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The mission of the Worcester Public Schools Arts curriculum is to prepare students to be artistically literate citizens with a lifelong interest and appreciation for the arts. Students will create, present and perform, respond and connect to artistic works in multiple media, define and defend their artistic voice, and become creative and collaborative problem solvers who actively contribute to our global community. Our curriculum pathways seek to develop expertise in at least one area of the arts and deepen understanding of self and society through the artistic media.

Course Numbers:6062 (0.50)(H) | 6063 (0.50)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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2D Design: In this course, students will use the Elements and Principles of Design to explore works on a Two Dimensional plane. Students will examine the difference between expression and communication as well as engage in inquiry and problem-solving. Students will use traditional and digital media to understand the creative process by conceiving and completing a project that demonstrates experimentation, invention, and technical mastery. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6142 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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2D Design Magnet: In this course, students will refine their use of the Elements and Principles of Design to create a portfolio of work focusing on the two dimensional plane utilizing inquiry and problem-solving skills. With materials chosen from the 2D Design course (traditional or digital) students will complete an investigation, with evidence of complex ideas, that demonstrate intention, originality, innovation, and technical mastery. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6082 (0.50)(H) | 6083 (0.50)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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3D Design: In this course, students will build on key understandings and skills and will use the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design, and build works in a three-dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. Students will complete assignments and critiques in which they think through 3 Dimensional works in an additive and/or subtractive method and engage in reflection and critique of current sculptural practices. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6152 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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3D Design Magnet: In this course, students will refine their use of the Elements and Principles of Design to visualize, design, and build works in a three-dimensional plane, whether physical or virtual. Students will focus their fabrication techniques through the strategic use of materials and will address issues of understanding and envisioning space, objects, and scale and the built environment. Students will complete assignments and critiques that demonstrate their ability to analyze 3 Dimensional works in an additive/subtractive manner. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:61062 (0.50)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Acting: Character Study Magnet - In this course, students will continue an in-depth study of script analysis for creating a character, as well as writing character analyses. Based on performance, this course will push its students to further investigate performance and creating character through the foundational elements of creating, performing, responding, and connecting. In this course, students will perform for various formal audiences. This course is the first course in year two of the Theater Magnet. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6072 (0.50)(H) | 6073 (0.50)(C)

Type: MS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced 2D Design: In this course, students will advance their use of the Elements and Principles of Design to create a portfolio of work focusing on the two Dimensional planes, building on skills developed in the 2D Design course. Students will create portfolios with either traditional or digital materials that reveal intention, originality, and technical mastery. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6092 (0.50)(H) | 6093 (0.50)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced 3D Design: In this course, students will explore the elements of art and principles of design while applying them to a 3-dimensional format using various media. Students will explore historical periods to discover the roots of modern sculptural pieces and will complete critiques and assessments in order to refine the process of creative expression. Students will examine professional work as well as their own. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers61212 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Acting I Magnet - In the course, students will work collaboratively to explore movement, voice, script analysis, and advanced characterization techniques to create fully realized performances. Students will perform in various informal and formal productions of various genres. Students will also explore audition techniques for college programs. This course is part of the Theater Magnet Performance Concentration. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:61262 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Acting II Magnet -In this course, students will continue to work collaboratively to explore movement, voice, script analysis, and advanced characterization techniques to create fully realized performances. The highest level of acting study in the theater magnet students will perform in various informal and formal productions of various genres. Students will also explore audition techniques for college programs. This course is part of the Theater Magnet Performance Concentration. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6032 (0.50)(H) | 6033 (0.50)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Drawing: In this course, students will deepen fundamentals introduced in the Drawing class and refine visual thoughts and ideas through self-selected media and techniques. Students will continue to work with the observed and imagined figure, still life, landscape, and thematic content. Students will further develop their analytical skills to critique their own art as well as art from various historical periods. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:61402 (0.25)(H) | 61403 (0.25)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Drawing Pt 1: In this course, students will deepen fundamentals introduced in the Drawing class and refine visual thoughts and ideas through self-selected media and techniques. Students will continue to work with the observed and imagined figure, still life, landscape, and thematic content. Students will further develop their analytical skills to critique their own art as well as art from various historical periods. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:61412 (0.25)(H) | 61413 (0.25)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Drawing Pt 2: In this course, students will deepen fundamentals introduced in the Drawing class and refine visual thoughts and ideas through self-selected media and techniques. Students will continue to work with the observed and imagined figure, still life, landscape, and thematic content. Students will further develop their analytical skills to critique their own art as well as art from various historical periods. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6052 (0.50)(H) | 6053 (0.50)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Painting: In this course, students will deepen painting skills, concepts, and themes introduced in the Painting class. Students will further advance their painting on a two-dimensional surface, building structure and composition; color; flat pattern; modeling and light; and texture. Students will explore and research the history of the medium as well as examine its' transition into more contemporary practices. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:61272 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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Advanced Technical Theater -In this course, students will study how to use research, script analysis, design elements, and collaborative work to design the technical elements for a theatrical production. Students will also draw upon the skills learned in previous technical theater classes to execute the student-led designs. This course is part of the Theater Magnet Technical Theater Concentration. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:6442 (1.00)(H) | 6443 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Art & Music

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American Rhythm Tap - In this course, students will study a style of American Rhythm Tap using precise rhythmical patterns of foot movement and audible foot tapping. This style of dance is derived from the traditional clog dance of Northern England, the jigs and reels of Ireland and Scotland, and the rhythmic foot stamping of African dances. The class will engage in thorough warm-up exercises, across the floor combinations, rhythm and techniques emphasis, followed by routine and combination work. Focus in this class will include contemporary and improvisational and rhythm tap styles. Students learning outcomes will include the ability to analyze and break down warm-up and practice habits; a deep understanding of tap technique and terminology; and the ability to evaluate and relate tap dance with regard to contemporary culture. As an honors-level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.