Encore Handbook

THE ACADEMY AT L INCOLN

The Academy at Lincoln

Helping you choose the right Encores for your

schedule. 2020-2021

THE ACADEMY AT L INCOLN

1016 Lincoln St.

Greensboro, NC 27401

336-307-3471

The middle school art curriculum is about exploring and experiencing many different kinds of art. There is not an opportunity to focus on one particular medium or style. We will draw, but not all the time; we will paint, but not for the whole year. The curriculum is designed to help every young artist, from the most experienced to the least, grow and become more successful. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mary Arante at arantem@gcsnc.com

6th Grade All 6th graders are welcome to register for art. During registration, choose art; nothing else is required. In 6th grade, all art classes are “minors” and meet every day for one semester. Students will only need a pencil, eraser, and the school-issued laptop to participate in class. The 6th grade curriculum focuses on fundamentals of art: learning art vocabulary, experimenting with different materials, and exploring different processes. Students complete about three small projects a quarter, as we focus on variety and breadth of study. 7th & 8th Grade: Becoming an Art Major In 7th and 8th grade, students have the opportunity to select a major. To become an art major, an audition/application is required. Auditions take place in late March. The audi-tion requires a completed form with a few written questions, a drawing exercise, and a brief interview. The audition focuses on identifying students who are teachable, fo-cused, dedicated, and ready to become better artists. Although a very basic foundation in art knowledge is required, it is not necessary for students to be excellent artists in or-der to qualify as an art major. Art majors classes meet every day for the whole school year. This extended time provides extra opportunities for students to explore more art techniques, history, media, and processes. Certain materials will only be available to majors due to materials and time constraints. All majors will need a sketchbook, a pencil and an eraser. 7th & 8th Grade: Art Minors Students who want to continue their study of art but do not wish to major are encouraged to register for art as a minor. Some projects will overlap with the majors. The goal of the minors classes is for students to experience as many different things in art as possible. All minors will need a pencil, and an eraser.

Art

The Academy at Lincolns Band Program strives to build musical ability, creativity and character among its members. Learning music in a performance ensemble requires Dedication, Determination,

and Discipline. Our class motto is To Be the Best and The Brightest. Those who are up for the challenge please register for band by following the steps below. If you have any questions, feel free

to email Mr. Parnell parnelj@gcsnc.com

Step 1: Select band when you are registering for classes. Step 2: Fill out the new band member form and select your instrument. Students may pick Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet or Trombone. If you wish to play any other instrument you need Mr. Parnell’s approval Step 3: Wait until your contacted by Mr. Parnell. Once you are contacted, you may obtain the appropriate instrument and materials. You must have an instrument and method book by the start of school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Band? Band is a performance class where students learn how to play their instruments, Students give a variety of musical performances throughout the year as well as learn basic music history and music theory. Band is a progressive class which means we build on the skills we learn from our first year to our second and our second year to our third. Can I start or join Band in 7

th or 8

th Grade?

Students who did not take band in 6th grade but would like to start in 7

th grade must speak with Mr.

Parnell. Only 4 to 5 students will be selected to help fill in specific instruments. Student cannot start band in 8

th Grade

Performing Ensembles at Lincoln:

What are popular brands of instruments? Flute– Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Powell, Pearl Clarinet– Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer Trumpet and Trombone– Yamaha, King, Bach, Conn Should I RENT or PURCHASE an instrument? In the end, it is your decision. Many parents rent to own their instrument and I recommend this practice. Purchasing an instrument at the start may be cheaper and save you money in the long run. Many parents also obtain USED instruments from friends or family, adds in newspaper or pawn shops. My advice to this is to stick only with the major brands, and to have a repair technician look it over for a “tune up” prior to the start of school. I will also be happy to look at any instrument prior to the start of school. Typical repairs may take 2 to 3 weeks. Local Music Stores: Music and Arts, Burlington 1258 S. Church St. Burlington, NC 27215-5065 336-584-3338 Moore Music, Greensboro 615 W. Market St Greensboro, NC 27401 336-274-4636

6th Grade Beginning Band Jazz Band – 7th and 8th Grade

Concert Band Festival Band – 7th and 8th Grade

Symphonic Band Carowinds Band – 8th Grade

Pep Band – 7th and 8th Grade Honors Band – 6th, 7th and 8th Grade

Band

Career and Technical Education (CTE) in middle school provides students the opportunity to explore three program areas which include Business and Marketing. Family and Consumer Sciences, and Technology Engineering and Design. Students at The Academy at Lincoln can make more appropriate choices in their high school course selections. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Jackson at Jacksok3@gcsnc.com All students are eligible to sign up for these classes. 6th grade Exploring Nutrition and Wellness: Students will have an opportunity to explore more about making healthy food choices, under-standing the basic foundations of good nutrition and factors that affect fitness. Students devel-op knowledge and skills on basic food safety and sanitation practices. Careers in Nutrition & Wellness are identified. 7th grade Exploring Apparel and Interior Design Family and Consumer Sciences continue to be an important part of everyone’s education and maturity. Students focus on developing a foundation for the application of life management skills which include problem solving, decision making, interpersonal relationships and communication. Interactive programs and hands-on activities assist students in the exploration of apparel and design, and consumer education and careers in these areas. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers and communities. 8th Grade Exploring Personal Finance and Hospitality Continue the study of Family and Consumer Sciences focusing on developing additional skills personal finance and resource management, problem solving and decision making. Interactive programs and hands-on activities will introduce students to and understanding of how finances work and what it means to manage resources. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family Consumer Sciences Education. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers and communities.

Career and Technical Education– Family and Consumer Sciences

Unit 1- Problem Solving Unit 1 is a highly interactive and collaborative introduction to the field of computer science, as framed within the broader pursuit of solving problems. Through a series of puzzles, chal-lenges, and real-world scenarios, students are introduced to a problem-solving process that they will return to repeatedly throughout the course. Unit 2 - Web Development In Unit 2, students are empowered to create and share the content on their own web pag-es. They begin by thinking about the role of the web, and how it can be used as a medium for creative expression. As students develop their pages and begin to see themselves as programmers, they are encouraged to think critically about the impact of sharing infor-mation online and how to be more critical content consumers. Unit 3 - Animations and Games In Unit 3, students build on their coding experience as they create programmatic images, animations, interactive art, and games. Starting off with simple, primitive shapes and build-ing up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, students become familiar with the pro-gramming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. Unit 4 - The Design Process Unit 4 transitions students from thinking about computer science as a tool to solve their own problems towards considering the broader social impacts of computing. Through a se-ries of design challenges, students are asked to consider and understand the needs of oth-ers while developing a solution to a problem. Unit 5 - Data and Society This unit is about the importance of data in solving problems and highlights how computers can help in this process. The first chapter explores different systems used to represent in-formation in a computer and the challenges and tradeoffs posed by using them. In the sec-ond chapter, students learn how collections of data are used to solve problems, and how computers help to automate the steps of this process. Unit 6 - Physical Computing In Unit 6, students further develop their programming skills while exploring the role of hardware platforms in computing. Harkening back to the Input and Output elements of the Input/Storage/Processing/Output model for a computing, students look towards current and “smart” devices to understand the ways in which different sensors can provide more effective input and output than the traditional keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Using App Lab and Adafruit’s Circuit Playground, students develop programs that utilize the same hardware inputs and outputs that students saw in the smart devices they explored earlier, and they get to see how a simple rough prototype can lead to a finished product. The unit concludes with a design challenge that asks students to use the Circuit Playground as the basis for an innovation of their own design.

Career and Technical Education- Computer Science Discoveries (CSD).

The Academy at Lincoln Chorus program provides opportunities for students to expand their knowledge surrounding vocal performance. Each year will build on the concepts associated with listening to, moving with, reading, analyzing, and performing a variety of music. The music selection covers a broad variety of cultures and genres, and students will learn what it takes to perform as a member of a vocal ensemble. Any student may sign up for chorus at any point, regardless of whether or not they have taken the class previously. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact Emily Zaruba at tkacike@gcsnc.com 6th grade Class Students will learn the basics of sound production on the voice as an instrument, as well as learning to read music. Our goal is to learn how to “unlock” our best singing voice and expand the vocal range in a healthy way. We will learn both the numerical system and the Kodaly syllables for learning rhythm, and solfege system to learn reading pitches. Repertoire for performances will focus on unison and 2-part pieces as we work toward independent part singing. 7th grade Class In this class, students will expand upon their knowledge of reading music as well as performing music with a higher degree of difficulty. Because students can take Chorus at any point, we will spend the first part of the semester reviewing the basics, and then dive into more challenging repertoire. There is more focus on singing multiple parts simultaneously as well as reading and performing more complicated rhythms. 8th grade Class In this class, students will continue to develop music literacy and performance skills, as well as understanding more of the cultural and historical significance of vocal music. Healthy singing will be a particular focus of the class, as many 8th grade students will be navigating their voice change during this time. Repertoire will focus on 3-part or SAB singing, with singers divided by voice part. Other Opportunities: Various clubs are also available from year-to-year depending on interest. Clubs offered previously included A Capella Club, Caroling Club, and Show Choir.

Chorus

Dance

Dance at the Academy at Lincoln is an opportunity for students to get exposure to movement from an artistic standpoint. Students will gain experience learning ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop dance styles. As a dance educator my objective is to help my students develop a well-rounded artistic practice which includes body placement and alignment, elements of dance, connecting dance to other subject areas, and learning how to express themselves through choreographing their own dances.

If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Damman at dammank@gcsnc.com

Sixth grade -

Students in the sixth grade focus on dance in a creative movement context before moving into choreography and technique. Students learn the elements of dance (Body, Energy, Space, and Time) as well as choreography tools they can use to create movement of their own. Through learning a variety of dance techniques, students will build a solid foundation in dance. Dance styles that will be explored include ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. Students in this class will also gain experience choreographing their own dances. This is an intro level class, but students will be preparing for their chance to audition to become a dance major for 7th grade. The work students do in 6th grade dance will help inform whether or not they are fit to be a major. Students should take the class seriously, dress out, and work hard during each lesson. Classes are one semester long and are given the option to perform in the dance concert, but are not required. Students who are interested in becoming dance majors are advised (but not required) to take dance for a semester before auditions in the spring.

7th and 8th Dance Majors-

Dance Majors get opportunities to learn more rigorous techniques, learn choreography, and create

dances for performances in and out of school. Students will study modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, and

ballet. This level will also be expected to analyze and respond to movement they watch and create.

Dancers will learn dance history as they study each dance style and will make connections to their

personal lives as well as other curricular areas.

Majors will take dance year round and are expected to dress out daily for class, as well as perform

in two dance concerts, Guilford County Dance Day, and participate in other performances at

Lincoln and in Guilford County. This program is for serious dance students who have a passion for

dance or just want to enhance their skills through daily practice. Students are expected to

participate in each class unless there is a medical excuse. 7th and 8th grade students must audition

to be a dance major each spring. Anyone can audition to be a dance major but should understand

the responsibility of the position.

Orchestra Thank you for considering joining the Orchestra at The Academy at Lincoln! In the orchestra, you will get to play violin, viola, cello, or bass. We will discuss each of these Instruments and decide who will be playing which instruments in the first week of class. If you already play one of these instruments, you are more than welcome to continue with it, or you may decide to try something different. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Blanton at blantoc@gcsnc.com Frequently Asked Questions What is Orchestra? The Lincoln Orchestra’s mission is to teach the technical, aesthetic, imaginative, and crit-ical skills essential to the continually evolving field of instrumental music. Students who are interested in beginning orchestra should start in the 6th grade, as it is a “progressive” class. We build off the previous year’s progress. Orchestra is a major-only class. We meet every day. In the beginning, we learn about the makeup of the instrument, how to properly hold the in-strument and apply general music concepts to our instruments. Once the foundation has been laid, we start organizing our sounds to create music. We hold at least two concerts every year, one in the winter and one in the spring, to show off what we have learned throughout the year. Are there Extra-curricular Opportunities? In addition to the programs offered by The Academy at Lincoln, students in the Lincoln Or-chestra Program consistently earn spots in Honor Ensembles at the County and State lev-el. How do I obtain an instrument? A large factor in student’s success is the quality of their instrument. This monetary com-mitment should not be taken lightly. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I do not recommend purchasing or renting instruments from anyone other than reputable instru-ment dealers. Once your child has chosen an instrument and they have been sized, I will send home a letter, informing you of what is needed as well as possible vendors. Should I RENT or PURCHASE an instrument? String instruments come in different sizes; there is a correct size for each student based height and the length of arms/fingers. Violins, cellos, and basses come in 1/2, 3/4, and full sizes. Violas are sized by inches, usually between 13” and 17”. I will size students in the first week of school to identify the correct size of instrument; it is important that students are sized by a professional so the instrument can be played correctly and without injury. If the student is ready for a full size instrument and you wish to purchase, I am happy to advise you in that process. If they are not ready, then I recommend rental.

The Academy at Lincoln Physical Education and Health Education department is committed to providing a safe and diverse learning environment to all students. In Physical Education, students will be given opportunities to develop self-esteem, social interaction, fitness, and skill development, along with a complete understanding of many different activities and sports. In Health Education, students will cover First Aid/ CPR, Relationships, Nutrition, Drugs and Alcohol, Goal Setting, Decision Making and much more. We will provide the students with knowledge to develop a healthy lifestyle. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Alannah Haggerty at haggara@gcsnc.com or Kyle Davis at davisk6@gcsnc.com Physical Education

Physical education not only teaches the psycho-motor domain but the cognitive and affective domains as well. Our goal is to encourage the students to participate and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. We hope to accomplish this goal by providing a safe environment where each child is able to be successful in the activities taught in class. In Physical Education, a change of clothes is mandatory. Student must change clothes from what they wore to school that day. Proper gym wear is required (sneakers, etc). All students are expected to dress for Physical Education class every day. A physician’s certificate is required in order to be excuse from participation in any activity. Students who are too sick to participate will be excused to go to the office to call home if needed. Health Education In the coming years, your child will be making decisions that impact his or her physical, emotional, mental and social health. The purpose of the Health education class is to provide students with the knowledge and resources they need to make responsible and well-informed decisions about their health. As the course progresses, students will be asked to explore their values, opinions and beliefs about health. It is important that students receive mature guidance in the classroom and at home as they deal with these issues. An understanding of what constitutes good health and of the conscious decisions individuals make in order to reach and maintain a state of wellness will influence your child’s decisions for the rest of his or her life. It is my goal as your child’s health teacher to give them the knowledge needed to empower and strengthen them to make wise decisions concerning their health. The instructor will discuss required materials, books, etc. at the beginning of each health unit.

Physical Education and Health

The Academy at Lincoln Piano program is a unique opportunity for all students at Lincoln, regardless of experience on the instrument. Students will have access to our 20 piano keyboard lab for daily instruction. Students in piano class learn music reading, practice skills, and music history. There are typically two concerts every year—one in the winter, and one in the spring. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact Emily Zaruba at tkacike@gcsnc.com 6th grade Class Students will learn basic skills on the piano, with a focus on correct hand position and posture, music literacy, and practice skills. Music literacy instruction will focus on the notes of the grand staff, as well as rhythms in simple meters. 7th grade Class In this year, students will expand upon their knowledge of reading music as well as performing music with a higher degree of difficulty. Students with previous piano experience will be able to work at their own pace on self-selected repertoire with the guidance of the instructor. This class will also start to introduce more music history, as students learn the background information on the composers and pieces they are studying. 8th grade Class In this class, students with previous piano experience will continue to improve their skills will individualized, self-paced curriculum. This self-paced instruction allows all students to grow and learn, regardless of their starting point. In addition to fundamentals of technique and music literacy, this class will also allow students to explore improvisation and compositional skills.

Piano

Speaking a second language will open many different doors in your child’s life. By learn-ing Spanish, your child will be able to communicate with people who live in Spain, Latin America, Equatorial Guinea and United States. The Spanish-speaking world is rich in music, food, art, literature, and traditions. In this class, the students will develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing and cultural understanding. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Jose Proano at proanoj@gcsnc.com or call to the main office and leave a message (336 370 3471 Ext 1614) Spanish Level Intro 6th Grade: Sixth grade Spanish, This is an intro language course. This course prepares students to communicate on a variety of topics of interest to adolescents, they will learn about culture as it relates to the Spanish-speaking world. Spanish Level 1A 7th Grade: Seventh grade Spanish 1A, prepares students to communicate on a variety of topics of interest to adolescents (e.g., class schedules, food likes and dislikes, hobbies). They will learn about culture as it relates to the Spanish-speaking world. Students will develop all modes of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They will learn through interaction with others and individually. First Nine Weeks: Introductory Chapter & Chapter 1(A What do you like to do? B: What are you like ?) , Chapter 2 (A: What schedule do you have? B: How is your classroom? : Second Nine Weeks: Chapter 3 (A: What do you eat/drink for breakfast/ lunch? B: What do you eat/drink for dinner? Chapter 4 (A: Where you go and with whom? B: Extend, accept and decline invitations) Spanish Level 1B 8th Grade: Eighth grade Spanish 1B, prepares students to communicate on a variety of topics of interest to adolescents (e.g., family, family celebrations, homes, household chores, hobbies, clothes, shopping and prices). First nine weeks: Unit 4 review (A: Where do you go in your community? B: How do you spend your free time? Unit 5 (A: What are your family members like? B: How do you order food in a restaurant? Second nine weeks: 9 weeks: Unit 6 (A: What is your dream bedroom/house like? B: What are your chores? Unit 7 (A: What type of clothing do you like? What does it cost? B: How can you talk about purchases you have made (past tense)?

Spanish

The Academy at Lincoln Theatre department is committed to providing a comprehensive learning environment to all students. Through classwork, community involvement, field trips and opportunities to strive outside of the classroom, students are given all the tools to function as an artist and become well– rounded individuals. In the theatre class, we not only strive to make our learners be successful on stage, but also in the real world. This class is designed to create people who are passionate about life, work hard to create products they are proud of and to create good role models for our future generations. We spend time creating, nurturing, and reaching for the standards that are placed so we can be proud of the work we accomplish. In order to be in a Theatre class, please follow the steps below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Cassy Whitley at whitlec@gcsnc.com. 6th grade Everyone is urged to take Theatre in the 6th grade. All you need to do is sign up for the class. In this class, we learn all the basic Theatre knowledge you will need to be successful in 7th and 8th grade. In this class, you will learn what it is like to be a professional in the Theatrical world. 7th and 8th Majors You must audition to be in a Theatre majors class. Audition requirements are to fill out a short questionnaire and a formal audition of a monologue of your choosing. By attending this class everyday, students get a more rigorous and in-depth look into Theatre. This class will be involved in many more hands on experiences through field trips and various opportunities within the community. Students will fully learn what it means to be a professional. Students are urged to audition for one or more of the school plays we have each year. Majors also perform at Performing Arts Day and Open House. Majors will also have the opportunity to attend the International Thespian Society Festival. Majors will also attend various field trips during the school year to better understand what it means to be a professional in Theater. 7th and 8th Minors Any student can be a Theatre minor. Just sign up on your class selection sheet. These classes offer a glimpse into the world of Theatre. Students will work on basic Theatre terminology and experience what it means to be an artist.

Theater

Contact information

Art Mary Arante– arantem@gcsnc.com

Band

Jonathan Parnell– parnelj@gcsnc.com

Career and Technical Education Karen Jackson– jacksok3@gcsnc.com

Business and Technology

Joel Jablonski– jablonj@gcsnc.com

Chorus/ Piano Emily Zaruba– tkacike@gcsnc.com

Dance

Katherine Damman– dammank@gcsnc.com

Orchestra Christen Blanton– blantoc@gcsnc.com

Physical Education and Health

Alannah Haggerty– haggera@gcsnc.com Kyle Davis– davisk6@gcsnc.com

Spanish

Jose Proano– proanoj@gcsnc.com

Theatre Cassy Whitley– Whitlec@gcsnc.com