Rising 7th Grade Enrichment Course Selection for 2024/25                                                         

Semester Courses

• Career Explorations- is designed to provide opportunities for students to explore career opportunities and become aware of the importance of basic technology, work ethics, communication skills, the value of work, leadership skills, and basic employability skills. Students will begin investigating career paths to match their interests and abilities, which builds the foundation for future course selection and postsecondary options. 

• Leadership-training helps students learn how to become self-reliant, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, do their homework, prioritize their time, manage their emotions, be considerate of others, express their viewpoint persuasively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences, and live a balanced life. The process helps students develop the skills and self-confidence they need to lead their lives and succeed in school and beyond.

• Theatre- Produce; respond to productions; vocal, kinesthetic, emotional, analytical, and intellectual elements; dramatic structure; acting process; collaborative nature of a theatrical production and role of production staff; theatre history; theatre vocabulary; aesthetics; evaluating artistic choices

• Visual Arts- Through creating, producing and responding students will compare and relate the elements of art and principles of design by utilizing a variety of traditional media, digital media and multimedia projects. Emphasis will be placed on independent work and investigation through projects of personal interest. Students will explore techniques, styles, media, methods and procedures for creating works of visual arts. Students will demonstrate higher technical proficiency while still developing self-confidence and refining motor skills. With guidance students will develop and apply criteria to works of art to make connections and understand historical relevance, contemporary issues, and self-reflection to their work and the work of others. This course is taught by a certified visual arts teacher.

Full Year Courses:

• Band: The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of music and the basic skills required to play an instrument.  The more advanced students will continue to perfect skills while learning new and more challenging aspects of music and music performance.  There is a greater emphasis placed on ensemble performance at this level.  Healthy competition is a larger part of this class. 

• Digital Production:  (Application Only) Assisting in production and maintenance of school publications including the Trojan News Network morning broadcast, Yearbook, newspaper, E-papers, website maintenance, and newsletter.

• Computer Science Discoveries: Computer Science enables students to use cognitive and technical skills responsibly in finding, evaluating, creating, and communicating information. Standards will also introduce students to the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including computer science principles, hardware and software design, applications, networks, and societal impacts, so that students will be fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in college and careers.

• Peer Helper: Application required. The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation provides training, funding, and support for programs in all Baldwin County Public schools. Peer Helpers is built on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework in which the key principles include building on the strengths of young people, identifying risky behaviors early, and being proactive in addressing them. This framework helps to promote and engage young people, while instilling leadership qualities. Peer Helpers are students that are trained to confidentially listen to their classmates and participate in school/community service projects. Peer Helpers participate in welcoming new students, leading kindness (anti-bullying) campaigns, presenting character education, and tutoring students, mentor students, present bullying prevention and intervention information, and mediate disputes between fellow students. 

Rising 8th Grade Enrichment Course Selection for 2024/25                                                          

Semester Courses:

• Career Explorations- is designed to provide opportunities for students to explore career opportunities and become aware of the importance of basic technology, work ethics, communication skills, the value of work, leadership skills, and basic employability skills. Students will begin investigating career paths to match their interests and abilities, which builds the foundation for future course selection and postsecondary options. 

• Creative Writing-offers the emerging writer a framework through which he/she can develop his/her literary talents. The course will guide the student through an exploration of different literary genres and offer a plethora of activities that will result in the practice of the craft of writing through the creation of both fiction and non-fiction writing samples. Writing assignments are age appropriate for middle school students.

• Leadership-students learn how to become self-reliant, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, do their homework, prioritize their time, manage their emotions, be considerate of others, express their viewpoint persuasively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences, and live a balanced life. The process helps students develop the skills and self-confidence they need to lead their lives and succeed in school and beyond. Study Skills curriculum is embedded in this course in which students learn how to effectively identify specific strengths and weaknesses, set goals, establish priorities, manage time, organize notebooks papers and other spaces, speak, listen and writing effectively, how to work with teachers and peers, read for understanding, note taking strategies, prepare for presentations and track long term goals.

• Teen Connections students explore personal development; the impact of values, goals, decision making, and time management; conflict resolution; identifying family structures; member’s roles and responsibilities; changes and challenges faced throughout the family life cycle; health, wellness, and a healthy appearance; money management and teen consumer decisions; teen clothing decisions; stages of child development; first aid techniques; organizing and maintaining teen living space; home safety; technology; and skills needed for workplace success.

• Theatre- Produce; respond to productions; vocal, kinesthetic, emotional, analytical, and intellectual elements; dramatic structure; acting process; collaborative nature of a theatrical production and role of production staff; theatre history; theatre vocabulary; aesthetics; evaluating artistic choices

• Library Student Aide: Application required. Standards and duties expected of Student Aides include: greet guests politely and offer assistance, assist with errands,  alphabetizing and shelving books, keeping the library clean and uncluttered, learn to wrap hardback books, help decorate the library when needed for holidays, other duties as requested by administration or library staff.

• Office Student Aide: Application required. Standards and duties expected of Student Aides include: Greet guests politely and direct them to sign in; talking only when engaged or when necessary; assist with errands; delivering materials; prepare, construct and post bulletin boards & hall displays; alphabetizing and filing non-confidential materials; maintaining order of materials; keep the office area clean and uncluttered; other duties as requested by administration or office staff.

Full Year Courses:

• Band: The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of music and the basic skills required to play an instrument.  The more advanced students will continue to perfect skills while learning new and more challenging aspects of music and music performance.  Emphasis placed on ensemble performance at this level and healthy competition is a larger part of this class. 

• Computer Science Discoveries: Enables students to use cognitive and technical skills responsibly in finding, evaluating, creating, and communicating information. Standards will also introduce students to the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including computer science principles, hardware and software design, applications, networks, and societal impacts, so that students will be fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in college and careers.

• Digital Production: Application required. Assisting in production and maintenance of school publications including the Trojan News Network morning broadcast, Yearbook, newspaper, E-papers, website maintenance, and newsletter.

• Peer Helper: Application required. The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation provides training, funding, and support for programs in all Baldwin County Public schools. Peer Helpers is built on the Positive Youth Development framework in which the principles include building on the strengths of young people, identifying risky behaviors early, and being proactive in addressing them, promoting and engaging young people, and instilling leadership qualities. Peer Helpers are students that are trained to confidentially listen to their classmates and participate in school/community service projects. Peer Helpers participate in welcoming new students, leading kindness (anti-bullying) campaigns, presenting character education, and tutoring students, mentor students, present bullying prevention and intervention information, and mediate disputes between fellow students. 

• Advanced Art:  Application required. Through creating, producing and responding students will assess and connect the elements of art and principles of design by utilizing a variety of traditional media, digital media and multimedia projects. Independent work and investigation through projects of personal interest will allow students to demonstrate original works that communicate complex interpretations. Students will explore techniques, styles, media, methods and procedures for creating works of visual arts. Students will demonstrate higher technical proficiency while still developing self-confidence and refining motor skills. Students will develop and apply criteria to works of art to make connections and understand historical relevance, contemporary issues, and self-reflection to their work and the work of others that relates to global interest and social commentary with personal voice.

Applications