An MVCDS Education

Explore Our Curriculum

Fine Arts


The mission of the Fine Arts program is to provide educational experiences that foster creativity, explore the artistic process, and help develop knowledge of and respect for the arts throughout history and in our global society.  The program enables students to produce or share well-crafted works of art that intensify and clarify the human experience.
  • Middle School Art (4-6)

    Students will explore original ideas and improve their artisanship while incorporating the elements of art and the principles of design into their artwork. They will experiment with many techniques and materials in their projects to help them discover personal preferences and understand the creative process. Students will express themselves in a meaningful way through the art they produce. They will discuss art pieces using age-appropriate vocabulary and see that artists use different media and styles to express what they see, feel, and think. The students’ art will be inspired by personal experiences, using their own imagination and drawing from observation and responses from the art of various artists and cultures. Art is integrated into their music themes and into the classroom studies.

    In grades four and five, topics include: an animal and nature theme, drawing outdoors and observational drawing, caricatures, a unit on birds inspired by the artist Audubon, folk art and American art, one-point perspective, and sculpture from found objects.The 6th Grade art program includes a unit on architecture, interior design, mixed-media sculpture, drawing, shading, and two-point perspective. The art of Mesopotamia, Australia, and Africa will be explored.

    Student artwork is displayed within the school throughout the year and each area has its own exhibit in conjunction with their concert.
  • Art 7

    Students will learn about creating design, incorporating their identity into their pieces, and communicating their ideas. A wide variety of materials and techniques are used to accomplish this. Students will learn how to build with clay, paint with acrylics, develop lettering styles, and draw and sculpt figures. The elements of art and the principles of design are emphasized throughout the semester. Students will explore original ideas and improve their artisanship. An exhibit of artwork will be shared at the Showcase and their portfolio of work will then be sent home.
  • Art 8

    This course introduces students to a variety of artistic and creative experiences by creating original artworks and exploring multiple materials and developing skills. Students will engage in lessons in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. In each area, they will apply the elements and principles of design, art criticism, and make connections to historical and contemporary cultures. Students will make connections to their art practices through historical concepts, contemporary artists, and multimedia practices. Students will need to show consistent concern with quality, depth of focus, concentration, and use of time and space efficiently. Students will complete projects with care from the beginning to the end of the assignment. The student has to be aware of design, using the elements of design to achieve the principles.
  • Middle School Music (4-6)

    Students expand their knowledge of foundational concepts and skills in music through practice and performing. Students explore a variety of music through singing and playing various instruments, including recorders and xylophones. Students are active listeners as they are introduced to music from different cultures and eras. Students experience and perform the music and dance of several different cultures. They learn about instruments, scales, rhythmic patterns, and music unique to each culture studied. The addition of steel drums to the curriculum provides students with unique opportunities to make music. Units of study are designed to coordinate with the social studies curriculum whenever possible.
  • Music 7

    Middle School music courses continue to build upon the foundations laid in the earlier grades. Emphasis is placed upon music literacy and musicianship. Students hone their musical skills through the performance of ukulele selections. They begin by learning the basics of the ukulele, and they progress to gradually more complex songs, eventually ending by playing melodies and chords to well-known folk songs. Musical selections for the 7th Grade curriculum can be found in the Book 1 Hal Leonard Series. The goal of this class is to produce literate musicians by giving students skills they may draw on for a lifetime of enjoyment. In addition to literacy, students will grow in appreciation for many types of music through its performance. The goal is for every student to be an independent, competent member of a performing ensemble. The evaluation of each student is based on in-class playing, quizzes and tests of material assigned for study, and a cumulative performance given at the Showcase of the Arts at the end of the semester.
  • Music 8

    Middle School music courses continue to build upon the foundations laid in the earlier grades. Emphasis is placed upon music literacy and musicianship. Students hone their musical skills through the performance of ukulele selections. They begin by learning the basics of the ukulele, and they progress to gradually more complex songs, eventually ending by playing melodies and chords to well-known folk songs. Musical selections for the 8th Grade curriculum can be found in the Book 2 Hal Leonard Series. The goal of this class is to produce literate musicians by giving students skills they may draw on for a lifetime of enjoyment. In addition to literacy, students will grow in appreciation for many types of music through its performance. The goal is for every student to be an independent, competent member of a performing ensemble. The evaluation of each student is based on in-class playing, quizzes and tests of material assigned for study, and a cumulative performance given at the Showcase of the Arts at the end of the semester.
  • Performance 7

    Performance 7 covers the basic skills essential to successfully perform improv. This course includes impromptu and extemporaneous speaking, storytelling, debate, and a section on basic costuming. Students learn the elements of delivery and achieve a working knowledge of their application. Their experience concludes with a process-based performance at a Middle School Showcase, an instructor-guided student collaborative improv performance.
  • Production 8

    This course begins with reading, analyzing, and discussing scripts for the Middle School Showcase production. Students explore the process of play production by examining the contributions of each member of the production group. Students apply what they have learned to the selection, preparation, and performance of a one-act play for the trimester-ending Showcase production. In the process, the class will have functioned as their own production group by selecting, casting, rehearsing, and producing their own play.
Maumee Valley Country Day School is the only PreK-12th grade accredited, co-educational, and independent school in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.