Exploring Animal and Plant Science

This middle school course introduces students to the industry of agriculture. Topics of instruction include animal science, agricultural science and technology, plant science, agricultural issues, natural resources, food science, stewardship, consumer agriculture, and careers in agricultural science. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, job shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

Exploring Agriculture Issues

This course introduces students to the industry of agriculture. Topics of instruction include agricultural science and technology, agricultural issues, food science, stewardship, consumer agriculture, and careers in agricultural science. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, job shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology

This course focuses on the agricultural and medical industry with emphasis on the relationship of science and technology that affects agriculture, medicine, and health care. Topics include career concepts in the agriculture and medical fields. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. This course contributes to the development of a career development plan. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, job shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

Beginning Band

In this class, students will learn how to play their choice of woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments.  Students will learn the basics of how to play their instrument individually, and how to play as part of a traditional wind ensemble.  Students will study traditional and contemporary band literature of grade level 0.5 - 1.  Students will also learn how to read and write music.  No previous experience is required or expected.  As members of the Band, students will be expected to attend and perform in concerts after normal school hours.  Students will also be expected to practice their instrument and study their music at home every week.  Our Mission Statement is: “We are here to learn every day, so that we can have fun together, play music together, and be ready for future musical opportunities.”

Intermediate Band

This class is only available to students who have passed the Beginning Band course.  In this class, students will continue to study the fundamental techniques of their chosen instrument and the art of performing in a wind ensemble, building on what they mastered in Beginning Band.  Students will study traditional and contemporary band literature of grade level 1 - 2.  As members of the Band, students will be expected to attend and perform in concerts after normal school hours.  Students will also be expected to practice their instrument and study their music at home every week.  Our Mission Statement is: “We are here to learn every day, so that we can have fun together, play music together, and be ready for future musical opportunities.”

Advanced Band

This class is only available to students who have passed the Intermediate Band course.  In this class, students will continue to study the fundamental techniques of their chosen instrument and the art of performing in a wind ensemble, building on what they mastered in Intermediate Band.  Students will study traditional and contemporary band literature of grade level 2 - 3.  There will also be a strong emphasis on preparing students for the technical and musical demands of high school band.  As members of the Band, students will be expected to attend and perform in concerts after normal school hours.  Students will also be expected to practice their instrument and study their music at home every week.  Our Mission Statement is: “We are here to learn every day, so that we can have fun together, play music together, and be ready for future musical opportunities.”

6th Grade - Introduction to Chinese

This course is an introduction to the Chinese language and culture. Major topics include greetings, numbers, colors, the family, basic prepositions, negative expressions, adjectives, and commands.  

7th Grade - Chinese Beginning 1 Year

In this course, activities focus on students' abilities to perform in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication. Students who successfully complete this course should enroll in the Advanced course to complete the HS Level I credit. 

8th grade - Chinese I (for High School Credit)

This course completes the high school Chinese I credit. Students should have taken Beginning prior to enrolling in this course. In this course, students will continue to learn the foundations of the language and practice communication skills (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) in the target language.  

Coding in Minecraft and Computer Science Discovery

Students will start this paired course with Computer Science Discoveries. It 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.

After gaining knowledge of coding fundamentals, students will use the Minecraft platform to learn 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."

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes are required classes for students who are Multilingual Learners (MLs). MLs need to learn how to speak, read, write, listen, and respond socially and academically in American English. In these classes, the students learn about the vocabulary and skills needed to meet their greatest academic potential in their science, math, English Language Arts (ELA), social studies, and elective classes. This class helps students find higher academic success in the school community. 

This course is intended as a link between the elementary language programs or as an initial introduction to the language. The exploratory course does not aim to build proficiency in communication skills but focuses on increasing the understanding of the language culture, building an appreciation for the value of learning another language, and increasing the motivation for future language study. The exploratory curriculum may emphasize the use of songs, games, and activities to practice the new language and to learn about the culture.

In this class, students are introduced to the skills necessary for singing and playing music with accuracy and expression while interpreting the sound and symbols of music.  Through the study of various genres and cultures students will analyze, evaluate, and understand the music and concepts from other areas.

In this course, students will develop their communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills as they explore the fundamentals of journalistic writing and storytelling. Students will use video and audio equipment to produce and publish stories for their class and school community. 

Beginning Orchestra (6th Grade)

No prior experience is necessary for this class, as we will all be learning the basics of playing a stringed instrument and reading music.  This is a performance based ensemble that will participate in our Winter and Spring Orchestra concerts.

Beginning/Intermediate Orchestra (7th Grade)

While no prior experience is required for this class, there will be some student leaders who have played for a year or more.  We will synergize to create meaningful performances for both Beginning and Intermediate students.  Our required performances will be at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters.

Advanced Orchestra (8th Grade)

Some of the benefits of a more in depth study of music for your child will include: problem solving, teamwork, goal-setting, self-expression, physical coordination, memory skills, self-confidence, and concentration, just to name a few…

6th Grade

This course focuses on exploring the basics of the Spanish language. The course covers basic topics such as greetings, weather, colors, adjectives, and descriptions. students lightly explore the culture and traditions of some Spanish-speaking countries.

7th Grade

In this course, the class focuses on 3 different units. The goal is for students to develop Spanish language skills such as interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Students who successfully complete this course may enroll in the Advanced course to complete HS Level I credit.

8th Grade

This course completes the 5 different units of Spanish 1. Students who successfully complete this level may earn a high school credit. Students should have taken Spanish Beginner before enrolling in this course. In this course, students will continue to learn the fundamentals of the language and practice communication skills (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentation) in the target language.

Invention and Innovation I and II