Courses Offered

Fleming Middle School 

Magnet for Fine Arts 

Elective Course Descriptions 

Band 1 

This course is for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders who have no music experience with playing an instrument and/or reading music.  In this course, the student will have the opportunity to try out all instruments available to see which one would be the most appealing and would help them learn about music the most.  This group will be expected to perform at least twice a year with a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert, with the goal in perspective of being able to advance to Band 2 or Band 3 the following year with the Director's approval and recommendation. The material they will learn will be Major Scales, basic instrument maintenance, proper horn carriage and posture, basic Music Theory, and rehearsal behaviors according to their instrument and musical ensemble. 

Band 2 

This course is for students who have at least 1 full year of Band experience on the instrument they selected from Band 1. This group will be expected to perform the standard 2 Concerts (Winter & Spring) along with other performances that may come in between those two.  Students will have a continuation of learning Major Scales, Etudes, and intermediate level music to be performed throughout the year, instrument maintenance, analyzing other performing groups as well as their own.  The student should be gearing toward being in Band 3 after the completion of the school year with the Director's approval and recommendation. 

Band 3 

This course is for students who have 2 full years of Band experience on the instrument they selected from Band 1.  This group will be expected to perform the 2 standard concerts (Winter and Spring) along with all other performances that may be scheduled in between.  Students will have a continuation of learning Major Scales for High School Band Auditions, basic maintenance of their instrument, giving advanced evaluations of other performing groups as well as their own., and learning more difficult music appropriate for High School Band preparation.  The student should have in mind being prepared for High School Band by the completion of the school year. 

Choir 1 

Beginning Choir is open to all students interested in learning to sing in a musical ensemble. No prior vocal musical training is necessary. Students will develop choral reading techniques, ear training, vocal production, solfege and basic theory. Special attention will be devoted to students with changing voices. During the course of the year students will participate in the following types of performances: Seasonal concerts, solo and ensemble, festival performances and school/community events. 

Choir 2 

Students will continue to develop ear training and listening skills, individual and ensemble singing skills, vocal production, music reading, solfege and musicianship. They will study the historical and cultural significance of works performed. During the course of the year, all students will participate in the following types of performances: pep rallies, formal evening concerts, UIL choir concert and sight-reading contest, music festivals, TMEA Region Choir auditions, solo and ensemble and other community performances. Choirs at the 7th and 8th grade level participate in several events in which eligibility is required. Prerequisite: Choir 1 

Choir 3 

In this more advanced course, students further extend their ear training/listening skills, individual and ensemble singing skills, vocal production, solfege, music reading, showmanship and musicianship. They will study the historical and cultural significance of works performed and will do qualitative analysis of choral literature during the course of the year, all students might participate in the following types of performances: Pep rallies, formal evening concerts, UIL choir concert and sight-reading contest, music festivals, TMEA Region Choir auditions, solo and ensemble contest and other community performances. Choirs at the 7th and 8th grade level participate in several events in which eligibility is required. Prerequisites: Choir 1 and 2 

Dance 1, 2, and 3 

Students become acquainted with basic technique in ballet, modern, and jazz, as well as anatomical awareness that is pervasive throughout their lives. For ballet, students will focus on building the strength, flexibility and control needed to execute ballet moves. Each class will emphasize barre exercises and may also include a combination of center floor work and across-the-floor combinations. Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolation of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street and Contemporary to help develop a well-rounded dancer. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolation, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. Dance 2 Prerequisite: Dance 1; Dance 3 Prerequisite: Dance 1 and 2 

Dance Ensemble 

Dance Ensemble is a more advanced middle school dance course, designated specifically for the dance ensemble or dance company. Audition is required, approval and signature by the teacher of record required and must be obtained before the student is advanced. This course provides a more in-depth understanding of dance performance while still learning the necessary skills to be a well-rounded dancer. Dancers will experience greater performance opportunities and will also become more involved in the artistic process of dance by creating, rehearsing, auditioning, and performing. All grade levels are allowed to participate in this course by audition only. In this class, students will also incorporate their existing knowledge of dance technique, etiquette, and performance skills using the appropriate dance vocabulary. Dancers will use class time to refine their technique by participating in the advanced daily dance classes, community partner-led workshops, and intense rehearsals. Students may also fulfill PE and Fine Arts requirements necessary for graduation by completing one full consecutive year in the class. Prerequisite: Audition and Teacher approval 

Media Team 

Fleming's Media Team is an all-access group to every major event on and off campus.  The class is open to all grade levels. Students learn video production, video editing, photography, and sound engineering.  Students are also involved in front of the camera, conducting interviews, creating school videos, and directing video segments.  If you like producing, this is the class for you! 

Special Projects 

Special projects students will have the opportunity to build leadership and project management skills. Students in this course are recommended from campus leaders, teachers and staff. Students selected will work on projects to support school events, cultural awareness, and all celebrations on campus to afford a positive school culture. Skills acquired from project management will prepare the student to be college/career ready.  

Technology 

An amazing technology class that introduces students to various productivity suits from Microsoft and Google.  Students are not just taught basic technology skills.  Fleming's program goes more in depth and introduces who these programs collaborate with each other as well as how we can collaborate with others worldwide to achieve a common task.  Students also learn how to build different networks (WAN, LAN), they learn programming languages (Python and JavaScript), and they are also able explore Virtual Reality. 

PE (6th – 8th Grade) 

Fleming Middle School Physical Education is a comprehensive course-based program that encompasses individual/dual sports, team sports, fitness, team building, traditional activities, and non-traditional games alike.   The Fleming P.E. staff has a combined teaching experience of 32 years.   Biomechanics is an important factor in what we teach.  Learning how to move and how to perform skills in fitness and sport is key to the successes of our students are the progress towards mastery level of movements in sports.  Teachers stress positivity and good sportsmanship between students.  Fitness is a large component of our classes as we work on some form of cardiovascular endurance weekly.  Although the classes are all unique from class to class, we all strive to meet the core values of the school, lifelong fitness.