Sixth grade students focus on basic drawing and painting skills. In the seventh grade, student activities include pen and ink drawings and a graph pencil drawing. Eighth graders learn about the elements of light and dark in art work, gain basic skills with clay sculpture, and study various artists and their work.
The Keyboarding Lab at West View has 25 Macintosh LC 580's and two iMAC computers. Sixth grade students learn by touch using the textbook from South-Western Publishing. Seventh grade students continue learning the keyboard using Applied Micro Type Pro software from South-Western. Eighth grade students review on Applied. Other activities include centering, letters, reports, a data base, and a production program.
The Introduction to Technology program is designed to give students an introductory experience to technology and its applications in the work place. There are sixteen modules that are used by groups of two or more students to produce a "product" typical of the work place, although on a smaller scale.
Students learn basic nutrition and how it promotes good health. Using this knowledge, students make wise food choices and preparation methods. Students make a variety of foods in lab and dine using proper table manners and etiquette.
Child development and child care is explored through learning how to be a responsible baby-sitter.
Independent living is encouraged by teaching students clothing care, mending, and simple sewing construction skills. Students sew a geometric quilt square pillow and a "Cat in the Hat" hat from patterns they draft.
Students continue to grow in independence by searching career options, studying how being a quality student relates to being a quality employee, role playing team working skills, consumerism and money management project, etc.
Finally, students design a model room using the principles and elements of interior design.
Musical performances are always fun at West View. A recent program entitled "Back to the 50's" had three parts: Back the the 50's, the Best of Doo-wop, and Melodies from Grease. Group singing, a little drama, some solo work, student sound system operators, choreography, costumes, and student instrumentalists combine to make a whole lot of fun for everyone.
West View students are fortunate to have band every day all year long. Students learn to play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. They practice scales and technique exercises so they will be able to play more challenging music than many other middle schools get a chance to do.
Fall performances include pep rallies and football games as well as concerts for the school and for the parents and community. Band Booster parents help with fund raising and concession stand operation.
During winter and spring months, individuals and small groups of West View band members can be found practicing for Junior Band Clinic and Solo and Ensemble Festival.
The band also participates in Festivals/competitions in the East Tennessee area. For example, in the spring of 1997, the band scored two excellent and three superior ratings from five different judges at two separate band festivals.
Spring of 1998 brought the first performance of the West View Jazz Band. All rehearsals for this were held after school.
There is also an annual spring concert for everyone to enjoy. This is presented for the student body at school and again during the weekend for parents and community.
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