Spanish 1
M/F/W, 6th-8th Grade, Year-long
In this yearlong elective students will learn to understand, read, write, and speak basic Spanish. Students will gain the vocabulary and confidence to have a basic conversation with Spanish speakers. We will also explore art, music, customs, celebrations, and foods from Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Audiovisual presentations will be completed each quarter.
Spanish 2
M/W/F, 7th-8th Grade, Year-long
Prerequisite: Spanish 1 or Spanish fluency. In this yearlong elective students will build on skills developed in Spanish 1. We will sharpen conversation skills, gain reading ability, and gain understanding of written and audiovisual materials. Audiovisual presentations will be completed each quarter. We will keep exploring cultures, histories, celebrations, and foods from Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
Blue Band
0 Period (7:30-8:10am)
M/T/W/TH, 6th-8th Grade, Year-long
This year-long elective is offered to students who have had beginning instruction on a band instrument and obtained the approval of the director. Students will expand their repertoire of band music as they meet three times a week with the full band. The Blue Band will perform at various events throughout the school year, in addition to the Winter and Spring Concerts. Students must supply their own instruments. All music will be provided. Students playing in Blue Band will still choose additional afternoon electives.
Red Band
M/W/F, 5th-8th Grade, Year-long
This year-long elective will meet once a week during the first quarter, then one to two times per week as the year progresses. Learn to play your choice of flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. Junior High students in Red Band will choose to join the 3D Sculpture Art Studio, Poetry, or Study Hall on days when they are not participating in the band. No experience necessary. The Red Band will perform at both the Winter and Spring Concerts. Students must supply their own instruments. Please contact Mrs. Rice before obtaining an instrument! All music will be provided.
InstaNews (with Ms. Bae)
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Year-long
InstaNews is an elective where students will be combining journalism, social media, and film/web design. In this course, students will report on various school activities and articles of interest through Instagram and the Eagle’s Eye news site. Students will also be in charge of filming and producing “The Eagle’s Eye” weekly news program that will be shown in each homeroom. Students will develop their skills in writing, editing, photography, design, publishing, and film. In the Spring, students will also be in charge of creating the school yearbook.
Modern Calligraphy
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1
Who needs a computer to make a legible sign? This semester-long elective is designed to help students master the fundamentals of penmanship, as well as learn how to write in a variety of other lettering styles to create greeting cards, posters, and various signs. This fun, hands-on elective is for anyone wanting to express their artistic creativity and design for others to enjoy!
Puzzles & Games
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 2
This semester-long elective is designed to enhance the concentration, memory, and strategy skills of junior high students in an electronic-free zone! Students will participate in a variety of puzzles (jigsaw, brainteasers, crossword, and logic), board games (Monopoly, Chess, and Life), card games (Uno, Speed, and Skip-Bo), and understand the strategy behind popular game shows on television. In the end, students will create their own board games for their peers and others to play!
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Semester 1
In this semester-long elective, students will get hands-on experience with coding. Students will create games, use a 3D printer, and create apps for the Android platform.
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Semester 2
Prerequisite: App & Game Development. In this semester-long elective, students will build on lessons from App & Game Development to learn the Swift coding language, create iPad apps, and build programmable machines. Students will focus on using Arduino microcontrollers to create robots, machines, and inventions.
Poetry
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Semester 1 or 2
This semester-long elective explores different types of poetry including reading, performing, writing, and interpretation. Students will have the opportunity to investigate poems from a variety of authors as well as create their own works. There will be both collaborative as well as individual activities such as reading works designed for more than one “voice” and writing with others to convey a central idea in a particular style. This is a fun way to explore a new way of self-expression while continuing to hone writing skills and develop new ways of thinking about literature.
Origami
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1 or 2
This semester-long elective provides a fun way to explore the beautiful and intricate world of Japanese origami. Students will learn how to interpret instructions and practice precise techniques to create a variety of forms and creations. Beginning with the basic forms, students will build upon these to create more intricate and elaborate designs; some examples may include stars, fish, butterflies, camels, monkeys, and cranes.
InstaNews (with Mr. Hansen)
See Mr. Hansen's Description
Tricks & Illusions
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1
This semester-long elective will involve learning fun, mind-blowing tricks using cards and everyday objects. Watch jaws drop as you perform these wonderful illusions using simple, step-by-step instructions. We will start with simple and easy tricks and work our way up to more advanced illusions as you gain confidence in basic skills. Improve your performance skills and wow all your friends and family! We will also be learning the distinction between magic/sorcery that is not from God, but the use of fun tricks and illusions anyone can do for the purpose of education, entertainment, and even ministry. Students will learn ways to teach biblical truths, stories, and the gospel using the skills they learn.
Young Chefs
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 2
Ever wondered how ketchup is made? How do you bake the most-awesome-ever cheese crackers? Can you really make homemade butter in 10 minutes? This elective will be based on America’s Test Kitchen's best-selling series of complete cookbooks for young chefs going back to the basics to make many of today’s store-bought staples from scratch. Easy recipes ranging from pancake mix to homemade sriracha sauce will make these middle schoolers pros in the kitchen. The class will also include recipes for breakfast, snacks and beverages, dinners, desserts, and more! This elective has a maximum of 10 students.
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Semester 1 & 2
Students will learn to create 3D sculptures while focusing on the elements and principles of design. Materials utilized to construct sculptures consist of paper, wire, recyclables, cardboard, and clay (hand building). Emphasis is placed upon the student’s ability to conceive three-dimensional forms and execute them skillfully in space. This elective has a maximum of 10 students.
Altered Books
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1 & 2
This elective takes an old book and gives it new life as a personalized piece of art. The process of altering can involve cutting, painting, pasting, folding, stitching, sewing, beading, stamping, decoupaging, and much more. This elective has a maximum of 10 students.
Study Hall
M/W/F, 6th-8th Grade, Semester 1 & 2
This elective will be available for students who seek a quiet work environment and additional time to work on their class assignments and study for upcoming tests and quizzes. Students will be graded based on coming to class prepared with all materials, not distracting others, and being on task throughout the class.
Public Speaking
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1 & 2
This course is designed to introduce students to public speaking and rhetoric. Consecutive lessons work through the alphabet as students develop basic communication skills (i.e., “A is for Articulation; B is for Breath control, C is for Conversation…”) Additional drills, games, and exercises will help students build confidence while creating rapport with an audience. Students will deliver recitations and present more than a dozen speeches throughout the course.
CEO Jedi Academy
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Year-long
This is a powerful business startup and entrepreneur technology course that introduces students to the principles of business startup culture and the resources available to start and grow a successful company. This yearlong elective facilitates student competence in presentation design, creative communication, analytical problem solving and teaches students to use advanced technology tools to collaborate, effectively research, and become an empowered learner.
Study Hall
T/TH, 7th-8th Grade, Semester 1 & 2
This elective will be available for students who seek a quiet work environment and additional time to work on their class assignments and study for upcoming tests and quizzes. Students will be graded based on coming to class prepared with all materials, not distracting others, and being on task throughout the class.