Practical Arts
Welcome to the Chiddix Practical Arts Team page.
Below you will find the various teachers, courses taught, and class resources.
6th, 7th & 8th Grade Art
Art is a course designed to train student’s brains to learn in a way that is different from other classes. Students learn higher order thinking skills like applying, problem solving and critical thinking by fulfilling the curriculum units of drawing, painting/color theory, ceramics and paper mache sculpture. Students also have individualized learning opportunities due to the nature of this class.
6th & 7th Grade Digital Media
Digital Media is a course designed to educate students on the ever-changing digital world, as well as to provide hands-on experience with industry-standard software and equipment. The curriculum covers many areas, so it appeals to a diverse group of students. Topics covered in Digital Media classes include graphic design, animation, audio production, video production, and web design. Students will also learn about digital citizenship and how they can be respectful, responsible, and safe in the digital world.
Mr. Smith - Technology Teacher
Room: 122
Email: smithjas@unit5.org
6th & 7th Grade GTT
The Gateway To Technology (GTT) program addresses the interest and energy of middle school students while incorporating national standards in mathematics, science, and technology. This activity-oriented, cutting-edge program shows students how technology is used in engineering to solve everyday problems. GTT currently consists of seven instructional units that motivate students to become creative innovators. During the GTT experience, students will gain the skills they need to develop, produce, and use products and services.
8th Grade Automation and Robotics
Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students use a robust robotics platform to design, build, and program a solution to solve an existing problem.
8th Grade App Creators
This unit will expose students to computer science by computationally analyzing and developing solutions to authentic problems through mobile app development, and will convey the positive impact of the application of computer science to other disciplines and to society.
Students will customize their experience by choosing a problem that interests them from the areas of health, environment, emergency preparedness, education, community service, and school culture. Because problems in the real world involve more than one discipline, the unit will introduce students to biomedical science concepts as they work on solutions for the specific problems they choose to tackle.
Mrs. Lewis - Family and Consumer Science (FACS)
Room: 121
Email: lewise@unit5.org
Mission: Empower individuals and families across the lifespan to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society. Our unique focus is on the interrelationships between personal, home, family, and work lives.
6th & 7th Grade FACS
Intro to FACS is a one-semester class for 6th and 7th grade students. It teaches practical skills with hands-on lessons for green living, nutrition and cooking, fashion and interior design, and financial literacy. Students learn how to empower themselves with life skills. Students think critically, read, discuss, lead, follow, increase their vocabulary, and apply their learning.
8th Grade FACS
Advanced FACS is a class designed for 8th graders. Students explore FACS fields of study by applying knowledge and skills toward project-based learning. Students aim for greater understanding by making connections to the world around them. Classroom activities promote critical thinking and workplace skills. Students learn how to empower themselves with life skills. Students think critically, read, discuss, lead, follow, increase their vocabulary, and apply their learning.
Mr. Lewis- Business Teacher
Room: 118
Email: lewisc@unit5.org
Class Website: https://lewisc9.wixsite.com/chiddix
6th & 7th Grade Computer Skills
Computer Skills is an Exploratory class offered to 6th and 7th-grade students. The class aims to teach students basic computer functions and skills to support them in academics and life. Students in this class will work daily on touch typing and learning to use all fingers while not looking down when typing. We will also have two presentations during the semester to help students become more comfortable with and better at public speaking. Finally, students will use our classroom desktop computers to learn four different Microsoft programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher).
8th Grade BELT
Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Training (BELT) is an 8th-grade Exploratory class that aims to expose junior high students to business and entrepreneurship. Students will cover a variety of topics, including how to create various business documents, stock markets, investing, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and more. At the end of the semester, students will give a Shark Tank-style presentation to their peers and community members.
8th Grade Digital Media
Digital Media is a course designed to educate students on the ever-changing digital world, as well as to provide hands-on experience with industry-standard software and equipment. The curriculum covers many areas, so it appeals to a diverse group of students. Topics covered in Digital Media classes include graphic design, animation, audio production, video production, and web design. Students will also learn about digital citizenship and how they can be respectful, responsible, and safe in the digital world.