Electives

Students with prior visual art experience may continue with Level 3 in the visual art sequence. In Middle School Art Level 3, students will have the opportunity to refine their skills and develop their personal artistic style while exploring how INFLUENCE can be communicated through art. Students will develop a portfolio of work demonstrating proficiency in working with traditional 2D and 3D studio media and techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and crafts to create artworks. 

Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) programs focus on processes and skills that enhance individual, family, and societal well-being. Programs reflect the National Standards for FACS Education and integrate math, science, English, and social studies. A project-based curriculum encourages students to investigate and solve authentic problems. Students learn to use communication and critical-thinking skills as well as current technologies to make informed decisions

Co-Requisite Course: Algebra 1A/1B or Honors Geometry A/B.  

Introduction to Engineering Design emphasizes the development of a design Students use computer software to produce analyze and evaluate models of projects solutions They study the design concepts of form and function and then use state-of-the-art technology to translate conceptual design into reproducible products.

This course is ONE of the courses for the Project Lead the Way (PTLW) Engineering Program that may be completed through courses taken at either Watkins Mill High School or Seneca Valley High School.

The PLTW engineering program allows students to apply engineering, science, math and technology to solve complex, open ended problems in a real-world context. Students focus on the process of defining and solving problems, not on getting the "right" answer. They learn how to apply STEM knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to make the world a better place through innovation.

Link to Sample Course Plan for Engineering Project Lead the Way

Students also have the opportunity to earn 3 college credits through the Rochester Institute of Technology.  To qualify for college credit, a student must successfully do the following:

• a minimum class average of 85%

• meet the minimum score for your PLTW course on the EoC exam. 

Link to Project Lead the Way Information 

Students develop and refine their technical skills in order to perform music at the Grade 3 Level of difficulty. Emphasis is placed on developing formal rehearsal decorum, following a conductor and developing pitch and rhythmic security in preparation for performing an independent part in the traditional band ensemble. Students learn the social, cultural, and intellectual influences reflected in the musical works they are studying and discuss performance styles and musical forms of corresponding historical periods. The study of music theory includes performance and recognition of major scales, diatonic and chromatic intervals, and simple melodic dictation. The critical listening skills that are developed as a result of preparation for instrumental performance are used to help the student formulate criteria for effectively evaluating his/her own performance as well as the performance of others. Students in the band program will present a public performance twice during the year.

Students distinguish between abstract and programmatic music and learn and discuss the social, intellectual, and historical influences on each. Students develop and refine their technical skills in order to perform music at the Grade 2 to Grade 3 Level of difficulty. In addition, students perform and historically categorize transcriptions of a variety of composers. This band or orchestra represents middle schools at public performances.