Beginning Band

Course Code: MUS670       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Beginning Band is for students who want to learn to play a band instrument such as flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and percussion.  Students interested in playing alto saxophone should begin on clarinet and add the saxophone when ready. Students interested in the French horn, euphonium or tuba should speak with the band director about whether that would be a good choice for them. Focus is placed on playing with proper instrumental technique, developing a good sound and learning to read music.  No prior music experience is necessary.

Intermediate Band

Course Code: MUS780       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Intermediate Band is for students who have completed beginning band or have made equivalent progress on their instrument. Students learn to read more complex rhythms, play in more keys and perform more challenging, fun music. Students may move to another instrument such as oboe, bassoon, tenor saxophone, French horn or tuba. Focus is on continuing to develop technique, tone and music reading ability.

Advanced Band

Course Code: MUS781       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Advanced Band is for students who have completed both beginning and intermediate band or who have significant prior experience on their instrument. Focus is placed on advanced instrumental techniques as well as preparing the students to play advanced concert band music. Students will need to audition if they have not previously completed intermediate band.

Beginning Orchestra

Course Code: MUS671       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Beginning Orchestra is for students who are interested in learning to play violin, viola, cello or string bass. Focus is placed on learning to read music and proper playing technique. Students will study a wide variety of music. No prior music experience is necessary.

Intermediate Orchestra

Course Code: MUS782       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Intermediate Orchestra is for students in grades 7-8 who have completed Beginning Orchestra or 6th grade students with prior experience playing violin, viola, cello or string bass. The focus of this class continues with proper fundamental techniques while more advanced concert music is introduced. Students will study a wide variety of music.

Advanced Orchestra

Course Code: MUS783       Grade: 7-8      Length: Full Year     Homework Hours Per Week: 1

Advanced Orchestra is for students who have completed both Beginning and Intermediate Orchestra or who have significant prior experience on their instrument. Focus is placed on advanced instrumental techniques as well as preparing the students to play advanced concert band music. Students will need to audition if they have not previously completed Intermediate Orchestra. Depending upon course enrollments Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra may be in the same class.

Beginning Guitar

Course Code: MUS206       Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester    Homework Hours Per Week: 2

This semester-long course is designed for the beginning guitarist. Beginning guitarists will learn basic musical concepts including melody, harmony and rhythm. At the end of the class, students will be able to play basic chords, simple melodies and several strumming patterns. Solo and small ensemble work, such as duet and trio music will be explored. Open to students in grades 7-8.

Choir 7-8

Course Code: MUS703       Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester    Homework Hours Per Week: 0

In this course, students will begin to further develop their vocal skills in a one semester choir experience. Students will experience skill work in basic 2 and 3 part choral singing and some music theory. Music studied will include a variety of styles. Students are expected to perform at the quarterly concerts and purchase a choir T-shirt for performances.  This semester class is open to students in grades 7-8

Advanced Choir

Introduction to Theatre Arts

Course Code: DRA780       Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1

This one-semester introductory course covers the fundamentals of acting. Students will develop physical and vocal skills through movement, games, and activities to strengthen their acting abilities and create believable characters. The class explores scene work, monologue preparation, beginning theatrical design, and playwriting. Through improvisational activities, students will build a strong ensemble and gain confidence in expressing themselves on stage.

Introduction to Film Production

Intro to Art 2-D

Course Code: ART781       Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1

This semester art course has an emphasis on building skills and techniques through a variety of 2 dimensional art forms. Basic elements of art and principles of design are explored through painting, drawing, ink, watercolors, tempera and other media. Students increase their understanding of line, value, shape, color, space, pattern and balance. This course is open to students in grades 7-8.

Course Fee: $10 for art supplies

Intro to Art 3-D

Course Code: ART782      Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1

This semester art course has an emphasis on building skills and techniques through a variety of 3 dimensional art forms. The basic elements of art and principles of dimensional design and modeling will be explored through a variety of mixed media. Students will develop an increasing understanding of visual balance, form, proportion, texture and movement. This course is open to students in grades 7-8.

Course Fee: $10 for art supplies

Intro to Art - Digital

Cross Conditioning

Course Code: PED780      Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0

Activities including CrossFit, aerobics, and yoga are represented in this fitness and weights program to assist students in developing concepts of muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. This one semester elective course is open to grade 7 and 8 students.

Indoor/Outdoor & Leisure Activities

Course Code: PED782      Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0

Health and fitness concepts will be applied through popular outdoor activities including fitness walking, biking, orienteering, Frisbee golf, wiffle ball, kickball, softball, canjam, and bocce ball.  This one semester elective is open to grade 7 and 8 students.  

Team Sports

Course Code: PED781      Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0

Health and fitness concepts will be applied through participation in cooperative games and team sports.  Activities include net games like pickleball, badminton, volleyball to develop skills and strategies unique to these sports.  One or more invasion sports such as basketball, soccer, football, floor hockey, team handball, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee will also be included. This one semester elective is open to grade 7 and 8 students.

Walking for Fitness

Course Code: PED783      Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0

Students will set goals, apply health and fitness concepts, improve cardiovascular fitness and wellness through walking, as well as other core and aerobic activities. This class will often be outdoors so students need to be prepared with clothes and footwear for outdoor activities on different types of terrain appropriate to the weather each day.  This one semester elective is open to grade 7 and 8 students.

Tahoma Flow

Course Code: PED785     Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0

This is a group fitness class where students will explore different fitness activities such as, yoga, pilates, fitness walking, self-defense/martial arts, circuits, resistance training, aerobics, core, rock climbing, rhythmic and more. 

Partner Physical Education (Partner PE)

Student Leadership

Business Fundamentals & Entrepreneurship

Crafting Code and Game Design

Course Code: VTE780   Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 0-1

This one semester class is for students who are interested in exploring the exciting world of coding and game design.   Through hands-on projects and coding exercises from Code.org and Minecraft Education, students will learn how to design their own games while also developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.   

Energy and the Environment  & Green Architecture

Course Code: VIN781   Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1-2

In the first part of this class, Energy and the Environment, students think toward the future exploring sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigating the impact of energy on our lives and the world. They design and model alternative energy sources and evaluate options for reducing energy consumption. In the second part of this course, Green Architecture, students learn how to apply sustainability concepts to the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural stability to design affordable housing units using Autodesk's 3D architectural design software.

Medical Detectives

Course Code: VSH780   Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1-2

In the first part of this course, students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they analyze genetic testing results to diagnose disease and study DNA evidence found at a “crime scene.” They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, investigate how to measure and interpret vital signs, and learn how the systems of the human body work together to maintain health.  

Flight and Space

Course Code: VIN782   Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1-2

The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through Flight and Space. Students delve into the history of flight and space, discover the science behind aeronautics, and explore traveling and living in space. Students are then challenged to use their knowledge to design, build, and test an airfoil.

3D Modeling and Design & Robotics

Course Code: VIN700   Grade: 7-8      Length: Semester      Homework Hours Per Week: 1-2

In the first part of this course, students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.   In the second part, students 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.

Introduction to Film Production