Electives
Electives
Study Hall
Study Hall is a nine week course for 7th graders during the first quarter. In Study Hall, students work on organizational skills, learn how to calculate their grade point average (GPA), and work on citizenship and interpersonal skills. The purpose of this course is to provide the skills for success in secondary school.
ART
This is an introductory course designed to provide the fundamental basics of art, called the elements of art, which are the building blocks of any artwork. Prior experience is not necessary for success. Students will get the opportunity to work with multiple mediums in painting, drawing, and sculpting through the exploration of other cultures methods and purposes in art making. Students will also be introduced to historical and modern artworks while learning to discuss artwork as a member of field. Students will explore topics that will expand their sense of self in relation to other people and the world around them. In addition to artistic skill and creative expression, there will be a variety opportunities for students to practice their reading, writing, and verbal expression skills. The major goals will be to provide students with another way to express themselves and to improve problem solving skills!
AVID - ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION
AVID is designed for students who desire structured support for college preparation. Students in the AVID program will engage in a rigorous curriculum designed to enhance their personal and academic potential for success in college preparatory courses and to increase college level knowledge, skills, and motivation for future college learning. Students will work individually and collaboratively on writing, research, teamwork, problem solving, interpersonal skills, and information analysis. At the high school level, AVID is a four year elective series designed to offer direct support with the goal of college readiness after high school graduation.
LEADERSHIP
This class is designed to provide experience as you prepare to assume responsibility for the governance of student life on campus and in the community. Additionally, the class provides students with a theoretical background in contemporary leadership theory and practice. The primary purpose of this course is to facilitate learning opportunities and experiences, and to provide students with examples of knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to assume positive leadership roles in their own family, school, and larger communities. This class helps gain a better understanding of leadership and its application to daily life as a student and citizen.
Journalism
Students will learn investigative skills, responsible reporting, and journalistic writing techniques as they read, respond to, and write their own news and feature articles and create their own news broadcast. Students conduct interviews, research, write, and design their own publications.
MESA - MATH ENGINEERING SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT
The MESA School Program (MSP) supports pre-college students to excel in math and science and go on to college as majors in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, & math). Advising and academic assistance is provided through a MESA advisor, usually a math or science teacher. Components of the MSP include development of individual academic plans, study skills training, local and regional competitions in hands-on activities, career and college exploration.
STEAM
STEAM uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student creativity and critical thinking. Students need to take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. Students will need to design and build their innovative solutions to classroom challenges. Students will engage in collaborative problem solving, engineering design, measurements and data collection, construction, and aesthetic implementation.
- In this quarter long class, we will be introduced to the engineering process; learning simple code and designing and building for class competitions.
- As a year long class, there is time to explore engineering and technology in more depth. Students will have the opportunity to program for Arduinos, build using hydraulics, and build solar cars. Students in the year long class will be involved in the MESA program and are able to build projects for the competitions and attend MESA trips.
Curriculum Support 7th & 8th Grades
- Develop students' phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension skills
- Develop students' speaking and listening skills
- Develop students' foundational and grade level math skills
- Develop students' executive functioning skills (such as planning, organizing materials and completing a task/assignment)
- Provide opportunities for students to complete classroom assignments
