Middle School Elective Course Descriptions

 

Acting (7/8)

Offers students foundational training in the principles and techniques of acting. Through exercises, improvisation, and scene work, participants explore characterization, emotional authenticity, and storytelling in a supportive learning environment.

Animation (7/8)

Students will learn how to create their own characters, storytelling through art, and understand the basics of animation. This will include character line ups, landscape drawings, character walk/run, etc

Asian Crafts (7/8)

This class includes origami, paper cutting, sticker paper painting, handcraft toys or utensils, calligraphy, and Easy Chinese Painting.  Students may explore types of folk art and the materials and ways in which objects have been created for practical, religious, spiritual, and cultural needs of people around the world. These courses may survey a wide range of crafts

Band (**YEAR REQUIRED)(**Fee for class)(5-8)

This course is designed for beginning band students. Students with no band experience should start in this course. This band will perform at local festivals and events. Instruments offered are: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba. 

Basketball (7/8)

Learn the basics and developmental skills of basketball and working as a team. 

Cheerleading (5-8)

This course trains students in most aspects of cheerleading. Emphasis is placed on promoting a positive school spirit, strong leadership skills, safety, flexibility and proper technique. Students will learn stunts, tumbling, dances and strength needed for cheer.

Cooking Around the World (7/8)

Learn to cook food from around the world. Utilizing traditional ingredients and techniques.

Electronic Music Composition/Song Writing (*5/6 Lunch)(5-8)

This course is designed for students who want to write their own music using electronic mediums. The goal of this course is for students to create a complete album by the end of the term. 

Graphic and Digital Design (7/8)

This course explores techniques of digital imaging, and the use of the computer as both medium and tool in digital art, custom apparel creation & design production. 

Japanese Martial Arts and Culture (**YEAR REQUIRED)(5-8) 

In this class, students will embark on a cultural journey as they train various aspects of Japanese Martial Arts.  These are the same techniques and traditions that were proven and tested on the battlefield in feudal Japan by the Samurai Warriors, only to be passed down to modern times.  Students will train the Martial Arts, just as they are practiced in a traditional Japanese Dojo (Martial Arts School) setting with a focus on culture, etiquette, and philosophy.  Students will train in mindfulness as they test their physical capabilities along with discovering their mental potential.

Library Aid (7/8)

Students to help with library responsibilities.

Musical Theater Dance (*5/6 Lunch)(5-8)

Dance for Musical Theater courses teach students how dance can be used in musical theater. Students learn the history of musical theater and types of dance that are typically used in musical theater including tap, jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance forms.

Musical Theater Performance (*5/6 Lunch)(5-8)

Musical Theater provides students with the opportunity to explore and/or participate in various aspects of musical theater, including auditioning, singing, acting, and dancing. These courses review the history and evolution of musical theater, its literature and artists, and styles of composition and vocal presentation. Students work collaboratively on performances, including solo, duet, and ensemble work.

Robotics and Game Design (7/8)

The Robotics and Game Design elective class will teach students how to design and build their own video games and robots. Students will learn basic video game coding concepts by making animations, interactive art, and games while developing personalized, interactive programs. Students will also work hands-on in teams to design, build, program LEGO Mindstorm EV3 robots to compete in various obstacle courses and challenges.

Sound Design (*5/6 Lunch)(5-8)

Sound Design course explores the creative and conceptual aspects of designing and producing sound for a variety of multimedia and popular musical forms.

Strength and Conditioning (7/8)

While health and fitness is our central focus, this course will be focused around teaching the basics of strength and conditioning. Students will learn about the benefits of working out and why it is so important to continue a healthy lifestyle. 

Strings (**YEAR REQUIRED)(**Fee for class)(5-8)

This course is designed for beginning string instrument students. Students with no orchestra experience should start in this course. This orchestra will perform at local festivals and events. Instruments offered are: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.

Study Hall (7/8)

Study Hall course prepares students for success in school. Course topics may vary according to the students involved, but typically include reading improvement skills, such as scanning, note-taking, and outlining; library and research skills; listening and note-taking; vocabulary skills; and test-taking skills. The courses may also include exercises designed to generate organized, logical thinking and writing.

Team Sports (7/8)

Recreational Team Sports is a course created for students who are interested in team sports, but focused around having fun and giving the students an opportunity to learn a sport that may interest them. 

Tech Theater 1 (7/8)

This course is a prerequisite for Tech Theater 2. Encompasses the behind-the-scenes technical aspects of theatrical productions, including lighting, sound, set design, and special effects. It blends creativity with technical expertise to enhance the audience's experience and bring the vision of a performance to life.

Tech Theater 2 (**Prerequisite of Tech Theater 1 REQUIRED)(7/8)

Encompasses the advanced behind-the-scenes technical aspects of theatrical productions, including advanced lighting, advanced sound, advanced set design, and advanced special effects. It blends creativity with technical expertise to enhance the audience's experience and bring the vision of a performance to life.

Video Production and Yearbook (7/8)

The Video Production and Yearbook elective class will produce the weekly WCA Video Announcements and the annual school yearbook. Students will gain skills in broadcasting, interviewing, recording and filming, lighting, photography, editing, and copywriting. Students will learn how to use a green screen and how to create custom backgrounds and images while producing a creative, innovative weekly broadcast video and a school yearbook.

Visual Arts-Ceramics (7/8)

This course investigates the unique, material nature of clay as a medium for exploring artistic concepts and ideas. Studio assignments and demonstrations introduce several basic handbuilding methods as well as glazing and firing techniques.

Visual Arts-Drawing (7/8)

This course will provide a foundation in drawing using a variety of techniques and media (such as pen-and-ink, pencil, chalk, and so on) in both black and white and color, emphasizing observation and interpretation of the visual environment, life drawing, and imaginative drawing. 

Visual Arts-Mixed Media (7/8)

This course will enable students to explore one or several art forms (e.g., drawing, painting, two- and three-dimensional design, and sculpture) and to create individual works of art. This course will cover the language, materials, media, and processes of a particular art form and the design elements used. 

Visual Arts-Painting (7/8)

Students will learn how to paint on different mediums and understand the basics of acrylic paint. You will learn how to mix paints and use different types of color schemes in your paintings.

Volleyball (7/8)

Learn the basics and developmental skills of Volleyball and working on a team. 

Yoga and Meditation (7/8)

This course allows students to learn about the body and will be able to find alternative ways to relax and deal with stress. Students are constantly battling their own emotions and I want to offer them a chance to take a deep breath. 

World Affairs Challenge (**TRIMESTERS 1+2 REQUIRED)(7/8)

The United States and World Affairs course provides a study of global interrelationships. Topics covered may include geographic, political, economic, and social issues of a particular country or region, with an emphasis on how these issues influence (or are influenced by) the way in which the United States relates to other countries in an interdependent world context.