| The
electives for intermediate school students provide a wide range of
choices to appeal to the varied interests displayed by children this
age. The rich elective offerings complement the intermediate school
curricular program, expanding the learning opportunities for students. |
FINE ARTS
ART (semester)
Art is a class geared for beginning students. The basic mechanics of art will be explored. The elements of design (line, color, shape, space, and value) will be covered during the semester in the drawings and paintings. Students will be asked to bring a $25 fee for supplies.
ART I (full year)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student 1 high school Fine Art credit.
Art I is a class is for 8th grade students who have already had one semester of the Art class and demonstrate advanced art skills. In this class, students will be doing more advanced projects, working collaboratively to develop lessons and art processes, advancing in photo-realism, acrylic painting, printmaking, ceramics, an introduction to chalk pastels, oil pastels, and glass fusing. Students will have mastery level skills in understanding and applying the principles of design and the elements of art. Students will be asked to bring a $50 fee for supplies.
DANCE I, II, III (semester)
These courses will help the student develop kinesthetic awareness while dancing. The student will apply body science and fitness principles to dance and demonstrate an understanding of cultural, historical, and artistic diversity. Students will gain knowledge of a variety of dance styles and technical skills while participating in dance activities which encourage growth of creative self-expression.
DRAMA (semester)
Students will develop and apply skills in oral language, non-verbal communication, and listening in interpersonal group and public contexts. In addition, students will have opportunities to write, rehearse and perform monologues, duets, scenes and plays. Students will be asked to bring a $25 fee for supplies.
DRAMA I (full year)
Students will develop and apply skills in oral language, non-verbal
communication, and listening in interpersonal group and public contexts.
In addition, students will have opportunities to write, rehearse and
perform monologues, duets, scenes and plays. Students will be asked to
bring a $50 fee for supplies.
BAND PROGRAM
CONCERT WINDS (full year)
Concert Winds are for students who enjoy playing a band instrument but who need some additional work on fundamentals beyond first year band. This group will perform at selected functions throughout the year. Students will audition; directors will determine placement. Fees apply to defray costs-see teacher.
CONCERT BAND (full year)
Concert Band is for students who have been successful in beginning band. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring a thorough knowledge of fundamentals in order to achieve better performance standards. This group will perform at selected functions and UIL contests throughout the year. Students will audition, and the directors will determine placement. Fees apply to defray costs-see teacher.
SYMPHONIC BAND (full year)
Symphonic Band is for advanced instrumental groups in the school. Membership is open to both 7th and 8th grade students. Emphasis will be placed on development of skills necessary for good performance. This group will perform at selected functions and UIL contests throughout the year. Students will audition, and the directors will determine placement. Fees apply to defray costs-see teacher.
JAZZ BAND (full year)
Current membership in Band or Orchestra is required (exceptions are permitted for piano, guitar, and bass). Primarily, the jazz band provides enrichment for band and orchestra students, which is not possible in those classes because of instrumentation and their emphases on fundamentals and concert performances. Students will be asked to bring a $25 fee to defray costs.
CHORAL PROGRAM
BEGINNING CHOIR (full year)
Beginning
Choir is for the first year choir student who is trying to learn the
skills necessary to perform in concerts or contest. This is a
non-performing choir. There is singing, which will include proper
breathing techniques, placement of tone, sight reading skills, music
theory, phrasing, diction, and choral musicianship.
TREBLE (GIRLS) CHOIR (full year)
This choir is for girls who have attained the necessary skills to perform in concerts or contests. They are placed in this choir because of their overall rank obtained from their composite grade in choir for the previous year, their audition, and teacher recommendation. Members of this choir will be expected to participate in all choir activities.
TENOR/BASS (BOYS) CHOIR (full year)
Boys must have developed the necessary skills to perform in concerts or contests. They are placed in this choir because of their overall rank obtained from their composite grade in choir for the previous year, their audition, and teacher recommendation. Members of this choir will be expected to participate in all choir activities. Fees apply to defray costs-see teacher.
CHOIR - HONORS (full year)
Boys and girls must have developed the highest level of skill necessary to perform in concerts or contests. They are placed in this choir because of their overall rank obtained from their composite grade in choir for the previous year, their audition, and teacher recommendation. The smaller size of this choir allows it to do show choir numbers with choreography. Members of this choir will be expected to participate in all choir activities and purchase designated performance apparel.
ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
ORCHESTRA (full year)
This class is for students who enjoy orchestra, but who need some additional work on fundamentals beyond the first year. This group will perform at selected functions throughout the year. Students will audition and the director will determine placement. Students will be asked to bring a $25 fee to defray costs.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (full year)
This class is for string players looking to further develop on the instrument’s fundamentals and meet expectations in ensemble skills. Music selection spans from classical to popular styles in the form of orchestral literature, exercises, etudes, and soli. Students will perform at all concerts and attend UIL String Orchestra Contest, with section rehearsals toward this endeavor. Students are encouraged to participate in Region Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble contests, and private lessons. Students will raise funds for uniforms and orchestra activities. Audition consists of one octave scale exercises, performance of a solo and simple sight-reading. Fees apply to defray costs.
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA (full year)
This course is for advancing string players looking to develop on the instrument’s fundamentals and meet high expectations in ensemble skills. Music selection spans from classical to popular styles in the form of orchestral literature, exercises, etudes, and soli. Students will perform at all concerts and contests and will attend extra rehearsals toward these endeavors: Region Orchestra auditions, UIL Full Orchestra contest, Solo and Ensemble contest, and UIL String Orchestra contest. Private lessons are highly recommended for this competitive ensemble. Placement is determined by director. Fees apply to defray costs.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION BOYS (semester/year)
Students will acquire the knowledge for movement that provides the foundation for enjoyment, social development, and access to a physically active lifestyle. The student will learn that a physically active lifestyle relates to their health throughout their lifespan.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION GIRLS (semester/year)
Students will acquire the knowledge for movement that provides the foundation for enjoyment, social development, and access to a physically active lifestyle. The student will learn that a physically active lifestyle relates to their health throughout their lifespan.
ATHLETICS BOYS (semester/year)
In addition to the 7th or 8th grade physical education course description, the athletics course consists of strength, agility, and conditioning training the entire school year. This course is for students participating in athletics on campus. Students must have a physical on file and turn in any additional required paperwork. Student success in this class is dependent on active daily participation. Note: Athletic classes are collaboratively scheduled by administrators and coaches at each campus to meet program needs, provide adequate supervision, and access to facilities.
ATHLETICS GIRLS (semester/year)
In addition to the 7th or 8th grade physical education course description, the athletics course consists of strength, agility, and conditioning training the entire school year. This course is for students participating in athletics on campus. Students must have a physical on file and turn in any additional required paperwork. Student success in this class is dependent on active daily participation. Note: Athletic classes are collaboratively scheduled by administrators and coaches at each campus to meet program needs, provide adequate supervision, and access to facilities.
FOUNDATIONS OF PERSONAL FITNESS (semester/year)
NOTE: Students who have successfully completed four semesters of physical education in grades 6-8 may qualify to take Foundations of Personal Fitness for High School Credit. Students completing four semesters of physical education prior to 8th grade can be awarded a half high school credit for each semester of Foundations of Personal Fitness taken in 8th grade.
The basic purpose of this course is to motivate students to strive for lifetime personal fitness with an emphasis on the health-related components of physical fitness. The knowledge and skills taught in this course include teaching students about the process of becoming fit as well as achieving some degree of fitness within the class. The concept of wellness, or striving to reach optimal levels of health, is the corner stone of this course and is exemplified by one of the course objectives-students designing their own personal fitness program.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
PROJECT LEAD THE WAY GATEWAY: AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS // DESIGN & MODELING (full year)
Note: Students earn ½ high school elective credit for completing one (1) year of Project Lead the Way Gateway courses.
* First semester: students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using the VEX Robotics® platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms, and more.
* Second semester: students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS (semester)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student ½ high school elective credit.
Professional Communications blends written, oral, and graphic communication in a career-based environment. Careers in the global economy require individuals to be creative and have a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong and solid academic foundation, and a proficiency in professional oral and written communication. Within this context, students will be expected to develop and expand the ability to write, read, edit speak, listen, apply software applications, manipulate computer graphics, and conduct Internet research.
TOUCH SYSTEM DATA ENTRY (semester)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student ½ high school elective credit.
Touch System Data Entry teaches technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies. Students will produce various business documents focusing on correct formatting of documents, proper keyboarding technique, and skills with file management. Students will need to apply touch system data entry for production of business documents.
LIFETIME NUTRITION & WELLNESS (semester)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student ½ high school elective credit.
This course allows students to use principles of lifetime wellness and nutrition to help them make informed choices that promote wellness as well as pursue careers related to hospitality and tourism, education and training, human services, and health sciences.
PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN SERVICES (full year)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student 1 high school elective credit.
This course is designed to introduce students to the careers in the human services industry such as counseling, mental health, early childhood development, family and community and personal care services.
INVESTIGATING CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I (semester)
This exploratory course is designed for students to investigate the types of activities performed in the construction industry. Through laboratory experiences, students will explore the skills and tools of this industry; which include hand, power and portable tools. Students will demonstrate basic safety. Introduction to construction math and technical drawings will be explored. Fees apply to defray costs.
INVESTIGATING CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY II, III (semester)
This course is a continuation of Construction Technology. Students will design and construct various types of projects. They will continue to learn construction skills, including drawings and presentations. Proper safety and operation of hand and power tools will be demonstrated by students.
Prerequisite: Prior Level of Investigating Careers in Construction. Fees apply to defray costs.
INVESTIGATING CAREERS IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS (semester)
This exploratory course focuses on careers in health care professions. Students explore concepts of health and wellness from the perspective of a health consumer as well as potential professional in the health care industry. Fees apply to defray costs-see teacher.
INVESTIGATING CAREERS IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS II, III (semester)
This exploratory course focuses on careers in health care professions and is a continuation of Health Professions. Students explore concepts of health and wellness from the perspective of a health consumer as well as potential professional in the healthcare industry.
Prerequisite: Prior Level of Investigating Careers in Health Professions. Fees apply to defray costs.
LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE)
DISCOVERING LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (full year)
Note: Successful completion of this course will earn a student 1 high school Spanish 1 credit.
This course introduces students to a variety of areas of the Spanish language and of the various Spanish-speaking cultures. Students use components of language, make observations about Spanish language and cultures, develop language study skills, and/or acquire simple communicative skills. Students will make connections and compare the Spanish language and culture with their own.
JOURNALISM
YEARBOOK (full year)
Yearbook students will interview, write articles, design layouts, compile and manipulate digital photographs, and use computers to develop the yearbook. The class requires students to be very responsible, willing to make a significant time commitment, and able to work in groups as well as independently in and out of the classroom. Students who are interested in taking the class may be asked to apply in the semester prior to taking the class.
STUDENT ASSISTANTS - 8th grade only
LIBRARY ASSISTANTS (semester)
Participation in this class teaches students organizational, computer,
research, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. Duties include
shelving books, checking books in and out, using the Library Automation
System, processing new materials, and assisting with library/media
matters. Students may be asked to fill out an application or participate
in a personal interview with the librarian. Space in this class is very
limited. (7th grade with approval)
OFFICE WORKERS (semester)
Office Workers are students who have been chosen to work in various
offices in the school. Participation in this class teaches students
organizational, communication, and decision-making skills. Duties
involve delivering messages, giving new students tours of the campus,
and other duties specific to the assigned office. Students may be asked
to complete an application. Selection criteria will be based on conduct,
attendance, and grades.
PALS (full year)
PALS stands for Peer Assistance and Leadership Skills. The PALS course is limited to 8th grade students who have applied, been interviewed, and selected by a panel of current PALS and faculty members. This course is designed to teach self-confidence, leadership, and communication skills to assist other students.