Cannon Junior High School Curriculum

Cannon Junior High School

5850 S. Euclid Street
Las Vegas, NV 89120-2449
702-799-5600

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Curriculum Electives

The elective courses are detailed below for all grades. Final elective courses are tentative, depending on pre-registration numbers, staffing, and facility availability. Students should have more than one elective choice in mind when pre-registering.

Band and orchestra students
There is a $30.00 maintenance fee required of all students who use a school district instrument. This fee must be paid before the instrument will be issued.

All Performing Arts students
Students will be responsible for expenses associated with competitions and performances. Students will be responsible for additional fees, which can be offset by fundraising efforts.

ADVANCED ART (Grade 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This disciplined-based year-long course is designed to develop and expand visual art knowledge and skills in order to express ideas imaginatively. It offers continuing opportunities to expand knowledge of historical and cultural developments to provide a basis for aesthetic judgments. Experiences are general in nature and a variety of media are used to foster creativity in students. A $25.00 art fee is required.

ADVANCED BAND (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This one-year class continues with advanced instruction of technical and performing skills for students with at least 2 years of experience. Performance standards will be emphasized and students will be encouraged to form small ensembles or prepare solos to demonstrate independent skills. This band will represent our school and community at all concerts and festivals sponsored by the district. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

ADVANCED CHORUS (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This course is designed to teach advanced music fundamentals and comprehensive musicianship. Students in this ensemble are also eligible for participation in District Middle School/Junior High Honor Choir and Solo and Ensemble. Students enrolling in this course are taught and expected to maintain high standards of cooperation and vocal ability. The students will represent our school at various school, community, and District level concerts and festivals. Enrollment in this course is determined by auditions held at the end of each school year. Students new to Cannon JHS may audition during the first two weeks of the new school year for placement in this class. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

ADVANCED ORCHESTRA (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This one-year class continues with advanced instruction of technical and performing skills for students with at least 2 years of experience. Performance standards will be emphasized and students will be encouraged to form small ensembles or prepare solos to demonstrate independent skills. This orchestra will represent our school and community at all concerts and festivals sponsored by the district. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

BEGINNING BAND (Grades 6, 7, 8): This is a first year class for those students who have had very little or no previous musical training. This course is designed to teach the basic fundamentals of playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Instruments may be rented from local music stores for a nominal fee. Students who wish to enroll in this class should mark their registration form and identify three musical instruments (in order of preference) they would like to play. Instruments for which instruction is provided include: Flute, Clarinet, *Oboe, *Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, and *Tuba. Every attempt will be made to place the students in a beginning band class according to one of the instruments they have selected. The availability of school-loaned instruments is limited; therefore, students without an instrument at the end of the second week of classes will be placed in an alternative elective. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course. (*The school provides these instruments.)

BEGINNING CHORUS (Grades 6, 7, 8): This is a first year class for those students who have had very little or no previous musical training. This course is designed to teach basic fundamentals of music and begin the study of vocal production and comprehensive musicianship. The students will have opportunities to perform at Cannon choir concerts as well as Clark County School District Choral Festivals. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

BEGINNING ORCHESTRA (Grades 6, 7, 8): This is a first year class for those students who have had very little or no previous training. This course is designed to teach the basic fundamentals of playing a stringed instrument limited to violin, viola, cello, and stringed bass. Instruments may be rented from local music stores for a nominal fee. The availability of school-loaned instruments is limited; therefore, students without an instrument at the end of the second week of classes will be placed in an alternative elective. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

COMPUTER LITERACY 6 (Grade 6): This semester course is designed to familiarize the student with the use of the computer as a tool. Recent computer development, and computer use and misuse will also be explored. The vocabulary, components, and structure of computers will be examined. This course will meet the computer competency requirement for high school graduation.

COMPUTER LITERACY 8 (Grade 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application Required): This course is designed to expand the students’ knowledge of computer applications. The course will include word processing, information management, electronic spreadsheet, and the Internet. Computer programming, desktop publishing, and multimedia skills will be developed.

ENRICHMENT ELECTIVE (Bilingual Ambassador)* (Grade 7, 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application Required): This class is designed to help Cannon’s non-English proficient students. Ambassadors will be assigned to classrooms as needed. The following are ambassador requirements: bilingual Spanish speaker, responsible, conscientious, and cooperative. Ambassadors will be expected to tutor students in math, science, reading and social science. Ambassadors will need to have a good understanding of the subject in which they will tutor.

EXPLORATIONS 6/Beginning Art (Grade 6):
Explorations 6---This elective explores basic concepts of two particular subjects. Subjects may include music appreciation, study skills, career awareness, etc. One semester of this class allows students to learn basic fundamentals of art using various mediums as well as art history. A semester art fee of $10.00 is required to pay for consumable materials.

EXPLORATIONS 7 (Grade 7) (Prerequisite – Approved Application May Be Required): This one-year course, designed to give selected 7th grade students an additional elective choice, will be granted only after careful consideration of other electives. Subjects may include music appreciation, study skills, career awareness, student aide, computer literacy, etc.

EXPLORATIONS 8 (Grade 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application May Be Required): This one-year course, designed to give selected 7th grade students an additional elective choice, will be granted only after careful consideration of other electives. Subjects may include music appreciation, study skills, career awareness, etc.

INTERMEDIATE ART (Grades 7, 8): This course is designed to develop essential basic skills of expression and understanding in art. All art experiences are an extension of the elementary discipline-based art program and stress exploratory and experimental approaches in understanding, creating, and responding to art. A $20.00 art fee is required.

INTERMEDIATE BAND (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This class is for those students who have played a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument for at least one year but are not quite ready for Advanced Band. By playing a variety of musical styles and working on musical technique, students in this class will work to acquire the skills necessary for advancement into Advanced Band. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

INTERMEDIATE CHORUS (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This class is for students who have had some experience in singing but are not ready for placement in advanced ensemble. In this course, students will receive instruction in basic fundamentals of music, sing in a variety of musical styles and enhance vocal technique. Students in this class will work to acquire the skills necessary for placement in the Advanced Chorus or Vocal Ensemble. The students will have opportunities to perform at Cannon choir concerts as well as the Clark County School District Choral Festivals. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA (Grades 7, 8) (Prerequisite - Permission Of Instructor): This one-year class is for those students who have up to one year of playing experience on a stringed instrument. Students will continue to receive instruction to develop basic playing skill necessary for performance of a variety of orchestra literature. Students will perform various styles of music, and high performance standards will be emphasized. Student attendance at practices and performances outside of the regular school day is an important part of this course.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Required elective for Grades 6, 7, 8): The physical education classes are designed to allow students the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities. The curriculum will include individual, dual and team sports, physical fitness activities, and recreational sports and games. In addition to the physical aspects of the program, students will work to develop a sense of team spirit, demonstrate good sportsmanship, develop positive self-esteem, appreciate other individual performances, and understand the rules of the games being played. The primary goal for each class will be to instill a lifetime commitment to physical fitness and health, and provide an opportunity for students to perform to the best of their individual abilities. P.E. clothes cost $15.00 and may be purchased in August. Students are issued P.E. lockers for the entire year upon request. Please bring a combination lock for safe keeping of items. Showers are not required but are available. It is suggested P.E. clothes be taken home weekly for laundering. The duration of the course is one semester.

PUBLICATIONS (Grade 7, 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application Required): This one-year course is designed as an introduction to journalism and layout design. Concepts of journalism will be applied through the publication of the yearbook and development and updating of the Cannon Cardinal website. A recommendation from the yearbook teacher and the current school year English teacher is required through an application process.

STUDENT CAFETERIA TRAINING* (Grade 7, 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application Required): This course is designed to allow students to work in the school cafeteria. Under the direction of a food supervisor, students will gain experience in food service handling, money handling, customer service, and following directions.

STUDENT-AIDE (Grade 8) (Prerequisite – Approved Application Required): This course is designed for 8th grade students to assist faculty members or teachers throughout the school. Under the direction of the supervising teacher/faculty member, students will gain experience in clerical duties, laboratory assistance, working with various faculty members and following directions.

*Students wishing to be bilingual ambassadors, student aides, or cafeteria aides must complete an application form prior to being scheduled in these classes. An application form can be picked up in the counseling office.