White Oak School Electives

Art II       Grades 10-12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Students continue to expand upon their previous experiences in art as they work to hone their skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, papermaking, and fabric design. Assignments increase in complexity and level of difficulty. Emphasis is placed upon developing a unique, personal style. Students will increase their knowledge of art history and art processes, techniques, methods, and materials. Students who are interested in art careers will focus upon developing portfolios.
 

Culinary Arts       Grades 7-12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Basic knowledge of nutrition and training in food preparation are covered in this class. Baking and cooking basics, measurement skills, meal planning, supermarket strategies, and proper dining etiquette are also key areas of focus. Students will create weekly menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They will explore recipes and cook and bake a variety of dishes as preparation for living independently in the future.

Drama (Intro to Theater)       Grades 7 – 12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Confidence building, socialization, and development of teamwork skills are the goals of the White Oak Drama program. All students are invited to participate and are given any necessary support to do so; it is an inclusive program. Students are introduced to all aspects of a dramatic production with emphases on improving memory, articulation, enunciation, intonation, acting, and pragmatic skills. Also included are scene studies, prop design and construction, set design, and costuming. As an annual event, students participate in the performance and full production of a play for the benefit of the White Oak School and Community.

Photography       Grades 7-12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Prerequisite: A digital camera is necessary for enrollment. This class introduces students to the history of photography and the basics of color and black and white photographic images. Assignments and class projects give students a hands-on approach to mastering the subject. Each student will also be responsible for investigating in depth the work of a major photographer and will develop a presentation that includes factual information as well as visuals to share with the class. Digital photography skills will be explored and honed through the use of ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ®.

Pottery I       Grades 9 – 12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Students explore the processes of creating functional and/or artistic clay projects that include preparing the clay, utilizing a variety of techniques (pinch, slab, coil, and throwing on the wheel) to construct functional and/or sculptural forms, and glazing and firing. Design elements (pattern, form, color, rhythm, balance, etc.) and historical pottery references are key areas of instruction, practice, and class discussions.

Pottery II       Grades 9 – 12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Students continue to develop clay construction skills and build increasingly complex functional and/or sculptural projects with increasing skills and by combining methods of clay construction (pinch, slab, coil, and throwing on the wheel). Additional design possibilities are explored including patterning through carving, painting, decorating with slip, sgraffito, and under-glazing effects, etc. Students are encouraged to develop unique creative solutions for each assignment. The work of both contemporary and historical potters provides examples and inspiration to experiment with their ideas.

Wood-shop Skills with Practical Math       Grades 7 – 12       (½ Year: ¼ Credit)
Wood-shop/Practical Math offers training and practice in the areas of practical mathematical concepts/skills and hands-on woodworking skills development. Students will explore the processes for planning and constructing a variety of wood projects (box, bench, table, baseball bat, etc.) Key areas of focus include:

• Utilization of practical mathematical concepts and operations as needed for precise measuring and planning in the construction of wood projects
• The safe use of common stationary woodworking machinery and portable power tools
• Reading and preparing shop drawings
• Compiling material cut lists
• The use of hand tools such as planes, chisels, etc.
• The finishing processes with emphasis on attention to detail