Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 2

Lights! Camera! Action! Students will learn about the art of making films. Discussions, activities, and projects will be facilitated by local award-winning filmmaker and author Shea C. Megale. Club members will be introduced to topics such as evaluating what makes a good story when told through visual medium, script-writing, acting, and casting. The class will learn about the roles on a film set such as DP (director of photography), gaffer, grip, director, and more. Teens will be introduced to types of equipment and cameras, and will learn how to optimize the capabilities of their smart phone video cameras and use editing software. The group will learn about the composition of a good shot and the types of shots (close-up, wide, tracking, etc.) as well as simple lighting using available sources and reflectors. The pace, scope, and direction of the class will be adapted to the interests of enrolled students, but the group will work towards filming and editing short scenes and a short film individually or with a small group as the year progresses. Meeting Days: This is a 13-week course that will not meet on October 13, 2025.

Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 3

Earn college credit and artistic "cred"-ibility in this studio art class! Over the course of the school year, student artists will experiment with artistic techniques, create original works in a variety of mediums and styles, and build a portfolio for submission. Students will be guided by a Compass art instructor, Pete Van Riper, who is also an adjunct art professor at Northern Virginia Community College and a reviewer for AP art portfolios. The three goals of AP 2D Art and Design are to (1) investigate a variety of artistic materials, methods, and ideas; (2) produce 2-dimensional art and designs; and (3) be able to describe and present art and design to others. AP Art and Design students "develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection." Student artists will create a portfolio with works that feature the elements of art and principles of design such as "point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time; unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, hierarchy." Students will be asked to document their medium choices and keep a sketch book and art journal describing their inspiration and artistic process. In class, works will be done in charcoal, pencil, conte crayon, watercolor crayons, watercolor paints, acrylic paint, and collage. Like other college level classes, outside work will be expected, and art completed outside of the weekly class meetings can include graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking, and other 2D formats. Students should consider how to express their ideas with selected materials and processes on a flat surface. The College Board has no preferred or unacceptable content or style, but all work must be entirely the student's original creation. Submissions may incorporate pre-existing photographs or others' images provided proper attribution and citations are given and the use reflects an extension of the student's vision and not just duplication or copy work. AI generated designs are strictly prohibited from portfolio submissions, but original, digitally created art is welcome. Students' portfolio submissions for the AP program must include two sections (1) "Sustained Investigation" which includes 15 images of the purposeful evolution of a work or works through concept sketches, practice, experimentation, and revisions, and (2) "Selected Works" which includes images of 5 completed pieces. All portfolio works will be submitted as digital images (scans or photographs) of the student's original pieces, and all images must be accompanied by a written discussion of the materials and processes used. Earn college credit and artistic "cred"-ibility in this studio art class! Over the course of the school year, student artists will experiment with artistic techniques, create original works in a variety of mediums and styles, and build a portfolio for submission. Students will be guided by a Compass art instructor, Pete Van Riper, who is also an adjunct art professor at Northern Virginia Community College and a reviewer for AP art portfolios. The three goals of AP 2D Art and Design are to (1) investigate a variety of artistic materials, methods, and ideas; (2) produce 2-dimensional art and designs; and (3) be able to describe and present art and design to others. AP Art and Design students "develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection." Student artists will create a portfolio with works that feature the elements of art and principles of design such as "point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time; unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, hierarchy." Students will be asked to document their medium choices and keep a sketch book and art journal describing their inspiration and artistic process. In class, works will be done in charcoal, pencil, conte crayon, watercolor crayons, watercolor paints, acrylic paint, and collage. Like other college level classes, outside work will be expected, and art completed outside of the weekly class meetings can include graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking, and other 2D formats. Students should consider how to express their ideas with selected materials and processes on a flat surface. The College Board has no preferred or unacceptable content or style, but all work must be entirely the student's original creation. Submissions may incorporate pre-existing photographs or others' images provided proper attribution and citations are given and the use reflects an extension of the student's vision and not just duplication or copy work. AI generated designs are strictly prohibited from portfolio submissions, but original, digitally created art is welcome. Students' portfolio submissions for the AP program must include two sections (1) "Sustained Investigation" which includes 15 images of the purposeful evolution of a work or works through concept sketches, practice, experimentation, and revisions, and (2) "Selected Works" which includes images of 5 completed pieces. All portfolio works will be submitted as digital images (scans or photographs) of the student's original pieces, and all images must be accompanied by a written discussion of the materials and processes used. The class will examine images of others' art, and students will be asked to visit at least two art museums or art exhibits. They will practice giving and receiving construction formal and informal critiques through the observation, analysis, discussion, and evaluation of their own work and that of other artists to hone the AP-required skill of communication about 2D art. Levels This course is only offered at the AP level, but enrollment does not obligate a student to submit a portfolio for AP review. Workload: Student artists should plan 2-4 hours per week outside of class on their pieces, concept drawings, practice sketches, etc. Assignments: All assignments will be communicated to students via email. Assessments: Qualitative feedback will be given weekly in class. The principal assessment in this course is the AP score earned. Textbooks: The instructor will furnish art and design books for students to browse in class and borrow. Supply Fee: A supply fee of $60.00 is due payable to the instructor for shared, in-class basics consisting of: pencils, charcoal, conte a Paris, acrylic paints, brushes, sketch journal, and canvas boards. The instructor will furnish a list of recommended supplies for alternative or premium materials that students may want to incorporate use such as watercolor or colored markers. About AP: "AP" is a trademark of the College Board, which owns and designs the course outline and "audits" (i.e. approves) high school instructors who employ their expertise and creativity to deliver the college freshman-level content. The College Board's summary of the AP 2D Art & Design program can be read HERE, and the instructor AP Course Audit Approval form can be viewed HERE. AP Fees: The fee for the College Board's AP 2D Art & Design portfolio in May 2025 is not included. Each family is responsible for scheduling and paying for their student's AP registration. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Fine Arts for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Learn your instrument and get ready to join the first homeschool concert band in the region at Compass. Students in beginner percussion will learn to play the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). They will learn proper stick and mallet grip, posture, and playing position for concert percussion instrumentals. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading. The group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors) on mallet instruments and basic rudiments on snare drum. Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. There is a $24.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and group sheet music.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 4

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Learn your instrument and get ready to join the first homeschool concert band in the region at Compass. Students in beginner winds will learn to play a woodwind [flute or clarinet (5th-12th grade) or alto saxophone (7th-12th grade only)] or brass instrument [trumpet, trombone, or euphonium (5th-8th grade) and French horn or tuba (7th-12th grade students only)]. They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. There is a $24.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and group sheet music.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Join the first homeschool concert band in the region at Compass. This section is for continuing beginner and advanced beginner musicians of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments* Percussion students will continue their skills on the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). Continuing and advanced beginner woodwinds students will play the flute or clarinet or alto saxophone. Continuing and advanced beginner brass will play the trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, or tuba. All band students will practice audiation skills and will play both cooperatively in the full band group and in break-out groups for differentiated instruction by part, by instrument, or by proficiency. Students in Concert Band will meet together to continue to develop their skills on their selected instruments. To be considered for this section, students must have the following competencies on their chosen percussion, woodwind, or brass instrument: --Minimum of 4 months of playing experience (or semester 1); --A firm understanding of how to assemble and disassemble the instrument correctly; --Demonstrate proper instrument care; --Demonstrate correct posture, hand position, and embouchure (woodwinds); --Be able to play Hot Cross Buns in B-flat Major; --Be able to play at least one additional song in any key Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. Furthermore, students are expected to practice their instrument and pieces throughout the week. 15-30 minutes most days is recommended. For NEW students, there is a $33.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and the sheet music songs used for the group band performance. RETURNING students will have a supply fee of $9.00 for sheet music.

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Mindful Mosaics is run as a studio art class where students create unique compositions and work at their own pace under the guidance of an experienced mosaic artist. Each quarter, students are taught new design, cutting, layout, and finishing techniques and are introduced to new mosaic materials which they can incorporate into inspired, original pieces. The instructor can suggest possible themes for projects based on the featured materials, but most students work on individual projects that reflect their own interests, hobbies, or decor. Students who are new to mosaics will complete a quick checkerboard project (complete with wooden checkers) to teach pattern, layout, and lines before starting an individual projects. For each project, students will choose from a variety of substrates- rectangular, square, shaped, or circular backboards (typically first-year students), or special forms or 3D objects (experienced students). Each project will expand a student's understanding of color, pattern, rhythm, texture, and spacing as they complete rich, dimensioned compositions. Students will be able to incorporate other glass, ceramic, and porcelain tiles into their projects and may select feature elements such as beautiful glass gems, millefiori, sliced stone, metallic ornaments, mirrored bits, or shells, to serve as focal points in their mosaic piece. The mosaic can be monochromatic, complimentary, or contrasting colors. A broad pallet of colors is always available, and new colors are added each quarter to reflect the season. Students will develop a skillset for mosaic artistry over multiple quarters or years. As each student demonstrates mastery of basic skills, safety, and artistic expression, that student will be taught advanced techniques, materials, tools, composition, and color theory. A typical progression in mosaics is: (1) Whole tiles in symmetric design on a flat, rectangular substrate with emphasis on proper spacing and adhesion; (2) Tile cut with nippers in themed design and individual color choices on a flat wood substrate; (3) Sheet glass cut with pistol grip, breaking, and/or running pliers with emphasis on composition, color, and design on a flat or curved substrate; (4) Progress to 3D substrate and advanced adhesives; (5) Learn porcelain and ceramic cutting, special adhesives, and advanced design. Note:There is no prerequisite for this class. The number of projects completed each quarter depends on the student's work speed and attendance in class. Compass parents are welcome to register for the class to work alongside their teens, or to work on their own, while their teen is in another Compass class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class. Assessments: will not be given. Materials Fees: All material fees are due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class by cash, check or electronic payment. Materials used vary depending on a student's experience with mosaic. Beginner Material Fee: $50.00 for a selection of Beginner Materials, including: vitreous glass, ceramic, mini, eco recycled glass, beach glass, glitter glass, glass gems, ceramic pebble, shells, metallic crystal, subway glass Adhesive: weld bond Grout: bone or charcoal color Cutters: wheeled tile nippers Substrate: 2D/Flat 12" x 12",10" x 10", 8" X 8", 4" X 4", framed mirrors, ornament shapes Advanced Material Fee: $60.00 for a selection of Advanced Materials including: All Beginner Materials plus, iridized glass, cathedral sheet glass, opaque sheet glass, color fusion, millefiori, Van Gogh glass, natural stone and minerals, special effects glass, water glass, colored mirror, illumination glass, china plates, rhinestone, ball chain Adhesives: weld bond, thin-set mortar, silicone Grout: Custom colors (purple, rose, green, blue, earth, orange) Cutters: wheeled tile nippers, porcelain hand tool, hand file, pistol grip, beetle bits cutting system Substrates: All flat shapes plus, 3D forms (egg, sphere, cone, pyramid, etc.), cut out sentiments, trays, glass bottle, mini sleds, flower pot, picture frame, sun catcher. Additional Fee: There may be additional fees for premium materials such as tesserae (by request and consultation with instructor), mother of pearl, 24 kt gold tiles (market rate), or specially cut substrates. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Fine Arts for purposes of a high school transcript.