Beginning Band:

This full-year course is designed for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students who have no previous band experience. They will develop their basic musicianship while performing in two to three concerts per year. Instrument selection will be completed in the first two weeks of school, and instrument rentals are available. There will be a fair share fee for this course which covers uniform shirt, band books, music, clinicians, small accessories, rewards, and other class essentials. Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. Before making this selection, parents are encouraged to visit our music page on our website.
https://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/zentz-l/band/

Concert Band (1-year previous experience required):

This full-year course is designed for middle school students who have at least one year of prior band experience. Students will continue to develop their musicianship while performing at least two times per year. There will be a fair share fee for this course which covers uniform shirt, band books, binder, small accessories, rewards and other class essentials. Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. While both band classes will learn popular Grade 1 tunes, “Concert Band” class will spend more time in this genre while “Symphonic Band” will learn more traditional band literature. Parents are encouraged to visit our music page on our website.
https://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/zentz-l/band/

Jazz Band (Must also be enrolled in Concert Band – teacher recommendation required:

This full-year course is designed as an enrichment performance group, offered to intermediate level band students by invitation. This class is an introduction to jazz improvisation, swing, blues, rock, and Latin music. There will be at least three performances per year. Students must take Concert Band or Symphonic Band in addition to Jazz Band unless the director approves. There is no extra fair share for this class, unless this is the student’s only band class.

Beginning Guitar:

This full-year course is designed for students with little or no guitar experience. Students will develop basic guitar skills and knowledge, including simple and full-strum chords, strumming patterns, playing/singing simple melodies, foundational music theory, parts of the guitar, and ensemble skills. Beginning guitarists explore the careers and music of significant performers in pop/rock, jazz, blues, classical, country, bluegrass, and hard rock/metal genres. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals.  This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source.

Three-Dimensional Studio Art:

This full-year course introduces students to the rigor and routine of the art production process, including planning, producing, and reflecting on Art. With an emphasis on 3D studio arts, students explore various 2D and 3D media, skills, and techniques related to contemporary and historical art perspectives. Projects may include but not be limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media, pottery, and sculpture. Students develop technical skills, foster their expressive abilities, and employ the elements of Art throughout the production process. All consumable materials will be supplied- including sketchbooks, pens and pencils. There is a $25.00 FairShare fee associated with this course.

Beginning Spanish:

This full year course introduces students to the Spanish language and the vibrant cultures of the Spanish speaking world. Students will build a strong foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through interactive activities, real world communication, and cultural exploration. Along the way, they will discover traditions, foods, music, and daily life from a variety of Spanish speaking countries.

***Students who successfully complete two years of Spanish in middle school can convert those courses into high school world language credit, giving them a valuable head start toward graduation and advanced language study.***

Introduction to Coding and Web Design:

This year long class focuses on the teaching of Web Design. Students learn how websites are created and how information is shared online.  Students also learn the basics of HTML and CSS to build and design their own webpage, adding text, images, links, colors, and layouts.  Through hands-on projects, students develop problem solving, creativity, and digital literacy skills while learning how to communicate ideas responsibly and effectively using technology. In this course, students connect their computer skills with real- world applications as they explore careers and workplace pathways.

Innovation Lab: Stem Research and Problem Solving:

Innovators Lab: STEM Research and Problem Solving is an inquiry-driven course designed to help students develop strong research skills while applying them to hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics challenges. Students will explore authentic problems, conduct scientific investigations, and design innovative solutions using the research process as the foundation for all STEM-based learning. Throughout the course, students will learn to determine, refine, and analyze research questions, design testable hypotheses, gather and evaluate evidence, and communicate their findings using formal academic and scientific formats. This course integrates structured science labs, engineering design challenges, and the development of an independent or team STEM Fair or major cross-disciplinary research project.

Visual Media and Design (Yearbook):

Students will be introduced to the world of digital media using programs such as Canva, Adobe Express and Photo Shop. They will gain real world experience in production of student publications such as the yearbook and school magazine. They will learn skills in lay-out and design, photography and journalistic writing.