7th & 8th Grade Elective Catalog
2025-26
Thomas Russell Middle School
Embedded Files
Below are the electives that are offered for 7th and 8th grade students during the next school year at Thomas Russell Middle School. Please use this guide when selecting your top 3 choices. There is no guarantee you will be placed in the course of your choice. Some students will be placed in particular classes based on test scores and/or educational needs, or space availability.
If a course has an asterisk (*) by it, an application is REQUIRED to sign up for that class. The application link will be included below the class description. Courses selections and all applications are due Friday, April 11th to be considered.
***STUDENTS WILL SELECT THEIR TOP 3 ELECTIVE CHOICES AFTER THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRESENTATION AND CONSULTING WITH PARENTS ***
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Roberts (Russell School Counselor), at lroberts@musd.org.
Art Exploration
Want to learn how to draw, paint, and create three-dimensional art? Then the art room at Russel is the place for you! In this year-long elective, you’ll explore self-expression through a variety of materials, including oil pastels, watercolor, acrylic paints, papier-mâché, clay, and more.
One of our units will also take us to the exciting world of digital art! You’ll learn to create artwork using Procreate, a powerful digital painting app, while also exploring the connections between traditional and digital media.
This class is for everyone—whether you’re picking up a paintbrush (or stylus!) for the first time or already love making art.
For questions, please email: jnorris@musd.org
Quest
Quest for Success is a year-long elective with lessons in basic hand sewing skills, beginning cooking and baking skills, basic gardening, the importance of Recycling for a better world, awareness of the deaf culture and an introduction to sign language. Other areas that may be covered, but not limited to, are improving study habit skills, interpersonal relationships and improving higher thinking skills. (Nuts, eggs and wheat products are used in this class.)
For questions, please email Mrs. Knitter at: Bknitter@musd.org
Chorus
No experience required. Any student wanting to sing is able to join. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day. Use of the voice, music fundamentals, ukulele, and various styles of music are studied.
You must fill out this form to be placed in Chorus:
For questions, please email Mrs. Sievert at: lsievert@musd.org
Coding*
Hello World! This course is designed to introduce middle school students to the world of computer programming. We’ll start with visual (block) coding, where you’ll learn fundamental programming concepts in a fun and interactive way. As you build your skills and confidence, we’ll gradually transition to writing code in C, a powerful programming language. Through real-world tasks, you'll develop problem-solving skills and a solid understanding of how computers work.
You must complete the application form in order to be considered for the class.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST COMPLETE APPLICATION
For questions, please email:
STEAM Dojo*
Are you interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics? This option would be ideal for you.
STEAM Dojo is a hands-on introduction to modeling and design in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Students will be engaged in authentic, local, and global industry skill development by moving forward in solving problems, learning about innovation, and pushing their skills to the next level. Each unit includes hands-on projects. This is not a competition-oriented course.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST COMPLETLE APPLICATION
Due April 11th, 2025
For questions, please email:
Yearbook*
*PLEASE NOTE THAT YEARBOOK MAY TRANSITION TO AN AFTER SCHOOL CLUB/ACTIVITY AND WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED AS AN ELECTIVE*
Write, create and publish the next yearbook! Learn the basics of creating a yearbook including: photography, graphic design, write stories and captions, and learn organizational skills, marketing and sales skills, and how to manage deadlines. You will have a lot of fun and forget that you’re learning so many new skills!
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST COMPLETE APPLICATION
Due April 11th, 2025
For questions, please email Mr. Schoeller at: mschoell@musd.org
Quest Helpers*
This class is similar to the regular Quest class, however has an additional challenging social element where students are given the opportunity to increase their social skills with more hands-on projects. This course is for students who enjoy helping others, are patient and like to be positive and encouraging to a diverse population of personalities. All year long we will practice these social skills while we cook, garden, do Needle point, recycle, learn sign language and explore multiple communication methods.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST COMPLETE APPLICATION
For questions, please email Mrs. Knitter at: bknitter@musd.org
Leadership*
Would you like to help plan school rallies, dances and lunch time activities? Do you enjoy helping others? Do you want to make TRMS a welcoming and fun place to go to school? Then leadership is for you. The Leadership Class is a year-long elective that is open to students who are highly motivated to improve their leadership skills by their involvement in school activities and events, student government, student and staff recognition programs, and civic engagement within the school and local Milpitas community.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST COMPLETE
Due April 11, 2025
For questions, please email Mr. Resngit at: aresngit@musd.org
Band*
Two levels of Band are offered at TRMS. Music electives may be taken both years at TRMS. Anyone interested in band is encouraged to sign up regardless of experience. Even if you quit band in elementary school or have no experience, you are encouraged to sign up and would be placed into a class that fits your experience level!
Concert Band - Band I
No experience needed. Instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. Few instrument rentals are available. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day. Select this option if you are interested in learning a band instrument and have no prior experience.
Symphonic Band - Band II
Minimum 1 year prior experience required. An audition is NOT required to be in band! Students are encouraged to move to a different instrument they did not have the chance to play in elementary school. These instruments include: Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, or Tuba. Few instrument rentals are available. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day. Select this option if you are currently in band at your school OR if you took band in the past (or have playing experience outside of school), but are not currently enrolled in band at your school.
MUST COMPLETE APPLICATION
For any questions, please email Mrs. Sievert at: lsievert@musd.org
String Orchestra*
This course is designed for students of all experience levels. No experience required! Any student who wants to learn to play violin, viola, cello or double bass are encouraged to join. Ongoing students are also welcome. Few instrument rentals are available. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day.
PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM:
For questions, please email Mrs. Sievert at: lsievert@musd.org
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