ELECTIVES
Art 1 – Prerequisite: None. Open to grades 8-12. 2 semesters
This course will provide students with exposure to a wide variety of art mediums at an introductory level. They will explore line and form in black and white mediums and then translate those same concepts to color mediums. They will also work with three-dimensional mediums. They will observe works of historical artists, but mainly learn by doing.

Art II – Prerequisite: Art I

• Art II – Advanced Painting 1 - semester
  This course will begin with a review of color concepts and then progress to a deeper study of acrylic and watercolor mediums. Students will also be introduced to oil painting. Emphasis will be placed on sending a message through their artwork and special interest projects will include a holiday banner and permanent school mural.
• Art II – Advanced Black and White - 1 semester
  This course will start out with a focus on drawing people and then progress toward incorporating that into a composition. Students will learn how to accurately produce portrait and figure drawings and then turn their focus toward the laws of perspective. Their end objective will be to render a recognizable drawing of a real person with a realistic background.
• Art II – Advanced 3-D - 1 semester
  This course will provide students with an advanced study of sculpture and carving. Students will learn advanced hand-building methods as well as learn to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. They will be exposed to a variety of modeling and carving mediums, as well as finishing mediums. A favorite class project will be making a lifelike mask. Emphasis will be placed on developing craftsmanship, originality, and presentation.
• Art II – Graphic Art - 1 semester
  This course will prepare students to produce artwork to be used in the commercial field. Students will learn how to produce artwork that can be photocopied and manipulated graphically. They will use graphic programs on the computer as well as produce work by hand. They will explore a wide variety of projects ranging from designing greeting cards and business ads to painting wall murals.

Current Events – This course allows students to discuss, examine and evaluate the events that are taking place globally, at the state level and locally. The major goal of the class is to have students understand and appreciate the importance of the events that are taking place in their lives. The local newspaper, television broadcasts and the internet are used to inform students of current issues and affairs. Students are asked to make a number of written responses to facilitate class discussions. This course is student-centered and requires regular attendance and active participation.

Family Life Skills – This course is designed to examine culture, family, and individual roles in the family, and major life events from a Biblical perspective. Students will read about and then discuss topics that are important to growing as a person and growing in character. They will also do individual projects in order to have a better understanding of everyday life and how to handle everyday occurrences. Topics covered include: the family; family unity; spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social growth; social protocol; dating, engagement, marriage; parenthood; financial management; aging and the family. Text: Family Life Skills, BJU Press

Performing Arts: Theater – This course introduces students to a wide range of theatrical concepts including the basics of theater, the elements of acting, directing and stagecraft. Students begin with the basics: pantomime and the elements of improvisation. They move on from there to Readers’ Theater and short scene performance. Instruction in acting focuses on the Stanislavski acting method. Students explore theater and acting through the use of monologues, dialogues, short scenes, improvisation and one-act plays, as well as the techniques needed to audition and perform in public. Several public performance opportunities are offered throughout the year; students must prepare for and undergo auditions in order to qualify for parts. Stagecraft includes the development of props, costumes and design and painting of sets for performances. Following performances, students debrief and analyze the performance in terms of the mechanics of successful theater performance.

Yearbook/Christian Journalism – This course will be focused on journalistic principles and practices of the news media through the weekly publication of a Desert Chapel School newsletter (The Eagle Eye) as well as the printing of the annual yearbook.