Thomas W. Pyle Middle School
Incoming 8th Grade
Arts Course Offerings
Course Information for school year 2025-26
Semester Electives
Culinary Explorations 8 - Semester
Research recipes, cook foods from the food groups: grains, proteins, vegetables and dairy
Work in groups to research international and regional foods, prepare a family recipe cookbook
Food lab jobs: chef, dish washer, dish dryer and table setter.
Fashion, Clothing & Interior Design Explorations 8- Semester
EXPLORATORY THEATER (The semester course)
Ms. Hoover
Exploratory Theater is a semester course designed with a focus on Improvisation! Any student can sign-up -- no performance experience required! Students learn the art of improvisation, and learn and practice the rules of Improv through game play and foundational theater skills. Come unleash your imagination and find out how to play: “Death in a minute”, “Gibberish”, and “Exits and Entrances”. At the end of the semester, students “compete” as teams in a challenge of Improvisation, comedy, and a lot of laughs for all. Improv teaches you many things: how to think creatively, how to think on your feet, and how to work with others. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
Don’t Forget!
Review the WEBSITE
For MORE examples
of Theater fun!
Gateway to Technology B GTT: B - Semester
The Design Process and Creative Problem Solving
Specialty Art 8: 2D & 3D Design - Semester
This is a fun class where 8th graders can use their imaginations to create sculptures and 2 dimensional artworks
Full Year Electives
Principles of Information Technology: Digital Systems Applied to Robotics -
Robotics: No experience required!
This is a robotics class!
Gateway to Technology A/B GTT: A/B
Semester B adds a unit on flight and robotics
Full year….no prior classes required!
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B (IED)
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
High School Credit for technology
The Pyle Instrumental Music Program is…
A community where
you can make friends
A team where you can
work hard
An environment where
you can be creative
A place to have fun!
Concerts & Trips!
Hershey Park Competition!
Let’s hear Star Wars
from the Advanced Band!
Band & Orchestra Teacher
Mrs. Jacobs
6th Grade Orchestra Teacher
Mr. Dakota Slay-vincent
dakota_c_slay-vincent@mcpsmd.org
Band Instruments
flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone,
trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
Band Classes
Concert Band → Intermediate Band → Advanced Band
***After school audition-based bands: The Pyle Jazz Band & The Pyle Woodwind Ensemble
Orchestra Instruments
Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Orchestra Classes
Concert Orchestra → Advanced Orchestra
***After school audition-based group: The Pyle Jazz Band
Let’s hear orchestra!
Question: What if I didn’t do band or orchestra in elementary school?
Answer: You can still join! Just email Mrs. Jacobs so she can help you select
an instrument.
Question: What if I play guitar or piano?
Answer: Piano and guitar are unfortunately not offered in class, but MANY
guitar and piano players learn a second instrument in band and
orchestra and love it!
Question: What if I am really advanced on my instrument?
Answer: Email Mrs. Jacobs so she can help you audition for a top ensemble.
Let’s hear again from the Pyle bands & orchestras!
7th Grade Chorus (MS Chorus II or III) - Full Year
Pyle Chorus
Find Your Voice.
Join the award-winning Pyle Chorus!
Separate Treble (higher voice) and Tenor/Bass (lower voice) range groups
Chorus FAQS
Do you need to know how to sing to be in the chorus?
Nope! Any student, regardless of experience is welcome and encouraged to join!
Do you only sing classical music?
Nope! We sing acapella, Broadway, classical, pop, and contemporary music. We also sing music in a variety of languages that are representative of many cultures.
Do you take trips?
Yes!, Hershey park or Six Flags every year! We perform and then spend the day in the park!
What languages have you sung in?
Swahili, Russian, Icelandic, Ladino, Hebrew, Latin, Gaelic, Japanese, Spanish
Are there any auditioned choral ensembles?
Yes, in 7th grade you can audition for Pyle Voices!
What is the main goal in Chorus?
The main goal is to experience singing within an inclusive and supportive environment while having fun and building community.
Questions? Email Mrs. Novak!
I can’t wait to see you in chorus next year!
Intermediate & Advanced Theater (The year-long course!)
Sign up for 8th
Ms. Hoover
Advanced Theater is offered to students who would like to deepen their experience with the dramatic arts and have a desire to further challenge themselves! Any student can sign-up -- no performance experience required! The course is a two year rotation, so no content is repeated if students wish to take the class for one or two years. Students develop their performance skills through scene and script work, improv, physical comedy, stage combat, dramatic performance, and directing. There are performances at the end of the first semester and at the end of the full year course, as well as annual field trips. Students learn to appreciate different historical periods and types of theater in this performance-based course, while also attending local performances which further teach students to appreciate the production process for creating live theater!
Don’t Forget!
Review the WEBSITE
For MORE examples
of Theater fun!
Journalism 8 / TV studio -
This course is for motivated and committed students who are interested in learning news reporting and yearbook layout and editing. Students will create video segments for the morning announcements on a variety of topics including current events, pop-culture, STEM achievements, and important events in history. Students will also work collaboratively to create the Pyle yearbook. Students will gain skills in writing, video editing, and graphic design.