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"We know that all information gets into the brain through our senses,
through a sense of sight, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling. And
we know that it is the role of the Arts to make those senses alert, acute,
and sensitized. I suggest that one of the very basis of a good thinking
skills program is a very well defined Unified Arts program. If we allow
children to grow up without their senses alert and acute they are oblivious
to the patterns, the textures, the rhythms, and the phenonimum around
them and nothing gets into the brain and there will be no thinking that
takes place." ~Art Costa, Ph.D.
Family/Consumer Education
Grade 6
The sixth grade curriculum includes a Foods and Nutrition Unit (3 weeks),
a Sewing Unit (3 weeks) and Life Skills Training (3 weeks). The Foods
and Nutrition Unit emphasizes kitchen safety, measuring/equivalents, recipe
terms, Food Pyramid, Dietary Guidelines, nutrients, tablesetting, table
manners and nutritious snacks. The Sewing Unit includes sewing machine
use, sewing safety and the construction of a tote bag. Life Skills Training
is a tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse prevention program. Topics covered
are self-image/self-improvement, decision making, smoking, alcohol, marijuana,
advertising, anxiety, communication, social skills and assertiveness.
Additional topics addressed by the school nurse and teachers are choking,
hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
As part of a district required Wellness course, sixth graders are introduced
to physical changes during puberty including the male and female reproductive
systems.
Grade 7
The seventh grade curriculum includes a Human Sexuality Unit (4 weeks),
Foods and Nutrition Unit (4 weeks) and a Sewing Unit (four weeks). The
Human Sexuality Unit includes self-esteem, physical changes, emotional
changes, decision-making, pregnancy, birth, abstinence, teen pregnancy,
sexually transmitted infections and protective behaviors. The Sewing Unit
addresses machine use, sewing safety, grain, and a sewing project (boxers,
cat pillow, monkey pillow, baseball pillow, football pillow or bag). The
Foods and Nutrition Unit covers kitchen safety, sanitation, measuring/equivalents,
recipe terms, food pyramid, dietary guidelines, nutrients, labels, eating
disorders and diet analysis.
Akira Toki Middle School offers the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
sanctioned sexuality curriculum for seventh grade students. This Family
and Consumer Education course for students has a parent component to inform
parents of the course content. In this way, parents can learn what their
child is learning and be prepared for their child’s take home assignments.
This course emphasizes sexual abstinence. Topics for the course include:
birth, birth defects, adolescent development, self-esteem, responsibility
for relationships, choices and consequences, dating, teen pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Grade 8
Small Business
Small Business addresses consumerism, personal finance, and creation
of a small business. Come and explore consumer rights and how to deal
with a consumer complaint. A consumer letter is part of this unit and
you will select a favorite item and write a business letter to the company
then wait to see if they respond. Personal finance covers how to handle
your money, checking accounts, and creating a personal living area for
yourself. In the Small Business unit you will work in small groups to
create and market a product you will learn to figure cost of item and
market products. You and your business partners will share the profits
at the end of the business. At the end of the semester we will join Mrs.
Bauman's class to create a Cafe.
Teen Issues/Cafe For a Day!
Teen Issues addresses issues identified by the students. Possible topics
are tobacco, alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, teen depression,
teen suicide, cults, gangs and sexually transmitted infections. Students
choose an issue to research for a presentation to the class. Guest speakers
from the community come in to share their expertise about issues identified
by the class. Students also have the opportunity to experience peer teaching
a unit to elementary students.
Cafe For a Day allows students to apply for chef, head cook, assistant
cook, maitre d, cashier or wait staff. Students plan invitations, menu,
and decorations based on a theme decided by the class. The day of our
Cafe, the students prepare and serve food to parents and Toki staff. Bon
appetit!!
Foods for Consumers
You are what you eat!! In this class you will learn how to develop healthy
eating habits. They will experiment with many different food combinations
and preparations. Topics covered are safety, sanitation, recipe terms,
Food Pyramid, Dietary Guidelines, nutrients, consumer education, vegetarian
diets, sports nutrition, multicultural foods, pies, nutritional snacks,
pizza and quick breads. Students also have an opportunity to use their
creativity to make a gingerbread house.
Computer Applications
Grade 6
This 9-week class covers simple word processing, email, spreadsheet,
page layout, drawing, keyboarding, image manipulation, World Wide Web
(WWW) search skills and simple web page design. Students create a simple
presentation, which shows graphics captured from the WWW and digital camera,
free-write text elements, modified digital camera image, and a graph displaying
results of data collection. Students track stocks for nine weeks to see
if they can beat the street.
Grade 7
This 6-week class advances knowledge learned in 6th grade. Students keyboard,
use email, keep a budget, make a spreadsheet to prove a scientific phenomenon,
graph cartesian cartoons, make a complex website, delve into animations.
Grade 8
This 9-week class applies knowledge instructed in class as well as in
the past 7th and 6th grade classes. Students keyboard, use email and are
instructed in website maintanence. The goal is for a student-maintained
ATMS website.
Music
Band
Chorus
General Music
Grade 6
This course will focus on music theory, music history and music appreciation.
Projects may include composing both lyrics and melodies, learning to
play simple melodies on keyboards and rhythms on percussion instruments
and researching the lives of important composers. This is not a performance
class.
Grade 7
This course will be a continuation of the General Music study taught
in sixth grade. We will focus on music history from Baroque to Romantic
music appreciation including world music study.
Grade 8
Eighth grade General Music will focus on music of the 20th century:
from Ragtime to Rap. We will also learn about music from around the
world.
Orchestra
Grade 6
This course will continue to develop the concepts and skills path developed
in elementary school strings class. The middle school strings experience
consists of group lessons using regular symphonic literature that introduces
new concepts and skills in harmony, rhythm, and musical expression.
Two to three concerts in addition to the annual strings festival will
be presented each year. Students will also have the opportunity to participate
in the district and state solo/ensemble contests.
Grade 7
Middle school strings continue to build upon learning goals of the
elementary strings program. Performance technique, music theory, ear
training and music appreciation are all learning goals achieved through
the study of music ranging from the Baroque era to the age of Jazz.
Two to three public concerts (in addition to an elementary school concert
tour) are presented each year in addition to the annual Madison Strings
Festival. Students have the further opportunity to participate in the
Wisconsin School Music Association Solo/Ensemble Festival by preparing
a solo or playing in a small ensemble.
Most students must provide their own instrument. The only instruments
provided by the school are the larger, more expensive ones (the basses
and cellos) and a small number of violins and violas.
Entrance requirements of this class are previous participation in elementary
and sixth grade strings or permission of the instructor.
Grade 8
Middle school strings continue to build upon the learning goals of
the elementary string program. Performance technique, music theory,
ear training and music appreciation are all learning goals achieved
through the study of music ranging from the Baroque era to the age of
Jazz. Two to three public concerts (in addition to an elementary school
concert tour) are presented each year in addition to the annual Madison
Strings Festival. Students have the further opportunity to participate
in the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo/Ensemble festival by
preparing a solo or playing in a small ensemble.
Most students must provide their own instrument. The only instruments
provided by the school are the larger more expensive ones (the basses
and cellos) and a small number of violins and violas. Entrance requirements
for this class are previous participation in elementary strings or permission
of the instructor.
Physical Education
Grade 6
Toki Physical Education classes offer a wide variety of sport, fitness,
and movement activities for students of varying ability levels. Our physical
education is not simply a sports program. Rather, our curriculum provides
thoughtfully selected activities that are chosen to promote maximum participation,
skill development, social responsibility, and enjoyment for all students.
Some of the activity units offered at Toki are soccer, flag football,
volleyball, floor hockey, lacrosse, basketball, gymnastics, golf, track
and field, and softball. Fitness activities are integrated throughout
the year. The units presented are the same for all grade levels; however,
the activities often change in emphasis.
Grade 7
Physical Education classes offer a wide variety of sport, fitness, and
movement activities for students of varying ability levels. Our physical
education is not simply a sports program. Rather, our curriculum provides
thoughtfully selected activities that are chosen to promote maximum participation,
skill development, social responsibility, and enjoyment for all students.
Some of the activity units offered at Toki are soccer, flag football,
volleyball, floor hockey, lacrosse, basketball, gymnastics, golf, track
and field, and softball. Fitness activities are integrated throughout
the year. The units presented are the same for all grade levels, however,
the activities often change in emphasis. In seventh grade there is an
increasing emphasis on higher level skills and strategies.
Grade 8
Toki Physical Education classes offer a wide variety of sport, fitness,
and movement activities for students of varying ability levels. Our physical
education is not simply a sports program. Rather, our curriculum provides
thoughtfully selected activities that are chosen to promote maximum participation,
skill development, social responsibility, and enjoyment for all students.
Some of the activity units offered at Toki are soccer, flag football,
volleyball, floor hockey, lacrosse, basketball, gymnastics, golf, track
and field, and softball. Fitness activities are integrated throughout
the year. The units presented are the same for all grade levels, however,
the activities often change in emphasis. In eighth grade there is an increasing
emphasis on higher level skills and strategies.
Reading Strategies
Grade 6
This course is designed for students who are two or more grade levels
behind in reading and need to improve their reading comprehension. The
spirit of the course is to foster a love of reading, as students work
to improve their reading skills. Students read several novels throughout
the year, work on comprehension skills, and learn smart strategies for
test taking, remembering, concentrating, and decoding. This class meets
throughout the entire school year. Classes are small and acceptance is
eventually based on test results and teacher recommendation.
Grade 7
Do you always understand what you read? Can you remember details, pick
out main ideas and read between the lines to interpret hidden meanings?
If these are some skills you would like to work on, then the Reading Strategies
course is a good choice for you.
Reading Strategies is designed for students who are two or more grade
levels below their current grade in reading who need to improve their
reading comprehension. The spirit of the course is to foster a love of
reading, as students work to improve their reading skills. Students read
several novels throughout the year, work on comprehension skills and learn
smart strategies for test-taking, remembering, concentrating, and decoding.
This class meets throughout the entire school year. Students who were
in Reading Strategies in sixth grade will be enrolled again.
Grade 8
Do you always understand what you read? Can you remember details, pick
out main ideas, and read between the lines to interpret hidden meanings?
If these are some skills you would like to work on, then the Reading Strategies
course is a good choice for you.
Reading Strategies is designed for students who need to improve their
reading comprehension. The spirit of the course is to foster a love of
reading, as students work to improve their reading skills. Students read
several novels throughout the year, work on comprehension skills, and
learn smart strategies for test taking, remembering, concentrating, and
decoding. This class meets throughout the entire school year.
Students who were in Reading Strategies in seventh grade should enroll
again, unless the current teacher states otherwise.
Technology Education
Check out Mr. Laufenberg's AWESOME TechEd website at:
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/toki/teched/teched.htm
Visual Arts Education
Grade 6
Art classes at Toki are designed to compliment middle school philosophy
by stressing individual growth through exploration, teaching children
to become more responsible for their own actions and work, and introducing
the techniques, skills and ideas needed to become more competent artists.
Each grade level adds more time and degree of difficulty as we strive
to insure student success.
Students are exposed to art for nine weeks on a daily basis. The curriculum
encompasses State and District standards, allowing students to use their
imaginations and creativity to develop multiple solutions to problems.
Units introduce and review common language and skills needed to develop
as artists. These include painting and color studies, drawing and shading,
sculpture, and printmaking. Craftsmanship is always a focus in our art
program.
Grade 7
We expand our art program from 9 weeks in sixth grade to 12 weeks for
seventh graders. This allows us to teach units that are more in-depth
with emphasis on increased individual responsibility and craftsmanship.
State and District Standards are again a focus, allowing students to produce
quality images and objects that effectively communicate and express ideas
using varied media, techniques, and processes. Our units include painting
and color theory, sculptures in clay, paper mache or other media, a study
of positive and negative space via printmaking, pen and ink or paper cut,
and other units such as mask making, cartooning, paper marbling, book
making and multi-cultural activities.
Grade 8
Eighth grade Art classes are semester long electives. All Unified Arts
teachers encourage students to elect their eighth grade courses based
upon their interest in pursuing more in-depth study of these areas. Art
classes are structured to allow students to design and produce quality
original images and objects, such as paintings, sculptures, designed objects,
graphic designs, and computer images. Because these classes (like electives
in other areas) are advanced, we encourage only students with a strong
interest to sign up for these classes. There are four offerings for students
in art:
Creative Arts
With the revival of interest in American Folk Art, this class offers
students an opportunity to explore traditional art and craft techniques.
Weave an Appalachian melon or egg basket, or try your hand at the century
old craft of quilt making. Explore the textures and colors of yarn by
learning to weave on a round frame. Learn the techniques of cutting
glass in order to create a stained glass light catcher. Other possible
areas of study include calligraphy, paper marbling, bead making or designing
and creating Pueblo Story Teller Doll. Supplies will be provided for
most projects, however if you wish to do a larger piece or work with
higher quality materials, additional fees or materials may be required.
There is a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and independent thinking
in this class.
Graphic Arts
This class combines art produced in the art room and the computer lab.
To experience some of the techniques used by commercial artists, students
design posters and C.D. covers that incorporate their carved linoleum
prints with lettering and photo morphing done with the Adobe Photoshop
computer program. We learn about product design by painting canvas floor
coverings and dying silk scarves. Additional projects may include book
illustration or Celtic lettering. Occasionally fees may be charged if
students elect to work with higher quality materials.
2-Dimensional Art
2-D art is art which has two dimensions: height and width. This class
is designed to interest students who wish to learn to improve their
drawing and painting skills using more advanced techniques. A wide variety
of art will be introduced. Among possible units will be pencil and pastel
drawing, value studies, portraiture, still life studies, watercolor,
color theory and acrylic painting on canvas. Special emphasis will be
given to detail and craftsmanship. Fees may be required in some areas
if students wish to work with higher quality materials.
3-Dimensional Art
This is an art class where we are primarily interested in ceramic pottery
and sculpture, which has height, width, and depth (3 dimensions). We
work with a variety of materials such as paper, clay, paper mache, fibers,
beading, canvas, painting, glazing and wax to create figures, animals,
scenes and clay pots. The pottery projects include hand-building techniques
along with learning to "throw" a pot on the potter's wheel.
This class will encourage and develop creative problem solving. A higher
level of planning, detail and craftsmanship is expected in this class.
Occasionally fees may be charged if students elect to work with higher
quality materials.
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Unified Arts Class Rotation
Friday Rotation Schedule
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