Elective Courses 2023-2024
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Elective courses are not required subject areas like reading and math, but they are optional courses that may be of interest to your child. Each middle school offers unique elective courses that your child can choose to take. Your child will select 2 top choice electives and 2 additional alternate elective choices from this list. It is important to note that the availability of elective courses is dependent upon each school’s master schedule, and choosing an elective does not guarantee its availability in your child’s individual schedule.
Los cursos electivos no son materias obligatorias como lectura y matemáticas, pero son cursos opcionales que pueden ser de interés para su hijo. Cada escuela intermedia ofrece cursos electivos únicos que su hijo puede elegir tomar. Su hijo seleccionará 2 opciones electivas principales y 2 opciones electivas alternativas adicionales de esta lista. Es importante tener en cuenta que la disponibilidad de cursos electivos depende del horario maestro de cada escuela, y elegir un electivo no garantiza su disponibilidad en el horario individual de su hijo.
7th Grade Electives 2023-2024
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Dramatics
Students develop specific skills that allow them to study and create characters for the stage. Activities include stage directions, simple set and costume design, prop collection, and play production. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances.
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Exploring Food and Agricultural Products & Exploring Environmental and Natural Resources
Students become informed consumers of food and agricultural products by understanding the processes to provide safe agricultural products for consumption. Processes covered include converting agricultural products into food and fiber products and the marketing and labeling principles that help consumers.
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Computer Science Discoveries I & II
Computer Science Discoveries (CS Discoveries) is an introductory computer science course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. Computer Science Discoveries takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. The course inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices. You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Coding in Minecraft Introductory & Intermediate
Using the Minecraft platform, students will gain the skill of designing and developing algorithms. Students will
also learn how to predict the outcome of running a series of statements; apply and understand the concept of
iteration and selection. Finally, students will understand how to debug and resolve problems in algorithms.
Mathematics and computer science standards are reinforced.
You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Beginning Spanish
This course begins the study of the Spanish language and culture and is the first part in the Spanish curriculum series for high school credit. Major topics include greetings, conversation questions, telling time, classroom objects, asking for help, the parts of the body, infinitive verbs, expressing likes and dislikes, definite and indefinite articles, adjectives, subject pronouns, the present tense of –ar verbs, and the plurals of nouns and articles. Students who successfully complete this course should continue the Spanish curriculum series for high school credit by taking Intermediate Spanish.
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Painting
This course introduces basic painting skills and concepts, and presents the painting process as a problem-solving exercise designed to promote fluency, flexibility, and elaboration. In addition, students will learn to think and write critically about master work as well as their own.
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Exploring Apparel & Interior Design & Understanding Personal Finance & Hospitality
This middle school course is composed of instructional modules designed to explore basic Family and Consumer Sciences foundations and skill sets. The modules that are covered in this course are: personal finance and resource management, food service and hospitality, and apparel.
You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Chorus
Students apply correct singing technique and various elements of musical expression through developmentally appropriate and historic vocal literature. Students learn how to use traditional notation in order to learn music, and to respond correctly to conductors’ gestures both in rehearsal and public performance. Students will study vocal music and its relationship to other cultures, eras, and geographical locations.
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Intermediate Band (yearlong course)
Prerequisite: Beginning band or permission from band director
This class is a continuation of the skills taught in Beginning Band with further development of tone production, breath support, and music reading. Students are introduced to performance skills and techniques. They are encouraged to perform as individuals and as members of an ensemble. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances.
Students who select band will be responsible for providing their own instruments.
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Beginning Band (yearlong course)
Emphasis is on the acquisition of basic musical skills as students learn to play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument. Band classes prepare several concert compositions that are performed for an audience. Students should anticipate some after school practices and evening performances.
Students who select beginning band will be responsible for providing their own instruments.
8th Grade Electives
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Advanced Dramatics
Students will continue to develop their acting skills through more challenging theatre projects. They will work collaboratively to incorporate all the technical elements (lighting, sound, scenery, costumes) into creating a production. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances.
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Agriculture and Our Social & Economic Well-Being & Exploring Agricultural Issues
Students learn the importance of agriculture to social and economic well-being. Students interpret how agriculture
supports life and how advances in the industry have helped society. A focus on agriculture careers and skills needed to be successful guide students through their work-based learning opportunities and leadership development.
You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Computer Science Discoveries I & II
Computer Science Discoveries (CS Discoveries) is an introductory computer science course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. Computer Science Discoveries takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. The course inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices. You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Coding in Minecraft Introductory & Intermediate
Using the Minecraft platform, students will gain the skill of designing and developing algorithms. Students will
also learn how to predict the outcome of running a series of statements; apply and understand the concept of
iteration and selection. Finally, students will understand how to debug and resolve problems in algorithms.
Mathematics and computer science standards are reinforced.
You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Spanish I (Middle School for High School Credit) (Yearlong elective)
Prerequisite: Beginning Spanish in 7th grade and teacher approval.
This course continues the study of the Spanish language and culture, refining grammatical and vocabulary topics. Major topics include foods, the present tense of –er and –ir verbs, the plurals of adjectives, the verb ser, the verb ir, question words, places, leisure activities, irregular verbs, possessive adjectives, family, celebrations, the restaurant, and personal descriptions. Students who complete this course successfully and who pass the exit exam (worth 20% of the overall grade) may take Spanish II at the high school level.
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Beginning Spanish
Major topics include greetings, conversation questions, telling time, classroom objects, asking for help, the parts of the body, infinitive verbs, expressing likes and dislikes, definite and indefinite articles, adjectives, subject pronouns, the present tense of –ar verbs, and the plurals of nouns and articles. Students who successfully complete this course should continue the Spanish curriculum series for high school credit by taking Intermediate Spanish.
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Pottery/Sculpture
Students will create their own work with a wide variety of media such as paper, wood, clay, plaster, paper mâché, or fabric. Students explore various cultures, art history and learn to think and write critically about master work as well as their own.
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Exploring Personal Characteristics and Careers & Exploring Careers and Employment
Students experience an orientation to career planning and future employment success. Emphasis is placed on
understanding the world-of-work, skills needed for employment success, and the career planning and
preparation process. Based on the National Career Development Guidelines, skills reinforced include, but are
not limited to communications, personal management, and teamwork. You will register for only one of these two courses and the system will auto enroll for the additional course once scheduling begins at the school.
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Chorus
Students apply correct singing technique and various elements of musical expression through developmentally appropriate and historic vocal literature. Students learn how to use traditional notation in order to learn music, and to respond correctly to conductors’ gestures both in rehearsal and public performance. Students will study vocal music and its relationship to other cultures, eras, and geographical locations.
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Advanced Band (yearlong course)
Prerequisite: Intermediate band or permission from band director
Technical drills, scale studies, rhythm studies, and sight reading exercises are used to advance the student's skills, knowledge, and reading ability in music. A wide variety of band literature is studied to give the students experience in various musical styles. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances.
Students who select band will be responsible for providing their own instruments.