Electives

Art 

Elective: Fine Art

Artists will explore multiple art mediums and topics to create both personal and collaborative artworks.  The 7 Elements of Art will be widely used throughout studios to enhance art knowledge and aesthetics.  Studios that will be explored include (but are not limited to): drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, 2-dimensional works, 3-dimensional works, and fibers. Within the art curriculum, students will also be introduced to working collaboratively, thinking beyond basic ideas (creativity), working in a world of multiple perspectives, and problem-solving to create original works of art. 

Advanced Art 

Elective: Fine Art

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Completion of the needed Art course and having passed Art with an 85% or higher. 

The advanced art class can be taken by students who meet qualifying requirements and are serious about advancing their artistic skills. This class is being limited to two sections. If the number of requests exceeds the limited amount, teacher recommendations will also be obtained. Within this class, students will be asked to complete a multitude of projects based on the 7th and 8th-grade visual art standards that are student-led and designed. The elements and principles of art will be explored to create original artworks using different mediums chosen by students. 

Animals, Food & Natural Resources I 

HS Credit: 0.5 per semester Practical Art

Grade: 8

Animals, Food & Natural Resources (AFNR) I is designed to integrate scientific principles and new technologies to the animal and plant industries. Students will learn through hands-on activities the basics of food science, natural resources management, animal science & management, plant & horticultural science, power technology, and biotechnology.  Leadership will be emphasized as students develop skills in parliamentary procedure, committee work, communication, public speaking, interpersonal skills, and teamwork.  Additionally, students will learn techniques in woodworking and greenhouse management.  Field trips to local businesses will further teach students these concepts.

FFA participation is required as an extension of the classroom learning to provide students with leadership, scholarship, and competitive activity opportunities.  This is counted as a part of the classroom grade and can be fulfilled by attending a limited number of FFA meetings, participating in competitions, and participating in community service activities, as chosen by the student.  

Credit: 8th-grade students taking this course earn high school credit. Grades earned will appear on high school transcripts and count toward high school GPA.

Band 7 & Band 8

Elective: Fine Art

Students enrolling in the seventh and eighth-grade band should have successfully completed previous training on a band instrument and have a desire to learn more about music.  Additional skills will be emphasized to provide the basics needed for membership in the high school band.  Students will perform at several concerts throughout the year as well as an outdoor performance in the fall.  Attendance is required at all performances and any after school rehearsals. Students signing up for band are expected to make a full-year commitment. 

Career Connections in Industry

Elective: Practical Art

This course concentrates on the knowledge and understanding of systems, how these systems work, their impact on people and the environment, and their connection to various careers. Students will engage in multiple HANDS-ON activities/projects working with computers, hand tools, power tools, and woodworking machines incorporating STEM principles (science, technology, engineering, and math). Safety will be stressed. Problem-solving, drafting, and design will also be covered. The four areas of technology will also be studied: communication, production, transportation, and biotechnology. Developed skills and experiences will be applied to career explorations in industry, such as mechanical engineering, technology, robotics, electrical engineering, plumbing, and general craftsmanship. Guest speakers within various industry sectors will share their experiences and how the content and skills being explored connect to careers in the real world.

Choir 7 & Choir 8

Elective: Fine Art

The junior high choir program is an elective class that meets every day for one full semester, fulfilling the fine arts requirement.  This program is designed to teach you HOW to sing and be successful at it, enhancing the musical, creative, and expressive qualities of all students!  Fall semester presents students with the opportunity to perform in a musical, both as cast members and chorus members!  Spring semester focuses on learning to sing in 3 parts and presenting a spring performance!  Attendance at performances is required and takes place outside of normal class time.  Come join us for a musical time!

Exploring Communications

Elective: Fine Art

Exploring Communications introduces students to the fundamentals of journalism emphasizing print stories, with additional concentrations in radio and television news broadcasting. Students will devote class time to experiencing the history of journalism, the journalistic writing process, audience, framing news stories, radio and television scripting and production, and related relevant aspects to develop a comprehensive appreciation of the subject matter to catapult them into creative next-level thinking and 21st-century skills development.

General Music

Elective: Fine Art

General music is an elective class that meets every day for one full semester, fulfilling the fine arts requirement.  This class is for the student who wishes to learn more about music in a classroom setting rather than or in addition to a performance group.  Through this class, students will enhance their music skills and fundamentals through music theory, such as learning how to read and play music and rhythms.  Students will also learn about multiple musical art forms, such as movie music and musical theater, and have the opportunity to create these musical art forms themselves.  To end the semester, students will learn music hands on by getting to learn and play the ukulele.  Come join us for a musical time, and maybe even gain a life-long love for music!

Green Architecture

Elective: Practical Art

Today’s students have grown up in an age of “green” choices. In Green Architecture, students learn how to apply this concept to the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural sustainability as they design affordable housing units using Autodesk® 123D® Design software.

Intro to Video Game Design

Elective: Practical Art

This course is an introduction to the fundamental techniques, concepts, and vocabulary of game design. Students will design original prototypes and games, using iteration and playtesting best practices. Topics include formal elements of games, mechanics and dynamics, decision making, flow states and player psychology, the iterative process, and rapid prototyping. Students will use 2D development software to gain a better understanding of design principles. 

Literary Arts

Elective: Fine Art

Linking Poetry and Visual Arts – By linking poetry and the visual arts, students recognize that writers often gain inspiration from other art forms, and often these forms link closely together.  Students will study a variety of modern poetry that effectively connects to visual art.  Students will develop skills in observation, description, and analysis.  Students will perform their work in a poetry reading venue.  

From the Page to the Stage – After a unit on play production, students will manage select short stories by converting them to script.  This process will begin with reading aloud and silent reading periods, followed by collaboration on script development and story production. Emphasis will be made on the synthesis of stories, collaboration, and publishing.

Performing Theatre

Elective: Fine Art

In this first course for the Performing Arts pathway, students examine how music, dance and theatre disciplines connect to create a production. They compare and contrast different genre, social contexts, and cultural aspects of dance, music and theatre from early Greek to present day. They learn the role of stagecraft, including new and emerging technology. 

Principles of Food

Elective: Practical Art

What could be more fun than preparing and eating delicious and healthy foods in school?  In this class, students will explore the vast world of nutrition and wellness, using technology to evaluate their own personal nutritional and activity needs. In addition to food safety and kitchen safety, students will plan, create and evaluate (eat!) a variety of foods in small lab groups.  Good attendance is necessary for students to be able to safely participate in food labs.  Students will also participate in a food-based community service project through FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America).  Community service projects could range from a collection of canned foods to preparing meals for others, but all will benefit families in the Anthony Wayne School District.

STEM Connect

Elective: Practical Art

STEM Connect is designed to integrate scientific principles and new technologies to the animal and plant industries. Students will learn through hands-on activities the basics of food science, natural resources management, animal science & management, plant & horticultural science, power technology, and biotechnology. Leadership will be emphasized as students develop skills in parliamentary procedure, committee work, communication, public speaking, interpersonal skills, and teamwork.

FFA participation is required as an extension of the classroom learning to provide students with leadership, scholarship, and competitive activity opportunities. This is counted as a part of the classroom grade and can be fulfilled by attending a limited number of FFA meetings, participating in competitions, and participating in community service activities, as chosen by the student.

STEM in Society

Elective: Practical Art

This course will engage students in a variety of STEM-based opportunities focused on a problem or need observed in society. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project, independently or as a group, and be guided through this process through the curricular model of project-based learning (PBL). Students will engage in hands-on experimentation through the design process and the construction of models and prototypes.  Based on a student’s desired path they will have the chance to work with computers, 3D printers, hand tools, power tools, and woodworking machines.  Empathy is at the root of this course while engaging students in critical thinking, communication & collaboration, adaptability & flexibility, and a learner’s mindset. 

Textiles and Interior Design

Elective: Practical Art

Do you like to watch HGTV?  Would you like to evaluate the important design aspects that make the outside of buildings (architecture) or the inside of homes (interiors) attractive?  Would you like to learn to make something for your home or room?  This course will explore a wide range of topics relating to the various aspects of architectural and interior design as well as textile (fabric) design.  Students will have the opportunity to work in teams or as individuals to complete original projects for around their own home as well as a “Recycle and Redesign” group project. Students will also participate in a design-related service project through FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America). 

French I

This is a novice-level course designed to introduce students to basic elements of the French language and culture. Students will learn everyday communicative vocabulary as well as the sound system, structure, and basic grammatical concepts.  Information about daily life in France and other French-speaking countries (concentrating on Québec/Canada) is integrated thematically throughout the course.  Some specific themes covered will be personal ID, descriptive adjectives, family, school, likes & dislikes, and sports & games.  The study of French holidays also plays a big part of the cultural aspect of the curriculum through readings, videos, projects, and food days. Students will develop their proficiency using the 3 modes of communication: interpretive (listening and reading skills), interpersonal (speaking and writing skills), and presentational (speaking and writing skills). Authentic language and cultural materials will periodically be used, as well as cultural comparisons between the US and francophone countries, to allow students to integrate their learning into day-to-day life.

German I

This is a novice-level course designed to introduce students to the basic elements of the German language and culture. Students will learn basic vocabulary, structures, pronunciation, as well as information about the German-speaking countries.  Students will develop skills in all modes of communication: interpretive (listening and reading skills), interpersonal (speaking and writing skills), and presentational (speaking and writing skills). The materials used are created by Germans for foreigners learning German; thus, they are authentic and relevant to the age group.

Spanish I

This is a novice-level course that introduces the beginning student to the Spanish language and culture, and focuses on the four key areas of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students master common vocabulary terms and phrases on topics such as self/personal identity, school, home and family, food, sports, health and wellbeing, vacation, hobbies, and shopping.  Students will also learn to comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns.  By the end of the course, students should be able to initiate and continue simple conversations on familiar topics. Throughout the course, students will compare cultural practices and perspectives between the United States and many other Spanish-speaking countries.  Students will also learn about, and engage in, aspects of a variety of holidays celebrated throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Students' proficiency in the Spanish language will grow in each of the three modes of communication: interpersonal (person-to-person), interpretive (receptive language including listening and reading skills), and presentational (productive language including speaking and writing skills).