6th Grade Electives
Character Strong, Music, Art, and Drama
Welcome 5th Grade Parents!
Normally, I reserve space to talk about 8th Grade ASB and the calendar of activities we have planned for the year including outdoor movie night, dances, and our famous Hawkapaolooza! However, I think it's best that we tackle that in a future communication when we have a better idea of how assemblies and events will be affected for 2020-2021.
In the meantime, please see below for information about my Character Strong 6th Grade Wheel class, Ms. Kogan's Art elective, Mr. Hairston's Drama, and Mr. Vaughan's incredible music program.
With love and gratitude,
~Mr. Darmanin
Mr. Vaughan's Music Program at Hillview
Welcome to Music @ Hillview
Hello Incoming 6th Grade Musicians!
In 6th Grade, there are 5 choices for Music.
1. 6th Band: A Year Long Elective
Band rehearsals are spent working on the development of music fundamentals and building ensemble skills. We perform a wide variety of music of differing styles and genres (classical, marches, pop, jazz, world culture). Band 6 performs in the Winter & Spring Concerts and Hillview Graduation, as well as other activities. It’s a lot of FUN! .
REQUIREMENT: 1 to 2 years experience in elementary or studying privately. If switching an instrument, see Mr. Vaughan. It might make more sense to join the Beginning Band and then move over to the 6th Band when skills are ready.
2. Beginning Band: 0 Period (7:35-8:20) once a week
Designed for students just starting an instrument or switching from another instrument of another family (strings to brass, brass to woodwind, etc). Learn the fundamentals of music (reading & writing) and how to play chosen instrument. When ready, students can be moved up to 6th band.
3. 6th Orchestra: A Year Long Elective
In Orchestra, students will work on expanding their string technique, knowledge, and ensemble skills while performing a wide variety of music of differing styles and genres. Orchestra 6 performs in the Winter & Spring Concerts as well as other activities.
REQUIREMENT: 1 to 2 years experience in elementary or studying privately. If switching an instrument, see Mr. Vaughan. It might make more sense to join the Beginning Strings and then move over to the 6th Orchestra when skills are ready.
4. Beginning Orchestra: 0 Period (7:35-8:20) once a week
Designed for students just starting an instrument or switching from another instrument of another family (brass to strings, Orff to strings, etc). Learn the fundamentals of music (reading & writing) and how to play chosen instrument. When ready, students can be moved up to 6th Orchestra.
5. Jazz Band: 0 Period (7:35-8:20) Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Jazz Band runs before school from 7:35-8:20. Students should have at least one year of playing experience on your instrument. Jazz Band is an auditioned group. We meet 3 mornings a week (M/W/F). Jazz Band performs music from all Jazz styles (Dixieland, swing, bebop, funk). Auditions occur during the first week of school. See Mr. Vaughan for audition information. Here is the LINK to the Jazz Band Page
6th MUSIC FAQ
WHAT IS “THE WHEEL” ELECTIVE?
The Wheel offers 6th graders the ability to experience a number of electives through a 6 week rotation. Every 6 weeks, students move to another elective (Art, Woodshop, Maker Space, etc.). These are the same offered in the 7th/8th grades as trimesters but run as either year-long or trimester electives.
CAN I TAKE QU3ST/OS & 6 BAND or 6 ORCH?
YES! You have 2 elective choices.
CAN I TAKE “THE WHEEL” AND 6 BAND or 6 ORCH?
YES! But you wouldn’t be able to take QU3ST because there are only 2 elective choices..
CAN 6th GRADERS BE IN BAND 2 & ORCHESTRA 2?
NO! Due to scheduling conflicts, there is no way more advanced musicians can be a part of the 7th/8th Elective program. Every effort will be made to give advanced students the opportunity to work on harder music and have opportunities for chamber music and soloing.
CAN I CHANGE MY MIND?
YES! All electives are switchable within the first week of each trimester. Everyone is always welcome to ADD music to their schedule! If dropping, please extend common courtesy to the faculty and include them in conversations with the counseling department. Afterall, would you drop a sport without letting the coach know?
WHAT IF I PLAY GUITAR OR PIANO?
Jazz Band has both guitar and keyboard players. However, you should be studying privately as the parts are challenging. Entry into the Jazz Band is based upon the audition and available slots + skill level.
6th Band can use keyboard players in the percussion section on mallets. It is recommended to also join the beginning band to learn how to play drums and work on sticking technique. Guitarists who are interested in band can also switch to bass
Keyboard players can also be in the orchestra but know that the parts are always more challenging than the string parts. Entry into the ensemble would be based on Mr. Vaughan’s approval after hearing you play.
IS THERE A CHORUS?
Currently there is no chorus at Hillview. We are looking at offering one to ⅞ graders as an elective. If there is enough interest, then we will run the class.
DO I NEED TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT?
MAYBE - All students are expected to have instruments at home to practice. The Menlo Park District has a number of instruments that it can loan out for at home use. We ask for a one time donation of $75 to help defray maintenance costs. If we are unable to provide an instrument, then it would be expected that the family would rent one. If there are financial issues, please consult Mr. Vaughan.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY INSTRUMENT TO SCHOOL EVERY CLASS?
MAYBE - It really depends upon the instrument. We have enough string instruments so that if you have one at home, you - most likely- will not need to bring yours. However, 6th Orchestra and 7th/8th Orchestra will share the instruments between them. THESE WILL BE SANITIZED AFTER EVERY CLASS. With regards to band, if you have a small instrument, like flute or clarinet, those can be brought between home - but larger instruments (tenor sax, baritone horn, trombone, etc.) are provided by the district (based upon availability). What you would do is bring your mouthpiece from home every day along with your music.
INSTRUMENT LOCKERS ARE PROVIDED FOR ALL MUSICIANS
You bring your instrument at the beginning of the day and leave it in your locker along with your music. “The less you have to lug around school, the happier you are” - Music Corollary
WHAT ABOUT CLEANING SHARED INSTRUMENTS?
Strings - There will be sanitizing wipes for use to wipe down finger boards and bows between each class. Instrument handles and locker doors will also be wiped at the beginning and end of class.
Brass - Sanitizing spray will be available for all mouthpieces, although each student is expected to bring their own mouthpiece. Wipes will be available for keys and general cleaning of instrument surfaces and cases.
Every effort will be made so that students bringing their own instruments from home will have individual lockers. School instruments will have to share lockers.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Contact Mr. Vaughan rvaughan@mpcsd.org
Mr. Darmanin's Character Strong Leadership Wheel Elective
One minute, we are discussing Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the next we are spinning a wheel filled with embarrassing prompts to perform in front of the class. It's fast moving and high energy often great for dinner time conversations.
Room G-3 is often filled with laughs, cheers, and sharing especially on Fridays when we use restorative circles to practice speaking and listening about our feelings and life in general.
I can't wait to welcome your children in my classroom!!!
Ms. Kogan's Wheel Art Elective
During the art rotation, students create clay sculptures, drawings,
paintings, dabble in digital photography, and design and build a
cardboard playground. Students always make a clay mug that they glaze
and can actually drink from. They are encouraged to challenge their
imagination and art abilities in this class. They choose their own
subjects for drawings and paintings, following Ms. Kogan’s guidelines.
This course gives sixth graders a taste of the seventh and eighth
grade art offerings and is lots of fun. If you enjoy trying lots of
different mediums, you will live this survey course!
Hillview Drama Overview
Hello 5th Graders!!! The drama program at Hillview is vibrant and full of meaningful activities!
Class Descriptions
Drama 6 Wheel- 6th Graders Only- This class is full of drama games and activities. We also explore acting through the use of student and professionally written monologues. Drama 6 is a wonderful opportunity to move around during the school day and get to know your classmates through the storytelling styles of drama.
Improvisation- 7th and 8th Graders Only- All improv, all of the time. In this class you will be challenged to create scenes, skits and more-- all on the spot. You’ll learn improv techniques and practice them in order get the audience to ooh and ahh, laugh and cry. We’ll even create our own games toward the end of the trimester. A great class for stretching the boundaries of humor and story-telling and having fun.
Drama 7 and 8- 7th and 8th Graders Only- We’ll write scenes, act scenes, work on monologues and play lots of drama and improv games. A fun class with minimal homework. If we have time, we’ll dive into theatre design: costumes, sets, lights, makeup and sound. Drama gives you a chance to get out of your seat and learn to communicate and tell stories in a different way. This is a fun class, especially if you like to perform, but there is still plenty to do if you are an introvert. Come and take the drama challenge!
Speech and Debate- 7th and 8th Graders Only- We’ll learn about the techniques involved in presenting information to an audience by giving speeches. We’ll focus on developing good form through vocals, intonation, body language, gestures, and more. And we’ll also focus on developing good content, through curiosity, research, organization, logic, impact and more. We will give four speeches in this class. We also spend more than half of our class time on debate. We practice this by doing! We have lots of debates. Some are ridiculous, like “Halloween is superior to Thanksgiving”, some are intense like “assault weapons should be banned”. You can expect to debate weekly, at least. In this class, students who love to argue get to do it a lot and, hopefully, learn to do it well! Speech and debate will get you communicating to an audience in lots of different ways!
After School Program
Fall Play- Casting in early September, performs early November. Fully staged, Broadway length show. Sets, Costumes and Lights. Usually double cast. Four performances. Former shows include: The Diary of Anne Frank, Romeo and Juliet and The Miracle Worker. Cast and crew usually total around 50. All who audition are cast. Rehearsals are after school M-F. Rehearsal time depends on size of role, but all cast spend significant time in rehearsal. Crew attend all rehearsals and shows for the last three weeks only including two Saturday rehearsals. Intense and wonderous. Potentially a life-changing experience.
Spring Musical- Casting right before Winter break, performs late April. Fully staged, Broadway length show. Sets, Costumes, Lights and Sound. Leads are usually, but not always, double cast. Four performances. Former shows include: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and The Wizard of OZ. Cast and crew usually total around 80. All who audition are cast. Rehearsals are after school M-F. Rehearsal time depends on size of role, but all cast spend significant time in rehearsal. Crew attend all rehearsals and shows for the last three weeks only including two Saturday rehearsals. Intense and wonderous. Potentially a life-changing experience.
I hope to see you at audtions and/or in class!!!
All the best,
Mr Hairston aka: Your Friendly Neighborhood Drama Teacher
Hillview's Block H to Recognize Involvement
Block H is all about the journey!
The Block H award encourages and recognizes commitment to school involvement and community service.
What is a “Block H Point”?
Points are how we measure your service and involvement. For service activities, including community service outside Hillview, you earn about 3 points per hour of service. For school involvement, we use a fixed point system per activity to encourage and recognize involvement.It's best not to "count" your points and instead just focus on getting involved and volunteering! We've never met a student who got their Block H by asking how many points they had! Fill out the form and follow the steps.
How does a 6th grader get involved?
That's just it! They simply do the things they already love to do at school and join various activities, clubs, and sports. They also can volunteer their service at school or in their community. Most importantly, they submit their points in a special Google Classroom at the end of each year in pursuit of their Block H! It's a fun way to reward and recognize students contributions and foster a love of service.
You can read more at HillviewASB.com!
Does your 5th Grader want a small role in our talent show?
While we can't include 5th graders as skits just yet (next year!), we are doing a montage sequence using photos and/or short videos following this prompt.
HawkSquawk: Hillview's Hidden Talent
No editing required! Use your phone or iPad to film/submit. Click the button below to send!
7th Graders: Apply to W.E.B. (Where Everybody Belongs!)
WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)
Hillview Middle School WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program is recruiting! The program is run by teachers Jacky Schlegel, Rob Lawrence, and Kara Connelly.
8th grade WEB leaders will be here to help bridge that gap between 5th and 6th, providing guidance and promoting inclusiveness on campus. It's nice to know they have a buddy planning for their arrival, so please share this news with your 5th grader!