Exploratory Wheel*

XWG0003 EXPLORATORY WHEEL GR 6

The “wheel” is intended to allow students to explore various high interest topics in separate subject areas. The exploratory wheel provides variety and a range of courses in various disciplines, and helps to ease students’ transition into high school by introducing them to areas they may later want to explore more in depth. 6th graders selecting the Grade 6 Exploratory Wheel will receive 4 different quarterly electives from the following:

AERIAL DRONE COMPETITION (ADC)

Welcome to Aviation and Drone Competition. This is a quarter long introductory course in competitive drone competitions.  We will be learning the basics of aviation and skills for piloting/coding drones.  Focus will be on safety, teamwork, communication, coding, problem solving and piloting.  Students will learn about quadcopter design (drone), function, application of coding, piloting skills as well as earn their recreational piloting certificate (TRUST)

ART

This is a beginning art course for students to explore their creative interests.  Students will learn the basic techniques of coloring using colored pencils, markers and watercolors.  Learned techniques with be applied to various art projects for the quarter.

BUSINESS

In this exploratory wheel the students will be exploring the business career, financial literacy, and marketing. Through hands on activities and community partnerships, the students will learn important components of a business.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

In this exploratory wheel class students will learn the fundamentals of web development. This includes HTML, CSS, and ethical use of resources on the web. To demonstrate their understanding, students will create a multi-page website about their ideal career in computer science. This course is designed to prepare students for Computer Science Level I.

eSPORTS

eSports will introduce students to the growing field/business of eSports.  eSports does involve playing video games, but also immerses students in the entire ecosystem of the industry.  eSports will introduce a variety of abilities and competencies such as (and not limited to) gaming skills, physical training, nutrition, game design, shout casting, marketing, event managing and livestreaming.  eSports will incorporate activities such as, team strategy sessions, game skills practice, communication with local and national schools in the set up of practice games or competition, SEL lessons, daily reflections and tournaments.

HEALTHCARE CAREER EXPLORATION

This exploratory wheel class for sixth graders introduces students to various roles in the healthcare industry, such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and medical researchers. Through hands-on activities and guest speakers students learn about the importance of healthcare professionals and the diverse career paths available in the field. 

NATURAL RESOURCES and TOURISM (HOSPITALITY)

 Students who are in 6th grade will be enrolled in the NRTH pathway for one quarter only.  Students will have the opportunity to explore the pathway. He/she will receive a grade for wheel classes at the end of each quarter. 

The school’s vision is to empower, explore, excel together. This program will allow the students to have the tools, experience, and knowledge of these pathways. They will be able to register for one of these pathways during freshman year at JCHS. Collaboration and articulation will be done to align the middle school and high school for these electives. 

The concept of farm-to-table will be the vehicle that drives our program. Farm-to-table will allow us to grow and harvest vegetables from our gardens and use them in cooking dishes. Our culminating task will be a “Foodie Experience” in that we will invite our parents and friends to taste the fruits of labor at the end of the school year. 

Another key area of our program will be the aquaponic system; which will be utilized for our culminating task. We want students to experience sustainability firsthand and the numerous ways to grow our food. During this process, we will also incorporate the tourism component as well as the hospitality one. 

ROBOTICS

Robotics Wheel is a quarter long course for sixth graders that will focus on VEX IQ.  VEX IQ is based on plastic, snap-together pieces specifically designed to build robots. This class doesn’t require any prior knowledge or experience in robotics. You will learn the design process, build a group robot, drive the robot, and program the robot to complete tasks in the competition field for the current year.  

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Unlock your creative potential and master the art of storytelling in our Digital Media Classes — where imagination meets technology and your ideas come to life! Learn the skills to become a top YouTuber and or Social Media Influencer, and turn your passion into a thriving career! Please note the filmmaking process will be geared to the semester and year long classes in 7th, 8th and Advance Digital Media. In the Advance Digital Media Classes the students will use their skills in pod casting, film making, TV journalism and broadcasting to send positive messages through various digital media platforms; which may include film making competitions, contests and tournaments.  

The Grade 6 Exploratory Wheel Classes will be one quarter (9 weeks) and will focus on exploring basic digital media tools; including digital photography, framing a shot, compositions and elements of design that make a dynamic composition in photography and film, graphic design of infographics. In the Grade 6 Exploratory Wheel Classes students will explore prerequisite skills needed to participate in the art of filmmaking, broadcast, journalism, and learn how to become a positive social media influencer through the art of storytelling through a podcast, film and or TV broadcast. 

All classes will focus on exploring your creative potential, problem solving, critical thinking and working in teams and individually using digital tools to communicate ideas effectively and ethically in a digital age. 

WOODSHOP - Engineering Design and Modeling

This course is designed to address the Next Generation Science and Hawaii Content and Performance Standards for Engineering Design and Technology Education through the study of industrial technology. Learning experiences involve activities in one or more of the following systems of technology: communication, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and biotechnology and provide opportunities for creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and cooperative/collaborative learning with the tools and materials of the woodshop being the medium of instruction.