Fine Arts

This introductory course is a study of basic art concepts. Emphasis is on studio projects exploring the elements and principles of art and design in a variety of media and in two and three dimensions. The course will include a broad overview of art history for the purpose of understanding the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of the visual arts. Students will learn about diverse approaches to art and build a vocabulary with which to think critically and communicate about works of art.

The focus of this class is to introduce and provide practice in the skills needed for realistic drawing. Perceptual skills, technical skills, and expressive skills will be given equal emphasis. The class provides students with an opportunity to build self-confidence in drawing through traditional assignments such as the still life and portrait as well as numerous informal opportunities of drawing from observation and from photographs. Various media, mainly black and white, will be used.

This course introduces students to contemporary digital media as an extension of the creative experience.   It includes an introduction to digital arts software including Photoshop cs4, Illustrator cs4, and the use of flip movie cameras with Windows Movie Maker. As a visual Arts course the student will be asked to consider aesthetics, art-criticism, art-history, art making and self-expression. Students analyze and compare traditional art with contemporary art, methods and use of technology in the art experience. The course includes exploring different cultural influences, historical periods and movements in art. Through lecture, research, reading materials and exercises and a series of lessons that help to complete assigned projects, the course emphasizes the elements and principles of art in a manner that engages students. The course concludes with relative links between the visual arts and professional career possibilities.

This course is a study of the art elements and principles learned throughout Art Fundamentals and/or Drawing I which apply to painting and drawing in various styles and combinations. This course also includes ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, advertising, and art history.

This is a course in advanced drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture. Photography with both a manual and digital camera is introduced, as well as an introduction to Photoshop and digital imaging. Students paint in watercolors and acrylics. There is an in-depth study of the art principles as applied to design and drawing projects. Art appreciation is developed throughout the year, especially through discussions of aesthetics. Students will make an in-depth study of an American artist.

This course is for the dedicated art student who has demonstrated a high proficiency in Art II. The course follows the Art III program of Photography, intro to Photoshop, advanced drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking. Within the curriculum, the student will develop sixteen finished art pieces for a portfolio. The portfolio will enable the student to apply for college scholarships or art competitions. Students will make an in-depth study of an American artist.

This is an opportunity for fourth-year art students to concentrate on areas of interest and work on directed, independent projects. Students must produce at least sixteen pieces of art; four per quarter. Students are required to produce two pieces of printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, painting, and drawing. Projects must be matted or mounted and students must submit pre-project research and post-project evaluations with each piece.

This course is established to meet the needs of advanced fourth-year art students who wish to follow a course of art instruction that is comparable to college-level study with directed independent projects. The major emphasis of the course will be the construction of a student portfolio and the production of the Golden Palette Senior Art Show. The Golden Palette Award is given to graduating seniors who have produced twenty pieces of quality art in the senior year. Projects must be matted or mounted and accompanied by pre-project research materials and written post-project self-evaluations of their work. There will be an on-going, in-depth study of art history, artists, and media applications.

No prior sewing knowledge or experience is needed to take this course. All fashion courses are tailored to be gender appropriate for both female and male students. This semester long introductory course is a study of basic fabric and fashion concepts, fiber characteristics and care, machine and hand sewing skills, and clothing and accessories construction and repair. Students will study the elements of design: color, line, shape, texture, and pattern as it relates to the human form. Students will then demonstrate application of knowledge and skills in several sewing, design, and alteration/repair projects.

No prior sewing knowledge or experience is needed to take this course. All fashion courses are tailored to be gender appropriate for both female and male students. This year long introductory course is a study of basic fabric and fashion concepts and vocabulary, fiber characteristics and care, machine and hand sewing skills, and clothing and accessories construction and repair. Students will study both the elements and principles of design as it relates to the humans form and will then demonstrate application of skills in several swing, design, and alteration/repair projects. A larger variety of clothing construction projects, as well as projects of choice, are offered in the second semester of Fashion I.

Fashion II is a continuation of sewing, garment construction, and design. A great degree of competency is expected and more challenging projects are undertaken. Students will demonstrate skill development in sewing, pattern usage, alterations and garment construction. Students will explore the world of fashion, from the inspiration of the designer to the final purchase by the consumer. Students will use a variety of tools and equipment to create apparel and decorative items. Students will also participate in entrepreneurial projects and the study of event and fashion show planning, gaining knowledge of advertising, media, sales, target consumer markets and business management.

Fashion III builds on and strengthens previously acquired skills and knowledge of Fashion I and II. An independent studies approach is used as students further explore the world of fashion. As an ongoing project, students will complete an apparel collection development project, designing and constructing their own clothing line. Students will also take part in the organization and management of entrepreneurial projects and event and fashion show planning.

Mixed Chorus is a choral group which has musicianship, excellence and performances as its primary goals. In this class, students will learn vocal techniques, basic music theory as well as choral music. Students will also learn the performance skills of communication and stage presentation. In the first semester, all students at the Christmas Show and at selected school and community events. In the second semester, students may perform at IHSA State Contest, the Spring Concert, and at other selected events. Scheduled performances and practices are mandatory for all members and contribute to the course grade. Students are encouraged to take Mixed Chorus for the full year, but may take it for a semester if the full year is not possible.

This select group of vocalists will further develop at the accelerated and/or college-level the technical, musical, and performance skills learned in Mixed Chorus. They represent SHG as a performance choir and study a wide variety of advanced choral literature. They continue the study of music theory and history and refine their sight reading and aural skills. All Encore students perform in the Christmas and spring shows. This group also performs frequently throughout the year at civic and community events. Scheduled performances and practices are mandatory for all members and contribute to the course grade. Enrollment in Encore is for the full year.

Private lessons in piano are available to any interested students. The credit received fulfills the half-credit Fine Arts requirement for graduation. Students come from study hall once each week for the private lesson. The cost per weekly lesson of 45 minutes will be announced before registration each year. Qualified students are eligible to study for the Silver Cross and Gold Medal awards. Students are required to participate in designated performances and contests.

Private voice lessons are available to any student who wishes to develop his/her vocal talent. The credit received fulfills the half-credit Fine Arts requirement. Students come from study hall once each week for the private lesson. Priority will be given to students who are currently enrolled in Mixed Chorus and Encore. The cost per weekly lesson of 45 minutes will be announced before registration each year. Qualified students are eligible to study for the Silver Cross and Gold Medal awards. Students are required to participate in designated performances and contests.

Students taking private lessons in piano, voice, or band instruments are eligible for the Silver Cross award. An intermediate level of proficiency as well as prescribed works and a recital complete the work necessary for the honor.

Students taking private lessons in piano, voice, or band instruments are eligible for the Gold Medal award. An advanced level of proficiency as well as proscribed advanced level work and a solo recital complete the work necessary for the honor.

This course focuses on 109 significant works, from the Middle Ages to Present and is then presented from a historical perspective with an emphasis on prominent composer and musical periods/styles. Ideas, customs and political climates in relation to each musical period are examined. Students will explore the forces that shaped these significant works as well as streaming recordings and opera videos will help heighten the student’s awareness of the mastery of significant composers.

This course focuses on the study of film as a narrative medium. Students will focus on similarities and differences between film and other forms of narrative media. Composition and critical thinking skills are a major focus. This course is offered as a dual credit option through LLCC.

Speeches given by the student include: the speech to inform and persuade, the bodily action speech, the audio and visuals speech, oral interpretations, and the speech to entertain. Students will be filmed and given a chance to view themselves giving a speech. Development of good listening skills and constructive criticism is also a continual part of this course.

This course is offered as a dual credit option for students. The course is taught at SHG by an adjunct teacher from Lincoln College. There is an additional cost for this course which is paid directly to Lincoln College. Please refer to the Lincoln College Course Catalog for a course description.

This course will enable students to create and distribute digital video in a variety of formats, including live sports broadcasting, documentary, short film, and news coverage. Specific skills and tools include camera technique, video production with Adobe Production Premium, audio engineering, 3d graphics, and screenplay writing. The course also includes a significant amount of out-of-class filming of extracurricular activities. (An honors section is offered for students who have completed one full year of Broadcasting and who have teacher approval).

This course will teach the production of a school yearbook and will develop general publishing skills. As part of the yearbook staff, students will learn all phases of yearbook production: design, layout, photography, copy writing, ethics and editing. The yearbook design and publication process is completed through an online computer program. Students will take on a variety of roles and responsibilities in order to cover and include in the yearbook all of the diverse students and activities that take place throughout the school year. This course requires attention to detail and self-motivation.   Students are expected to make an after school and weekend time commitment to this class to produce the SHG Yearbook. Students will also be required to attend outside events to fulfill mandatory course assignments.

Yearbook II, III, and IV are for students who excelled in Yearbook I and are committed to being an integral part of the yearbook staff. [1] The course can be designed as an independent study. Students will oversee Yearbook I and work as a team to design and produce the yearbook. Students are also responsible for planning content, assigning the theme, designing section templates, indexing, monitoring deadlines and editing within a chosen specialty. This course requires attention to detail and self-motivation. Students are expected to make an after school and weekend time commitment to this class to produce the SHG Yearbook. Students will also be required to attend outside events to fulfill mandatory course assignments.