Fine Arts Department

Community Christian School offers many opportunities for students to participate in art related activities, expanding their understanding of written, visual and performing arts.

9th-12th grade students can choose band, art, or other fine arts courses as electives during the school day.  The band program has brought home many honors from statewide competitions and dazzles the CCS families as they perform during sports events and special events.  Our art program is a comprehensive study of art history and technique.

Graduation requires one full year (two semesters) of Fine Arts: Band, Drama, Art, and/or Speech.

Beginning Guitar - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Sharp  This full year class provides students with basic music instruction in reading music and playing guitar.

Introduction to Debate - 10th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Lawler  Intro to Debate is an opportunity for students to learn and practice effective communication and argumentation skills that have application in college, politics, law, and journalism. Students will study the fundamentals of debate theory and technique, as well as research and writing skills, in order to carefully construct reasoned arguments on a variety of topics and current events. Multiple debate formats will be introduced and practiced (SPAR, extemporaneous speaking, Lincoln-Douglas, Cross-Examination, Public Forum, etc.). Coursework will be primarily completed during class, and daily verbal participation is required.

Drawing - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Davis  This course offers two-dimensional drawing, as well as building on skills learned in previous art courses.  The course deals with black and white media such as pencil or charcoal and color media such as ink or conte.  Class topics include composition, line, value, negative space, volume, directional forces, perspective, and proportion. This course is a one-semester course and may not be repeated.

Fundamentals of Acting - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Winkle  This course focuses on introducing and developing the basic acting techniques of characterization, role analysis, stage movement, voice and body control. This class will provide students with the opportunity to perform in front of others with poise, confidence, and panache. In addition, students will learn a variety of physical and vocal warm ups to assist in everything from auditions to live performances. During each semester there will be different activities/games that will help in the following areas:  character development, scene work, audition training, and memorization techniques. This course is designed to strengthen the students' abilities, culminating in an improvement of acting methods that will help prepare students for any theatrical pursuit. During each semester, ALL students are expected to audition and be available for casting in any role or understudy position for the semester play. This class may be taken for one or two semesters.

HS Band - 8th-12th Grade - Prerequisite - Two years of band experience or have the approval of the band director - Instructor:  Mr. Sharp  This is a full year commitment where students will learn through performance opportunities at football games, basketball games, and contests many different styles of music. They will also perform at the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, and Graduation. The marching band will perform at all home football games during half-time. Please contact Mr. Sharp at dsharp@ccsroyals.com for more information.  Click here for Royal Pride Band Handbook.

Introduction to Interior Design - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Davis  This is a one-semester course where students will learn how to hand draft small scale drawings of floor plans, space plans and custom furniture.  We will have projects based on residential and commercial design.  Students will learn how to work with clients, use budgets, show specifications and maintain functional designs for each project. This course is a one-semester course and may not be repeated. 

Mixed Media Art  - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Davis  This course includes an in-depth study of a variety of art topics, using a variety of media and artistic styles.  This course is a one-semester course and may not be repeated.

Painting - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Davis  This course offers a variety of painting projects along with a study of the history of painting.  Students will work with a variety of media, such as oil color, encaustic, watercolor, acrylic, sumi-e ink, etc., learning the characteristics of each while developing their skills in the elements of art and utilizing the principles of art.  This course is a one-semester course and may not be repeated.

Photography - 10th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mr. Van Dyke  In Photography, students will learn how to use a camera, how to create wonderful works of art and what it means to edit photographs. Student will build on each lesson and grow as artists. They will learn how to think critically and solve problems creatively. By the end of the semester students should be able to identify every part of a DSLR camera, along with how to edit photos and what makes a picture, just a picture and what makes a piece of art. This class is one semester and cannot be repeated.

Sculpture - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Davis  This course includes an in-depth study of three-dimensional art topics, using a variety of media and artistic styles.  This course will cover the problems and techniques of applied three-dimensional design with an emphasis on the use of materials and tools.  Topics such as clay, paper, wood, metal, etc. will be included. This course is a one-semester course and may not be repeated.

Speech - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor:  Mrs. Reynolds  Speech, like any other skill, improves with preparation and practice. This one semester class assists students in developing speaking skills in a variety of forums. These forums include interpersonal and group communication, persuasive speaking, informative speaking, and extemporaneous speaking. This course introduces students to the world of public speaking, and is designed to help students become more effective communicators. Students will examine different aspects of communication, including: communication process, verbal/nonverbal communication, voice and diction, listening and evaluating, as well as interpersonal communication.

Theater Production - 9th-12th Grade - Instructor: Mrs. Winkle Theatre terminology and fundamentals of stage design, set and property construction, costumes, make-up, promotions, and the principles of stage lighting and sound will be presented through this course. Each student will attend the after-school play rehearsals and serve on production crews during the performances. Students will learn all responsibilities of a production and be given the opportunity to creatively express their vision for each play performed. Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to practice their production skills through group projects designed to broaden their behind-the-scenes abilities. This class may be taken for one or two semesters.

"Leaving Iowa" - Fall 2019 Production