Check Out a Sampling of Our Electives

 

Ever wonder how a robot is able to know what to do on its own? Are you stumped by how humans are able to tell robots what to do at any given time? Well, be stumped no more! Join the winter robotics elective to learn how to program robots in the ROBOTC (pronounced “robot c”) language. ROBOTC is one way programmers can create a “to do” list in the computer that the robot can then understand and act upon. We will NOT be using physical robots in this elective. Instead, we’ll be using several virtual worlds. Join this elective and you will be sure to understand how programming not only influences the actions of a robot but many of the items we use every day!

 

This elective will use a Tuesday/Thursday X-Block slot to revive the IMS student newspaper of yore, The Scop. The publication will begin as an online entity that aims to cover school life, as well as noteworthy events in the world beyond the hilltop. Hopefully, we’ll be assigning movie, book, and music reviews in addition to first-hand accounts of the Falcons’ latest victory over Rumsey Hall. Therefore, The Scop will need aspiring writers, reporters, web designers, cartoonists, and media savvy students of all stripes. Participants will be asked to do some work outside the elective’s proposed meeting times, but if you think you might be passionate about writing, journalism, or media matters in general, it will be time well spent.

 

This new elective will focus on the strategy card game, Magic the Gathering. The members of the elective will discuss the game, develop decks, and compete against each other. People who sign-up do not need to have any prior experience with the game.

 

 

Over the course of the term we will analyze video of World Cup ski racers, video of each skier in the group, have “chalk-talk” classroom sessions, and have some extra time on the mountain. On and off the hill we will have an in depth look at the technical and tactical aspects of ski racing. The students will learn a lot and we will have a lot of fun!

 

This new elective will focus on the strategy card game, Magic the Gathering. The members of the elective will discuss the game, develop decks, and compete against each other. People who sign-up do not need to have any prior experience with the game.

 

The course will incorporate both instruction and play with the possibility of intra- and inter-scholastic matches.

 

 

 

This elective will use a Tuesday/Thursday X-Block slot to revive the IMS student newspaper of yore, The Scop. The publication will begin as an online entity that aims to cover school life, as well as noteworthy events in the world beyond the hilltop. Hopefully, we’ll be assigning movie, book, and music reviews in addition to first-hand accounts of the Falcons’ latest victory over Rumsey Hall. Therefore, The Scop will need aspiring writers, reporters, web designers, cartoonists, and media savvy students of all stripes. Participants will be asked to do some work outside the elective’s proposed meeting times, but if you think you might be passionate about writing, journalism, or media matters in general, it will be time well spent.

 

Ever wonder how a robot is able to know what to do on its own? Are you stumped by how humans are able to tell robots what to do at any given time? Well, be stumped no more! Join the winter robotics elective to learn how to program robots in the ROBOTC (pronounced “robot c”) language. ROBOTC is one way programmers can create a “to do” list in the computer that the robot can then understand and act upon. We will NOT be using physical robots in this elective. Instead, we’ll be using several virtual worlds. Join this elective and you will be sure to understand how programming not only influences the actions of a robot but many of the items we use every day!

 

Math as a contact sport. Take on the big brains. Go to the Nationals.

 

 

 

This elective is an exploration in printmaking techniques. Printmaking is a process of creating art (usually a drawing) and multiples of the art, which is called a ‘print’, using a printing press. Techniques covered will include relief printing, woodcuts, collagraph, and reduction printing. Strong skills in drawing are not necessary, but students who love drawing and process oriented work will enjoy this course.

 

Advanced Drawing presents a challenging series of drawing “problems” for students to solve. It is for students who already have basic drawing skills, and wish to continue their studies and develop a portfolio. The curriculum for the Advanced Drawing Elective incorporates a variety of drawing materials, elements of art, and principles of design. Students are encouraged to develop their own individual styles while working with pencil, charcoal, watercolor pencils, pastels, and oil pastels. Students will study contour line, texture, the drapery study, tonal values and shading, the portrait, and pen and ink techniques. At the end of the term students will photograph their artwork and put it together as a portfolio. Prerequisite: Basic drawing or permission of the instructor.

 

The course introduces the basics of wheel throwing techniques. Weekly practice of basic techniques will provide the foundation needed to progress into more complicated wheel thrown forms. Vases, tiles, bowls, and mugs are some of the forms that will be explored in this class. Students will be introduced to the technique of slip-casting in which liquid clay is poured into a plaster mold to produce pottery. I will encourage students to express creative ideas using different methods of fabrication and surface treatment. Along with technical skills, students will acquire a better comprehension of historical and contemporary ceramics.

 

The Wood Carving elective will focus on using fundamental techniques in a step-by-step process of shaping small-scale wooden forms, while utilizing basic carving tools including knives, chisels and gauges. The students will gain knowledge of wood types, and how their grain influences the direction of the carving. Several sessions of sharpening and honing the blades will be discussed and practiced, which will allow for smooth working conditions and a basic respect for the tools. Daily safety precautions will be observed, reiterated and applied prior to, and during any carving. Each student will work on their own individual projects and will be able to apply the learned skills, and explore the possibilities of carving wood.

 

This class will offer an opportunity to create at least one larger then life Foam-board cutout. Its shape can reflect a self-portrait or a favorite sports hero, movie star, singer or an abstract design etc. Once the design is drawn it will be cut with an Xacto knife. It can be painted or collaged in a realistic or fantasy style. If you can dream it, you can make it. 

 

Through the art of digital photography, students learn to become independent, self-reflective artists using a technology-based medium. Using both contemporary ideologies and historical traditions as a backdrop for projects, students examine a wide variety of ways to capture images. From camera basic sand photographic techniques, to digital manipulation and image outputting, students are exposed to skills needed to use photography as a form of self-expression. Critical thinking, creative observation, and gaining an awareness of future implications of digital media encourage students to develop their own artistic voices. Assignments engage students in using photography, both in and out of the classroom as a means to examine and explore their own lives and communities.

 

 

Improvisation is the art of creating theatre spontaneously without preparation or planning using only what is available to you in the moment. In this class students learned to free, trust, and embrace their instincts and their imagination.   Through the exploration of improvisational exercises students learned to say “yes” to their impulses, their partners and their inspirational sources, to make strong specific choices on stage and to be responsive and affected by their scene partners. The class culminated in a short-form improvisational performance for the X-block expo.

 

This elective includes hands-on classes in script-writing, shooting, and editing using HD cameras, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro.  Whenever possible, we will supplement our work with examples from classic movies, short films and documentaries, as well as occasional visits from professional movie writers and directors. Once we agree on an idea, we’re off and running – Gorilla filmmaking at its best. Limited to 6. All levels welcome.

 

Ms. Jadow will teach you everything you need to know to create fun and exciting video content for our school website. Using our state of the art HD cameras, iphones, & GoPros, think sports videos, goofy videos, behind the scenes videos, etc. The sky’s the limit. 6 max.

 

 

Music

 

 

A look into the history and evolution of modern improvisational music, beginning with its roots in jazz and blues, moving through the influence of folk music and protest in the 60’s, the birth of the “jam band”, and finally, modern electronic music. There are a lot of stops along the way. Definitely plan to listen to a wide range of music, including Muddy Waters and other old blues, The Beatles and others from the British Invasion, The Grateful Dead, The Band and Dylan, Bob Marley, Phish, Daft Punk, Avicii, just to name a few. I’ll look to you to help me learn about the more modern stuff. Open to musicians and non-musicians alike.

 

Drumming- Mr. Marshall

Keep the beat using a variety of drum types from various cultures around the world. Learn different techniques and play original pieces with others in the group.

 

Ensemble- Mr. Kuskin

Join Mr. Kuskin for IMS’s premier classical music group. The group will typically work on one piece per term and will perform several times a year. Prior skill on your instrument required.

 

Jazz Band- Mr. Miles

Learning how to improvise is at the heart of the Jazz Band. The group practices jazz standards from several periods, the players bringing their own take on the music in each performance. Prior skill on your instrument required.

 

Who doesn’t want to be a rock star?! Guitarists, bass players, drummers, keyboardists, singers, harmonica players and others welcome. Prior skill on your instrument required.