Apache Middle School

English Department News

The Apache Middle School English Department is excited about the changes that were made to our department. The 8^th grade Reading classes are currently working on reading comprehension skills like context clues and affixes and different reading strategies like inferencing, drawing conclusions, main idea and responding to literature through double-entry journals. The 8^th grade Writing classes have been diligently working on differentiating among the traits of writing while composing an early draft of their year-long project: memory books. Soon they will be utilizing the writing process to create multiple pieces of writing to revise and edit throughout the year. The 7^th grade Reading classes learning to read to understand author’s purpose, determine main idea, make inferences, summarize, and distinguish fact from opinion. The 7^th grade Writing classes are learning and practicing the steps of the Writing Process from prewriting to presentation, and how to score their writing using the district writing rubric. We look forward to an exciting and challenging year ahead of us!

8^th Grade Honors English

8^th grade Honors English has studied the levels of thinking to go beyond the meaning of the words of a text. They are currently reading the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand to practice annotating a text and completing a dialectical journal before we move on to the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Art Information

7^th Grade Art 2D

This program consists of 9 weeks of drawing, painting and printmaking with an additional 9 weeks of sculpture and ceramic projects.  Drawing emphasis is on basic skills and one point perspective.  Painting sessions cover use of value and intensities with focus on common color harmonies such as monochromatic, complementary and triads.  Art history includes a look a famous American Artists to include some historical paintings, portraits, landscapes and pop art. Student will also create a once color print that is an original design for a symbol for America.

8^th Grade Art 2D

This program consists of a semester of drawing, painting and printmaking.  Students will complete projects that use the elements and principles of art.  Drawing will focus on drawing from life and using 2 point perspective.  Paintings will focus on radial symmetry, surrealism, and the work of Georgia O’Keeffe.  Students will create a 3 color reduction relief print for the printmaking portion of the course.  Art history will focus on contemporary European and America artists.

Sixth Grade Art

Sixth grade art is an exploration of art history to include primitive, Egyptian, Australian (Aboriginal), Greek, Roman, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.  This curriculum is tied closely to the Sixth grade Social Studies curriculum.  Students will create projects that include a variety of techniques and media to include 2 dimensional art and 3 dimensional art.  As a continuation of the elementary art curricula, students will continue to learn more advanced concepts relating to Art Elements and Principals such as lines, shapes, patterns etc... Grades are determined by daily bell work which is usually a vocabulary foldable relating to the current lesson (worth 10 pts.), Unit tests (worth 100pts.) and project grades (100 pts. Each).  Projects are assessed by a rubric which is filled out by the student first and considered by the teacher for a final grade.  Most project rubrics are attached to the back of the project.  Most projects will be kept until the end of the semester to be considered for possible display in the district or school Art Show.  A list of recycle materials and other items to donate can be found on Mrs. Blocker’s website.  

Eighth grade three-dimensional art is a semester elective course that explores various sculptural methods, media and related artists.  Students will learn relief sculpture and sculpture in-the-round.  A variety of media will be used such as clay, paper, cardboard, plaster of paris, balsa foam and mixed media projects (including found objects).  Methods will include addition, subtraction, modeling and casting.  Art from various cultures such as Oaxacan art from Mexico and African masks will be included.  Various artists such as American artist Joseph Cornell will also be included in the course of study.  Lessons will include continued focus on elements and principals of art such as shape to form and “form follows function”.  Grading is based on daily bell work (10 pts.), projects assessed by rubric (100 pts.) and quizzes.  Project rubrics are filled out by students and then considered by the teacher for a final grade.  Some projects will be kept for possible display in the district or school art show.  A list of recycle materials and other items to donate can be found on Mrs. Blocker or Mrs. Roach’s Teacher web page.

Culinary Arts

We have a new class offering this year! Mrs. Merrick is teaching Culinary Arts. We are in the process of restocking the cupboards. If you have any kitchen supplies that you could donate, please bring them to the front office. Measuring Cups, spoons, cutting boards, serving utensils, mixing bowls, baking pans, etc. would be gladly accepted. 

Band Information

Band

*All band members should have their book, instrument, music, and pencil for class each day. 

*All bands have a December 15 concert that we are working towards.  All bands are participating.

*Please check Mrs. Errhalt’s teacher web site regularly for performance information, updates, and assignments for classes!  www.teacherweb.com/az/ams/errhalt

*Symphonic & Coyote Bands have been fitted for their uniforms.  Students need to have PLAIN white shoes/laces, LONG white socks, gloves, and a t-shirt to wear under their uniform jacket.

*Symphonic Band & Flags/Banner participated in the Buena Homecoming Parade & Pre-game show on Friday, Sept. 25 and will participate in the Veteran’s Parade on November 11.

Music classes

*Students are improving on guitar!  We have been performing for the class weekly.  We have invited parents in for our performances.

*We are in need of steel and nylon strings for the guitars.