a photographic portfolio. This course helps students select subjects, take photographs, and print and display memories!

Required Materials:

•  Digital camera: “point and shoot” or above

*A Smartphone may be used for most required tasks, however,appropriate applications will need to be installed to allow the student to make the necessary adjustments to the camera mode, shutter speed, and aperture.

• Paper and Pen/Pencil for note taking

• Camera cord to transfer images to the computer

• Image Editing Software

• Lighting tools for side, front, and back lighting

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