The Photography 1B class will build on skills learned in Photography 1A. In addition, students will learn basic studio lighting and more advanced darkroom techniques to obtain better results when printing in black and white. Still life is a major aspect of the program and images from the following artists will be presented: Edward Weston, Renger-Patzsch, Minor White and Aaron Siskind. At the end the semester, students will do research on the biography and style of a photographer who has made important aesthetic advances in history. The final project will consist of creating still life images with thematic unity.
Sculpture B
3D Studies/Mixed Media Sculpture B continues the exploration of the visual world; its relationships of form and space — in the context of historical examples, environmental/cultural impact, creative self-expression and collaborative pieces. Field trips to local museums and sculpture collections and some written work will complement the original work created by the student in the studio and at home.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
Studio Art B
As a follow-up course to Studio Art A, the Studio Art B class will place emphasis on the concept of connection and progression in developing and expanding a visual image. A more refined sense of visual decision-making and creative initiative will be stressed and expected of the mature visual arts student. Students will use a variety of materials, techniques, and styles to explore themselves in relationship to their personal history, community, and their God. We will work in acrylic paint, water color paint, pencil, oil pastel, colored pencil, linoleum block prints, and a variety of mixed media materials. A special project involving an in depth self-study through visual images will urge the student to see her/himself in various aspects; with a connection to a specific community, a realistic self-portrait and a non-objective symbol that strikes a familiar resounding chord.
Drama 1C: Advanced Musical Theater Workshop (Spring)
Drama 1C: Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop is an after-school workshop exploring drama, dance and music theories and their application in performance. To that end, students will explore acting, singing, dancing, rehearsal, performance, and technical/design skills culminating in the production of a full-length Broadway musical in the Spring semester. Students will also learn about the historical and cultural significance of the selected piece of musical theatre. Students are admitted on the basis of a competitive audition and interviews held at the beginning of the semester.
This course is offered outside of the 2:45 am – 3:00 pm school day.
Meets 3-5 times per week, afternoons or evenings, 3 hours per meeting.
*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA
AP French Language and Culture
French 4AP is a two-semester advanced language course designed for students who have excelled in French 1, 2H, and 3H and who are interested in pursuing a more rigorous course of study in the language and cultures of the francophone world. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate and improve proficiency in the three modes of communication—Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational—defined as foundational in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. This course will enhance the student’s cognitive, analytical, and communicative skills while emphasizing both fluency and accuracy in French. Authentic materials from the francophone world will be used to enhance student exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. There are 6 primary themes presented throughout the year: Beauty and Aesthetics, Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Family and Community. These themes, which also parallel the content of the AP exam, will be addressed through literature, art, music, poetry, politics, and world events. The class is conducted entirely in the target language and students are expected to speak in French at all times.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
**Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Jazz Band C
Jazz Band prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1920s through the present, focusing primarily on large-ensemble jazz in the Big Band and swing tradition. This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program. Jazz Band will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several festivals or adjudicated performances.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 2 afternoons per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.
*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA
Jazz Combo C
Jazz Combo prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1940s through the present, focusing primarily on small-ensemble jazz and solo improvisation. This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program. Jazz Combo will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several additional performances at SI and around the Bay Area.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 afternoon per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.
*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA
French 3
French 3 is an intermediate level language course designed for those students who have acquired satisfactory competency during their first two years of language study. The course builds upon the skills and material covered in French 1 and 2. It reviews all major grammatical structures and introduces a broader scope of grammatical knowledge. Emphasis is placed on improving oral skills, broadening the range of grammatical structures the student can effectively use in writing and conversation, enriching the student’s vocabulary, and deepening his/her awareness of present day social justice issues within the French-speaking world. This class is conducted in French, except when complex grammar concepts require a clearer explanation in English. Through a variety of cultural activities, the course will enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of the incredible diversity of the French–speaking world and will encourage and enable the student to broaden his/her “French life.” Students are expected to speak in French at all times.
French 4
French 4 is a two-semester course for students who have received an A, B or C+ in French 3 and/or teacher approval. This course is designed for students who are interested in using their foundation in French to explore in greater depth the cultures of the francophone world through art, film, literature, history, current events, and social justice issues. The primary aim of this course is to improve the student’s ability to speak, read, write and comprehend French in more sophisticated social, historical and political contexts. The student will review vocabulary and grammar, master new advanced language concepts, and enhance his/her knowledge of the cultural diversity of the French-speaking world. The class is conducted entirely in French except for complex grammatical explanations and students are expected to speak in French at all times.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
Latin 1
The Cambridge Latin Course, Units 1 and 2, open the door to the Latin language and literature for the beginning student through adapted readings about a Roman family living in Pompeii. Students will engage in the following activities: reading Latin aloud and silently; asking and answering Latin questions about the readings; translating Latin sentences into English and vice-versa; memorizing and using vocabulary; developing listening and speaking skills; studying the history and origin of English words derived from Latin; and learning about the customs, history, and mythology of the ancient Romans, especially as they have affected our own culture today. The aims of the course are: to teach students to read Latin accurately and confidently; and to familiarize students with life in the early Roman Empire.