Middle School Courses

ENGLISH 7

ADVANCED ENGLISH 7

ENGLISH 8

ADVANCED ENGLISH 8

WORLD HISTORY 7

ADVANCED WORLD HISTORY 7

US HISTORY 8

ADVANCED US HISTORY 8

MATH 7

MATH 8

INTEGRATED MATH 1 (ACCELERATED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS)

INTEGRATED SCIENCE 7

ADVANCED SCIENCE 7

INTEGRATED SCIENCE 8

ADVANCED SCIENCE 8

PE 7

PE 8

BAND – BEGINNING (Year)

This course is designed for 7^th and 8^th grade students who wish to learn to play a musical instrument. Students will learn technical instruction in the theoretical aspects of written music. Public performances are part of this course and are required for credit.

BAND – INTERMEDIATE (Year) (Application & summer band camp required)

This course is designed for students with previous experience playing a musical instrument. Students receive instruction about music theory and learn about historical and cultural influences of music. Public performances are part of this course and required for credit.

BEGINNING GUITAR (Year)

This is an introductory course to playing a guitar. Participating students should have access to a guitar so that they may practice at home and school. No prior knowledge required, however a student who currently plays a guitar is welcome. Daily practices are required.

CHORUS – BOYS (Year)

This all-boys course is designed to introduce and develop basic singing techniques, sight-reading skills and basic music theory. Students will sing a wide range of music - from classical to pop - and learn music through group activities and small ensembles. Students will be coached on solo/small group singing techniques, such as microphone and performance techniques. There are at least four major concerts a year, and attendance is required at all concerts. Students will also participate in performances at competitions, assemblies, festivals, and theme parks.

CHORUS – GIRLS (Year)

This all-girls course is designed to introduce and develop basic singing techniques, sight-reading skills and basic music theory. Students will sing a wide range of music - from classical to pop - and learn music through group activities and small ensembles. Students will be coached on solo/small group singing techniques, such as microphone and performance techniques. There are at least four major concerts a year, and attendance is required at all concerts. Students will also participate in performances at competitions, assemblies, festivals, and theme parks.

JUNIOR VOCAL ENSEMBLE – 7/8 (Year) (Application required)

(Audition required. Elementary Ensemble and Advanced Chorus Singers are welcomed)

This course is for advanced choral students. This mixed (boys and girls) chorus is designed for advanced choral students. Students will learn advanced music theory concepts and sing 3-part harmony songs in many different styles. Students will actively engage in learning music through technology driven lessons, group activities, and performances. Students will be coached on solo/small group singing performance techniques and microphone techniques. There are several major performances a year, and attendance is required. Students will also participate in performances at competitions, assemblies, festivals, and theme parks.

THEATER ARTS 7/8

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to theater arts. Students will student the basics of theater arts and learn about different areas of theater. This may include acting techniques, set design, costumes.

ART 7/8

The purpose of this course is to provide experiences that help students become artistically literate, both in creating and in responding to art. Students will use a variety of materials and techniques in drawing, painting, pen and ink, pencil sketch, watercolor and learn about the history of art.

GRAPHICS

This semester course is designed to provide students with an introduction to Graphic Design, Digital Graphics & Print Technology. Students will be introduced to the elements & principles of design, color theory, typography, creative Idea generation, pencil layout, storyboards, introduction & development of animation, multicultural advertising/marketing, digital photography, and career/college opportunities. Students will be introduced to Graphic Art design & production techniques using Adobe Photoshop for class projects. Students will experience Screen Printing technology creating and printing original designs for patches & T-shirts. Assignments will require students to draw upon basic academic skills in mathematics, language arts and science to successfully complete assigned projects. Class curriculum follows Career Technical Education standards and guidelines.

HOME ARTS/HOSPITALITY

This course will introduce students to a variety of experiences within the field of home economics to include: nutrition, food selection, clothing repair and personal skills for daily living.

MUSIC APPRECIATION

This course is designed as an introduction to the history of music and its origins. Students will have the opportunity to hear and learn about music from the era of ragtime to the current days of rap. Students will participate in individual and group projects covering the current music scene, as well as the life and times of the musicians.

WOOD FUNDAMENTALS/CONSTRUCTION & MANUFACTURING DESIGN

Students learn to use an array of tools and use machinery to create different objects to develop their woodworking skills.

INTRO TO STAGE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Students enrolled in this class will be introduced to theater production with an emphasis on technical elements. Students will construct sets and scenery, provide lighting, and participate in sound and stage management.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDY SKILLS (for 7^th grade Only)

This course would provide students with the opportunity to learn organizational skills and test taking strategies. Students will learn how to set short and long term goals so that they may become lifelong learners. Students will also learn how to successfully manage the transition from elementary school as they move into middle school.

BANNER/FLAG & DRILL TEAM (Year) (Application & summer band camp required)

Banner/Flag and Drill Team develops dance and flag skills needed to complement the intermediate middle school marching band. Students will perform at a level that reflects understanding of their movement and artistic abilities. Public performances are required as part of course credit. Drill Team is a 7^th period course.

LEADERSHIP/ASB (Year) (By application/interview only)

Students will be involved in the planning and presenting of middle school activities. They will learn organization and leadership skills necessary in implementing quality events. Students will gain hands-on experience in organizing dances, assemblies, fundraisers, and service projects.

YEARBOOK (Year) (By application/interview only)

Yearbook is a year-long elective where students work with the advisor (teacher) to capture the history of Bellflower Middle School and put together a publication of the year’s activities and events. In addition to assisting the yearbook advisor with the publication of the yearbook, students are also responsible for assisting with advertising the yearbook and fundraising throughout the school year. Students will learn a variety of skills that will help them to complete yearbook tasks and responsibilities throughout the school-year: photography skills; basic Photoshop/editing skills; basic graphic design; proofing and editing finished products; Microsoft Office programs; Google Drive; fundraising; advertisement.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY YEAR 1 – ROBOTICS AND MODELING (Year)

(2.0 GPA required)

This class is for students that are interested in building, creating and critical thinking. Students will learn the engineering process through a series of fun and interesting projects. The first semester students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They will utilize math and engineering skills to complete a series of project based activities. The second semester students will students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY YEAR 2- GREEN ARCHITECTURE & ROBOTICS (Year) (Successful Completion of PLTW YEAR 1: DM/AR)

This is the second year of Project Lead the Way and is for students that have completed Robotics and Modeling. In this unit, 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’s® 3D architectural design software. Students will also be given the opportunity to create their own Robotic designs to solve a series of tasks based on criteria and constraints, successful designs have a possibility of being entered in local robotics competitions.

For 8^th grade students only.

INTRO TO AUTO/TRANSPORTATION & RENEWABLE ENERGY

This course will provide students with basic information on automotive technology knowledge and/or fuel cell cars, solar energy and aquaponics.

SPANISH 1 (for 8^th Grade Only)

This course introduces students to the Spanish language and its culture. Students learn to speak Spanish in real life situations. They will develop vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension of the spoken language, as well as learn about geography, history, traditions, and daily life. Students who successfully complete Spanish 1 in the 8^th grade will enter high school having completed Spanish 1 and will be able to enroll in Spanish 2 in 9^th grade.

SPANISH 1/SPANISH SPEAKERS – (for 8^th Grade Only)

This course introduces students to the Spanish language and its culture. Students learn to speak Spanish in real life situations. They will develop vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension of the spoken language, as well as learn about geography, history, traditions, and daily life. Students who successfully complete Spanish 1/Spanish Speakers 1 will enter high school having completed Spanish Speakers 1 and will be able to enroll in Spanish 2 in 9^th grade.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (Year)

This course is for all EL students who have not yet been reclassified. There are 4 district levels: newcomer, beginning, intermediate, and advanced. In this course, students focus on developing their English language skills in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Comprehension.

MATH SUPPORT & ENRICHMENT (Year)

This course is for any student who has yet to master basic math facts and needs more support to develop their skills in order to be successful in grade level math standards. Placement is based upon teacher recommendation.