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Students will choose the equivalent of three full year classes, they can be any combination of full year and semester classes.
Click on the subject area below to read each class description. Be sure to click the link at the end of each description to watch helpful videos about many of our Choice (elective) classes.
Computer, Technology & Engineering Classes
Computer, Technology & Engineering Classes
Coding 1 (semester)
In this introductory course, students will explore coding through a variety of challenges including, but not limited to, programming video games, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Students will be exposed to scripted coding languages and will begin developing foundational computer science skills. This course is offered to seventh and eighth graders and may only be taken once.
Digital Storytelling (semester)
Digital storytelling is an innovative way to share your stories with the world using a combination of photos, videos, and words. In this class, you will learn how to create digital stories that are engaging and captivating, using the right words and visuals to convey your message.
You will be introduced to photography and videography, learning to capture moments that tell a story and evoke emotions. This course is offered to seventh and eighth graders and may only be taken once.
Engineering: Automation & Robotics (semester)
Design, Build, and Program a Robot! Students use tools such as the engineering design process, an engineering notebook, and VEX Robotics® programming software to invent and innovate. Learn how creative thinking and problem solving can change your world! Automation and Robotics (AR) allows students to trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms. This course is being offered in partnership with Project Lead the Way. This class may only be taken one time in 7th or 8th grade. For a video overview, click here
Medical Detectives (semester)
In the Medical Detectives course, students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction. This course is offered to seventh and eighth graders and may only be taken once.
Family & Consumer Science
Family & Consumer Science
Basic FACS (semester)
This class is an exploratory instructional program designed to teach basic skills in food preparation, babysitting skills and safety, hand sewing and machine sewing. Laboratory experiences, hands-on activities, and the use of technology in each area of study will emphasize the application of life skills. Individual sewing projects made by hand and by machine will be completed. Students working in small groups will learn food preparation, safety and how to follow a recipe. This class is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. This course is offered to seventh and eighth graders and may only be taken once. For a video overview, click here
Music Classes
Music Classes
Intro to Band (fall semester only)
No prior experience necessary. Intro to Band is made up of seventh grade students who have not yet had instrumental playing experience or students who would benefit having added instruction before moving to 7th Grade Band. The pace of the curriculum moves quickly in order to allow students to graduate to 7th grade band at semester, so ample practice time is required outside of school. The student will learn the proper assembly and care for their instrument, as well as how to play with proper technique and sound on one of these listed instruments only: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Baritone, and Tuba. When the student has mastered the required competencies and receives the approval of the instructor, they will immediately be placed into the Concert Band as a full member. Students who do not meet the performance criteria by the end of the semester will be required to schedule another elective for the second semester. For a video overview, click here
7th Grade Band (full year) Prerequisite: 1 year instrumental experience required
Concert Band is made up of seventh grade students with at least one year of woodwind, brass, or percussion instrumental experience. Members of this ensemble are exposed to the elements needed for the production of a quality band sound as well as advanced technical skills. Students will perform as a full ensemble as well as have the opportunity to develop solo and small ensemble skills and participate in festivals and clinics. For a video overview, click here
7th Grade Orchestra (full year) Prerequisite: 1 year instrumental experience required
7th Grade Orchestra is made up of string players with at least one year of experience who wish to study music through performance, increase their individual performance skills, and participate in a large performing group. Musical skills learned in previous years are refined and new skills are introduced. Orchestra is a performance class which presents several concerts and participates in music festivals and clinics.
Chamber Orchestra (full year) Prerequisite: by audition
Chamber Orchestra is an advanced orchestra for students in 7th and 8th grade who have demonstrated great musical skill and ability by successfully passing an entrance audition for the class. The audition process will take place during spring semester for the following school year. Chamber Orchestra is a performance class that presents several concerts and participates in music festivals and clinics each year.
Concert Choir (full year)
Concert Choir is an intermediate vocal music ensemble for students who have a passion for singing and a desire to improve their skills. Members of the Concert Choir will increase their existing knowledge of music theory, sight-singing, and choral performance skills. Students will perform a wide variety of music in at least two evening concerts during the year. All Concert Choir students will audition for the WMS Chamber Choir in January for the following school year. Students in Concert Choir will have the opportunity to participate in Day of Choirs (our elementary school tour) in the fall and a music festival (overnight trip) in the spring. For a video overview, click here. For a direct link to our Choir department webpage, click here.
Theatre Classes
Theatre Classes
Drama (semester)
This course is designed for students who are interested in theatre and may or may not have previous theatrical experience. This class is appropriate for students who thrive in a class with a quick pace and large variety of activities. Topics include an introduction to the stage itself, basic stage voice, movement, and character creation and more. During this course, students will be introduced to the art of acting in order to develop an appreciation of the art and an understanding of how various acting techniques may be used to heighten one's awareness and as a tool for self-realization. For a video overview, click here
Musical Theatre (semester)
Musical Theatre is designed to build upon the acting, singing, movement, and technical skills introduced in the 6th Grade Theatre Works classes. 7th and 8th grade students will work in a collaborative setting toward the presentation and performance of a musical. Four phases of the theatrical process will be taught (Company skills, Auditions, Rehearsal, and Performance). For a video overview, click here
This class includes a required a public performance at the end of the term. All class members will be cast in the show.
Intro to Technical Theatre (semester)
This semester-long course is designed for students interested in exploring the technical side of theatre production. The curriculum focuses on the key design elements that bring a production to life, including concept development, scenic design, lighting, costumes, makeup, and more. Introduction to Technical Theatre is a hands-on course that encourages students to be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and collaborative. Students will gain practical experience through various projects, with the opportunity to apply their skills to productions from the Wydown Theatre Company, whenever possible. This course is ideal for those who thrive in a creative, team-oriented environment and wish to learn the intricacies of theatrical design and production. For a video overview, click here
Intro to Speech & Debate (semester)
This course is designed for those students interested in building effective communications skills. Work will include mechanics of effective speaking, argumentation, effective questioning techniques, multimedia presentations, persuasion, and exploration of the impact of instant communication. In addition, issues such as self-concept and biased perceptions in our society will be studied, along with their impact on successful communication. For a video overview, click here
Visual Arts Classes
Visual Arts Classes
Visual Art 7 (semester)
Explore various drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and sculpture media in this course. Students will practice creative problem solving skills, use their voice through choice art where they are encouraged to investigate ideas of their choosing, and explore techniques of their interest. We will learn about the art world at large and how artists engage conversation around identity, society, and more. The class will include goal setting and project planning, which is a skill that will serve students well in all areas of life. Students completing this class often leave with an overwhelming urge to create art all the time and will likely want to enroll in more art classes in eighth grade!
Fiber Art (semester)
This is the ultimate “hands on” class! Depending on which cycle of the course, fiber artists will learn to work with various techniques and media such as: embroidery, tie-dye, soft sculpture building techniques, needle felting, fabric collage, batik, paper-mache, weaving, crochet, printmaking, photo transfers, and more. Student voice and choice is encouraged and valued; students have a lot of choice in the ideas they choose to express in their art as we follow a choice-based art teaching model. This course cultivates an appreciation for artists and cultures from all over the world. Students learn how artists have taken this medium to express important ideas about identity, society, and culture and how they can do the same within their own artwork. Fiber Art is available to 7th and 8th grade students. Each year will be a different set of projects so students can take the class two years in a row and have a different experience.
World Languages
World Languages
French 7 (full year) Prerequisite: French 6 at Wydown or placement test and teacher approval.
In this continuation of 6th-grade French, students build on the basics from the previous year, expanding their ability to communicate in everyday situations. Throughout the course, students will learn to navigate key cultural and practical topics such as ordering food at a French restaurant, shopping, and discussing household chores and rooms in the house. They'll also examine how to travel around town, identify important locations, and book a hotel—all while developing essential conversational skills. Grammar concepts such as regular and irregular verbs in the present and past tense, will be reinforced through speaking, listening, and writing exercises. In addition to language learning, students will explore French culture by studying a specific region of France throughout the year. Through research, projects, and presentations, they will discover the unique traditions, cuisine, landmarks, and history of their chosen region, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity of French culture.
Spanish 7 (full year) Prerequisite: Spanish 6 at Wydown or placement test and teacher approval.
The Spanish 7 curriculum is a continuation of the sixth grade Spanish program. Students may continue their study of Spanish in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
The focus will continue to be on common conversational topics as well as cultural concepts. In class, students will perform skits, complete projects and participate in other hands-on activities. An increasing emphasis will be placed on grammatical structures through conversation and writing. Topics of study will include a review unit, house and party planning, sports and health, and amusement parks, and planning and taking a vacation. Cultural components are taught throughout the year, focusing on Hispanics in the US, as well as the varying Spanish-speaking countries. We will read one novel in Spanish each semester as a class.
Chinese 7 (full year)
The Chinese curriculum at Wydown is designed as a two-year sequence beginning in the seventh grade and continuing through eighth grade. Successful completion combined with teacher recommendation would make a student eligible for Level II Chinese at Clayton High School.
Chinese 7 will introduce the students to the basic components of Mandarin Chinese through theme-based content and hands-on activities. Pinyin Romanization, simplified forms of Chinese characters, basic grammar patterns as well as functional everyday expressions will be taught within the living context of Chinese culture. Topics will start from self-introduction and develop to students' immediate surroundings such as school, family and daily life. Cultural components will be taught through movies, video clips, songs, crafts, festival celebrations and geographic context. The ultimate goal is to motivate students to become interested in and committed to the learning of Chinese language and culture.
Latin 7 (full year)
The Latin curriculum at Wydown is designed as a two-year sequence beginning in Seventh grade and continuing through eighth grade. Successful completion of 7th & 8th grade Latin combined with teacher recommendation would make a student eligible for Latin II at CHS.
Latin was the language of the ancient Romans. Not only has it left an influential literature, but it also has had far-reaching effects upon both English and the Romance Languages of Europe. The basic introductory Latin course allows students to begin learning classical Latin through the graded reading program. Students develop their reading skills through a gradual widening of vocabulary and sentence patterns in interesting stories about a Roman family. The stories are based meticulously upon Latin literary sources, Roman history and archaeology. Throughout the course, students study the connection of Latin words with English vocabulary. Additional readings, films, and discussions complement and enhance the readings. For a video overview, click here
Enrichment Classes
Enrichment Classes
Literacy Lab: Reading & Writing Workshop (one or two semesters, every grade level)
Literacy Lab is a workshop based class where students will set individual literacy goals AND have time to read and or write around topics/genres/authors of their choice while growing as a reader and writer.
That’s right! You can have a chance to read and write about topics of your choice in a variety of genres, like graphic novels, vlogs, songs, as well as more traditional genres such as mysteries, realistic fiction and memoir. Whether you LOVE to read and write or would LIKE to learn how to enjoy it more, Literacy Lab can provide that opportunity!
Students in this class should be able to work at some level of independence. As both readers and writers, you'll serve as a ""lit leader"" at WMS.
Da Vinci (semester)
Inspired by the famous thinker, Leonardo Da Vinci, this course challenges students to think divergently, examine topics from multiple perspectives, and hone their research and communication skills. Students will use their critical thinking and creativity skills to engage in teacher-directed investigations, independent research, design challenges, and other activities. Students will demonstrate their work in many ways, such as one-on-one interviews, small group discussions, and class presentations. Students will use a variety of resources to organize their information including Google Slides, Flip grid, Google Sites, and other platforms as appropriate.
Gifted
Gifted
Exploratorium (semester or year)
This class is designed for students in grades 6-8 who show signs of exceptional creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking in comparison to their chronological peers. The goal of Exploratorium is to provide students with elective opportunities to build their creative confidence and comfort with failure. The curriculum used in Exploratorium classes focuses on design thinking, creative confidence, and social-emotional learning. This course is only for students who have been Identified Gifted. This class is offered to all three grade levels for either a semester or year.
For a video overview, click here.
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