The elective program is offered with the intention of providing students the opportunity to explore aspects of education not necessarily covered in the core curriculum. Some electives may be compatible for academic credit—this is an important consideration for students who plan on participating in a semester or year-long program outside of TSA. The state of Vermont requires 4 years of English. Please meet with Kimberly Barnhart kbarnhart@sharonacademy.net if you have any questions regarding credits.
Students are encouraged to keep the big picture in mind when considering their options so that all requirements are anticipated, thus avoiding the "senior scramble" to collect studio art or physical education credits. Also important to note is that all electives, whether graded or pass/fail, will be included on a student's transcript.
Below is the schedule of electives offered at TSA for the 2008-2009 school year. This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
| Teacher |
Marking Period 1 |
Marking Period 2 |
Marking Period 3 |
Marking Period 4 |
Dale Turner
|
|
Philosophy |
Indian Country Today |
|
| Brian |
Coach |
Music Composition |
Reading Brian Greene |
Hydropower |
| Charlie |
Play-Actors |
Intro to Theatre |
One Acts |
Poetry |
| Christa |
Play-Actors |
---------------------- |
DR |
---------------------- |
| Flo |
Strategy Games |
Guy de Maupassant |
Cultural Perspectives |
Strategy Games |
| Jim W. |
TASC |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
Architecture |
| Kevin |
N/A |
The Republic |
Winter Recreation |
Weightlifting |
| Margaret |
Election |
Junior Exhibition |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
| Mary |
Play-Band |
---------------------- |
DR |
--------------------- |
| Rob |
Coach |
Junior Exhibition |
---------------------- |
Model U.N. |
| Seth |
Coach |
Junior Exhibition |
Winter Recreation |
Model U.N. |
| Seth S. |
Technical Theatre |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
| Stephanie |
Book Club |
Junior Exhibition |
Creative Writing |
Anthropology |
| Student |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
Acapella |
| Laura Perry |
Intro Art--(SEMESTER) |
Intro Art--(SEMESTER) |
Intro Art--(SEMESTER) |
Intro Art--(SEMESTER) |
| Laura DeCapua |
Photography I |
Yearbook |
Book Arts |
Photo II |
| ART |
Oil Painting |
Creating Comics |
Creating Comics |
Architecture |
| Louise |
Study Hall |
Study Hall |
Study hall |
Study Hall |
Course Descriptions for all Art Classes offered in 2008-2009.
Below is a complilation of elective descriptions for the first marking period at TSA.
First Marking Period High School Elective Choices:
The Musical Elective
This course is open to students whose responsibilities for the interim musical production are significant enough to warrant time spent in the quarter leading up to its launch. This includes lead roles and major production committee heads. Enrollment is assigned by the production team, or by permission of Charlie as director. Charlie McMeekin & Christa Wurm
Band/Play
We will learn the music for the TSA musical, Guys and Dolls. Students are expected to be prepared for class; with music, instruments, musical equipment, and must be able to demonstrate that they have spent adequate time practicing for the class. Students will be graded on their preparedness, their attitude and respect of other students in the class. All instrumentalists, drummers, and guitar players are welcome. Mary Newman
Technical Theater
Learn about the technical aspects of a theater production, and step up for an important role in the Beauty and the Beast production. Learn the ins and outs of sound, light design and stage management. Seth Stoddard - Technical Director, Chandler Center for the Arts
Strategy Games
Learn about famous battles throughout History and play board games such as Risk, Diplomacy, Stratego and Go. Expect to be graded on your research and presentations on battles around the world. No prior knowledge of either History or gaming necessary. The approximate price of the required book is $9. If this is a hardship, please let us know. Florence Tolbert
Book Club
Instructor: Stephanie Gergely
Elections
This elective will cover the history and mechanics of elections at the local, state, and national level, with an emphasis on this year's races. Instructor: Margaret Cheney
Introduction to Art (This is a SEMESTER LONG COURSE)
Students will be introduced to a wide range of art techniques and materials through the process of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional projects. The first portion of the course concentrates on a drawing and painting project based on portraits. The second project relates to fashion and/or sculpture, and the last part of the class is dedicated to a printmaking project based on graphics. The course teaches basic art and design techniques for each area of study. Students are expected to develop work in an individual way and present and exhibit work at the end of every project. Study outside of class will also be expected. This general art class aims to cover many approaches to art and design to help inspire students to continue their own personal exploration of the visual arts in future arts offerings at TSA. The course is two marking periods. Instructor: Laura Perry
Oil Painting I & II
Students exploring oil painting for the first time, or students who would like to further their study of oil painting methods are welcome in this course. Students will investigate drawing, mixing colors, working with edges and composition by painting several small sketches before moving onto a larger final painting. The course is one marking period. Instructor: TBA
Photography I
Students will explore basic technical and artistic aspects of black and white photography using 35mm film cameras. The course combines in class and out of class photography assignments, group critiques and individual reflection to achieve a general understanding of photography as a visual language. Students will learn how to develop film, edit negatives, communicate ideas visually and create a portfolio of images, while interpreting life through the lens of a camera. The course is one marking period. Students need a 35mm SLR film camera for the course. Instructor: Laura DeCapua
Questions? Please email Christa Wurm. To sign up for electives email cwurm@sharonacadem.net.