El Dorado

Art 1: This is an introductory art class into the fundamentals of creating compositions, drawing, painting, art history, art appreciation, and aesthetic judgment. Projects in the class will emphasize the elements and principles of design.  This course is a prerequisite for Art II/ Advanced and AP Art.

 

Art 2/Advanced: Advanced Art is an extension of the skills and techniques developed in Art 1. This course is intended for students who wish to continue their studies of drawing, painting, and art history.  Projects will require the students to work and create at a more advanced level.

 

Yearbook: This course offers instruction in and practice of the principles of yearbook production. Students will gain skills in design, layout, photography, salesmanship, PageMaker, and word processing computer skills. (PageMaker is not offered at EDHS.)

 

3-D Design: This is an introductory course. Introduces composition design, as well as the basic elements and principles of design involved with 2- and 3-dimensional art. Areas of study may include ceramics, collage, metalwork, stained glass, plaster, printmaking, and other media. This course satisfies the VAPA graduation requirement. This course is a prerequisite for Advanced 3-Dimensional Design. Problem solving is emphasized.

 

Advanced 3-D Design: This course is designed for the serious art student who wants to continue working with 2- and 3-dimensional design on a more advanced level. Class work and individual assignments will be emphasized throughout the year. Elements and principles of design are emphasized. Computer graphics may be presented. This course satisfies the VAPA graduation.

 

Advanced 3-D Design Ceramics: This advanced 3-dimensional design class explores various hand building and potter's wheel techniques, along with staining and glazing of finished ceramic projects.

 

Advanced Placement Art and Design: The AP Art and Design program enables highly motivated students to do college-level work while in high school. AP Art and Design is not based on a written examination; instead, candidates submit a portfolio of work for evaluation and possible college credit at the end of the school year. AP work does involve significantly more time and commitment than most high school courses; therefore, the program is intended for students seriously committed to the study of art.

 

 

Dance 3: Dance III is a course designed for students who are interested in pursuing an academic and extracurricular experience in dance but need to further develop technical and performance skills before enrolling in Dance Production. Emphasis will be placed on developing technical strength, performance confidence, and personal responsibility in developing artistic goals. Each student may perform in front of a school or community audience regularly.

 

Dance Production: This year long course is designed to support serious dancers in pursuit of academic and extracurricular experience in dance. Students will be required to develop artistic goals and work to achieve them through technique and performance. Students will study in detail various dance styles through research and choreography, as well as create, develop, and teach their own dance works to the school and community. A focus on the elements of production will be required, including, but not limited to, sets, costumes, lighting, and make-up. Attendance is mandatory at all performances and extra rehearsals.

 

Choreography: This advanced level dance course develops knowledge and skill in the theory and craft of choreography. It entails elements of dance making such as qualities of movement, musicality, and concept development. Students will develop their choreography using building blocks as steps of the choreographic process, including: inspiration, music choice, analyzing lyrics, and developing a theme. Students' Attention is given to developing appropriate skill level composition for the coinciding course the student is developing the choreography for. Students taking dance choreography will be developing their skills by introducing their movement to the class they are assigned to. (Either Dance 1, Dance 2, or Dance 3). By leading their peers, this experience will allow them to experience group design (solos, duets, small ensembles, or diverse groupings) and broaden their experience in public speaking.

 

 

Drama: The first semester will survey the basic skills every actor needs, such as theatre terminology, movement, improvisation, and vocal techniques. The second semester will explore acting techniques, including extensive practice in character development, line interpretation, and stage presence, culminating in performance. Course requirements include 10 hours per semester of extracurricular theatre experience.

 

Advanced Drama: Advanced acting requires a full understanding of the theatre, past and present, so students will study history and genre through class activities and scene work in a variety of periods and types of plays. Training in makeup, costuming, sound and lighting techniques, and directing will also be offered. Play production will be part of the class as well. Students will develop a promotional campaign, design programs and sets, pursue acting and script skills such as identification of a playwright's intent, what mood a play requires, and how sets affect the play. The emphasis will be on theatre as an art form. Course requirements include 20 hours per semester of extracurricular activity. Advanced Drama (#0621) and Advanced Drama Second Year (#0622) will meet the 4th year high school English requirement.