Arts

There are three technology subjects run as part of our tech/spec rotations:

  • Dance and Drama

  • Music

  • Visual Arts

Year 7 students spend half a term in each technology.

Year 8 students choose 4 subjects for the year. They choose from the technology and specialist areas. In each subject area, they have 15 lessons.

Introduction of Arts Subjects

Visual Arts

  • Year 7 students have a maximum of ten lessons (1 hour 20 minutes each) over a five week period.

  • Year 8 students have a maximum of 15 lessons (1 hour 45 minutes each) over a term.

    Students have the opportunity to experience visual arts within all four strands of the arts curriculum.

  • Participating and contributing (group work), managing self (practical preparation and individual pieces of art), languages/symbols/text and thinking.

    Most classes will work on a different piece of art relating where practical to their ALJ's.

    Year 7's focus is mainly on the art element of COLOUR but including the other elements where possible. Year 8's is usually ceramics looking at the art elements of SHAPE and PATTERN and again the other elements where possible.

    It is not just the art content that is important, but students must be able to learn how to learn, how to think and to learn some important skills that they can carry over to all parts of life. As Kent Sidel said, "Art helps students develop key 'habits of mind' that include: higher order thinking, creativity, critical thinking and the ability to pose and solve problems, self-discipline and self confidence. These skills are necessary for success in art and once learnt can translate to success in areas of school and life."

    My goal is to create a classroom that is a safe haven; where students can feel free to learn, be themselves and to be able to express that through art.

Music

  • Year 7 students have a maximum of ten lessons (1 hour 20 minutes each) over a five week period. The focus is using SOLO Taxonomy to foster critical thinking skills and creativity, while further developing the five key competencies. Students have the opportunity to experience music within all four strands of the music curriculum.

    Year 7 music students will learn to:

    • Investigate the role instrumental music plays in developing and improving cognitive function

    • Play a variety of ukulele music reading chord charts and ukulele tablature

    • Read and write music in the treble/bass clef

    • Create original body percussion and instrumental percussion music

    • Use Garage Band, Avid, iPad apps,computer code, and other available technologies to compose, edit, and record music

    • Work collaboratively with other specialist arts classes on integrated projects and performances

  • Year 8 have a maximum of 15 lessons (1 hour 45 minutes each) over a term. As with year 7, the focus is using SOLO Taxonomy to foster critical thinking skills and creativity, while further developing the five key competencies. In addition, year 8 music classes have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other year 8 specialist classes for several lessons a term on integrated projects. The year 8 program covers all four strands of the music curriculum.

    Year 8 students will learn to:

    • Investigate and present a panel discussion on the specific positive effects music has on individual areas of the brain

    • Explore links between literacy and music by writing and performing SLAM poetry and writing original song lyrics for a specific purpose

    • Read guitar charts and guitar tablature and play guitar music individually and as part of a group

    • Read basic drum notation and play simple drum patterns

    • Use available technologies to record, edit, and store compositions

Dance & Drama

  • "Creativity is contagious, pass it on." Albert Einstein

    Dance and drama at Somerville Intermediate in Year 7 and 8 provides a creative environment where students can develop their technique and confidence. Students at Somerville Intermediate will have the opportunity to explore the Samoan Sasa, South African Gumboot dance, musical theatre, greek drama, improvisation and much more. There will be many co-curricular dance and drama activities throughout the year that students can be involved in.

    Student Reflections

    "My experience of dance and drama this year has been awesome! I love that dance and drama isn't just individual, it's team work."

    "I enjoyed doing the Samoan Sasa as it was something new to me"

    "I loved choreographing my own dance and performing as I gained more confidence and courage."

    "Dance is a fun way to express yourself and your emotions. I've always thought dance and drama wasn't a part of me but now I've learnt that it is for everybody."