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An exciting part of our program includes students designing what their day looks like, by picking a variety of electives that interest them. This elective choice allows teachers and students the ability to find their own gifts and talents.
Electives are divided into two groups. Core electives include reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Other electives include visual and performing arts, foreign language, technology, physical education and health.
Electives are designed to enhance the core curriculum and allow students the opportunity to explore a variety of different disciplines.
Take a look and hear from our students why they love electives!
You can also find our complete course description guides using the links below.
2021-22 1st Semester Elective Descriptions
Diksha_Stacking videoSpeed Stacking (PE)
Learn about the sport of Speed Stacking! Students will improve their hand-eye coordination and ambidexterity by stacking cups in multiple formations and styles such as the 3-3-3, 3-6-3, 6-6, and the cycle. Students will create and perform a routine at the end of the course to demonstrate their new knowledge and skills.
Intro to the Stage (Drama)
In this introductory drama course students will learn about various aspects of the theater. Students will discover the role of the actor, director, and stage technician, and will become familiar with makeup, costumes, sets, and props.
Intro to the stage -Ava Tsang (1).mkvIMG_1337 (convert-video-online.com)(1).movKelseyBehindtheS.mp4Behind the Scenes (Drama)
Students will explore a variety of technical aspects of the theater: makeup, costumes, sound, properties, scenery, and lighting. Student projects will align with chosen literature.
Puppet Play (Drama)
Puppet Play is a creative exploration into puppetry. Students will learn and create various types of puppets, such as hand, rod, string, and shadow. This course incorporates literacy skills, reading, writing, and speaking and listening, as students develop and personalize puppet characters and performances.
Mahanya Video on Puppetry Elective.mp4PalishtaMagnetVideo (1).movStorytime for Young Listeners (Music)
Listening is essential and basic to all musical experiences. Through a variety of integrated arts activities, students will learn music through children’s literature. We explore stories that will inspire music learning and making. Through this elective, students will reinforce and expand their knowledge and understanding of the elements of music. We will sing, play, move, and create.
Exploring Dance Styles (Dance)
In this introductory course to the basic movement principles that pertain to all dance styles, students will begin to develop strength, coordination, and flexibility. We will spend time learning skills in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and creative dance.
Dance.MOVDance forms elective .mp4Dance Forms (Dance)
This introductory course in dance will provide each student with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of dance forms. These forms will include creative rhythms, dance improvisations, as well as technique in ballet, tap, jazz, ballet, modern and hip hop. A historical perspective of dance and its relationships within our society will be examined. We will study famous choreographers and dancers that are well known in each form.
Meet & Make the Instruments (Music)
Students will be introduced to classroom, orchestral, and world instruments. We will explore sound, instrument families, play several instruments and even make some of our own. Through this elective, students will reinforce and expand their knowledge and understanding of the elements of music: pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and form. We will also be singing, playing, reading, and writing music as we learn about the instruments. Students will show their knowledge and creativity by making their own instruments.
ChiradeepMagnetVideo.AVIMammals of the Sea (Science)
Ahoy! This course will familiarize students with seals, sea lions, manatees, dolphins, sea otters, and of course, whales. Students will learn what makes a mammal a mammal and be able to identify a variety of mammals. Students will study the fascinating habits and habitats of these interesting sea creatures.
Sign Language (Language Arts)
Students will be taught the concept of using sign language as an alternative form of communication. Finger spelling and signing of familiar words and terms will be emphasized. Students will use their hands and eyes to "speak" and "listen" to others. Students will perform at Spring Fling in May.
We Got The Beat (Music & PE)
Through this elective students will learn how movement can correlate with other areas including music and physical education. Movement will be introduced through activities- cardio drumming and parachute, rhythms, recorded music, and stories. Students will showcase skills learned in this elective during our Spring Fling celebration.
Theater Production (Music, Dance and Drama)
Students will work with the Arts Team (dance, music, and drama teachers) to produce a full length musical production. Student will be involved in this elective for two quarters and will be on stage singing, dancing, and acting. Students in this elective also audition as a group for the Wake County Pieces of Gold Performance.
Cut and Sew (Contemporary Arts)
Cut and Sew is a course for beginners who are creative and love to make useful objects. Students will learn the basic steps in cutting out patterns, attaching snaps and buttons, hemming, and stitching. Take-home projects will be completed. Students will make various pieces such as bags, purses, masks, pillows, and puppets.
Public Art in the Community (Art)
Students learn about the function and purpose of public art within their school and the local community. Students collaborate to create dynamic projects that enhance our school environment while inspiring positivity and diversity. Students use painting and sculpture mediums to create permanent school art installations while expanding their understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. The 4Cs are a major focus of this elective course.
IMG_8627.MOVNarnia AIG (Language Arts)
Step through the wardrobe into a land of… snow? Talking animals? Yes, you read that right. As we read the first of seven enchanting books, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, we will study the author, plot, setting, and major themes of the book. This elective will combine both reading and creative writing experiences to bring the story to life and teach reading skills. In a book club format, students will complete fun assignments designed to express their learning in different ways. So, pack your bags and join me on a journey to the magical land of Narnia!
Geometric Design AIG (Math)
Have you ever been to an amusement park? Have you ever successfully traced a line through a maze? Do you know what characteristics a shape must have to be called a polygon? In this virtual class, you will study the history of geometry and use the concepts of line, angle, and shape, to solve design challenges. You will see where these geometric elements exist in the world around you as you work to fully develop understanding of vocabulary and principles of geometry. You will be working creatively both alone and with classmates on specific tasks that provide opportunities to read about, write about, speak about, and listen to others speak about thoughts and ideas as we build deeper understanding of geometry concepts. Come join us on an a-maze-ing journey!
MarlyTimeLapse.movDigital Music Making (Music)
Through this course students will explore both traditional and nontraditional means of digital music making. Students will work through the creating process with websites such as Chrome Music Lab, Noteflight, and Scratch. They will plan and create musical ideas, expand and develop those ideas, learn to evaluate and refine, and finally present and reflect on the process. Students will leave this elective with a few finalized musical products.
MusicMakingSample3.movMusicMakingSample1.webmMusicMakingSample2.webm
FOOD SCULPTURE (Art)
In this elective, students explore food as subject matter for artmaking, learning about how and why specific Pop artists embraced it. Students use their knowledge of Pop Art styles, mediums and techniques to create a variety of 3D food sculptures. In addition, students examine the history of the foods they are creating to establish relevant historical and cultural connections. As a culminating activity, students design, advertise and curate a collaborative mini Pop-up Pop Art exhibition that blurs the lines between gallery and retail space. Students utilize literacy, writing, collaboration, and math skills to install, describe, and advertise their food sculptures.
ASTOUNDING ARTISTS (Art)
Students study the life and work of astounding artists to create “inspired by” masterpieces using a variety of art mediums and techniques. Students discuss the cultural context and creative contributions of each artist while expanding their knowledge of art history.
Behind the Scenes (Art)
Students will design, construct, and paint the scenery and properties for Washington’s magnet play production. During this elective students will acquire technical theatre vocabulary, technical drawing skills, scenic design strategies, scenic painting skills, and property construction techniques. In addition, students learn backstage etiquette and receive basic stagehand and lighting technician training, all of which are invaluable within the art and theatre community. Collaboration and team-building skills are a major component of this creative experience.
FBI (Language Arts)
Calling all students! Have you ever wondered about how the FBI works? Grab your credentials and flip notebooks and become an FBI agent for our school. In this elective you will learn how to take fingerprints and use them to figure out who robbed the safe. We will use chromatology to figure out the type of pen used in a ransom note as we investigate, “The Case of the Missing Class Pet.” You will then put all of these skills together and work with a team of agents to solve the mystery of the “Missing Statue.”
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING (Science)
Students will be introduced to 6 different types of engineering. They will be given a short description of the type of engineering, make predictions, test materials, investigate solutions, and make presentations with their team using the data and observations they complete. 21st Century Skills will be utilized as they explore each type of engineering field and develop deeper understanding of what it means to be an engineer.
Architecture AIG (Math)
Let’s build the world! In this class students will learn about different stunning forms of architecture from around the world, both from the past and present. After learning about the constructional elements of buildings they will get to create their own original forms of buildings to meet specific challenges. Their structures will be fully costed and all surface areas calculated to ensure they stay within budget! Students have built both on Earth and Mars so who knows where our projects will take us next!
Band & Orchestra (3rd-5th Grades)
Students in 3rd and 4th grade may sign up for Beginning Band and learn to play one of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone or percussion. Advanced Band is designed for continuing musicians in 4th and 5th grade. Students must have successfully completed the Beginning Band curriculum in order to take the Concert Band class. This ensemble is comprised of brass, woodwind and percussion students. Students study technique exercises as well as prepare pieces to perform at public concerts.
We have three levels of orchestra at Washington Elementary, beginning, intermediate and advanced. Students have a choice to play one of four string instruments: violin, viola, cello and bass. Students will learn a variety of techniques for playing instruments and participate in several performances throughout the year.
PAPER SCULPTURE (Art)
In this elective students explore a variety of diverse paper sculpting techniques. We will be constructing/sculpting with origami paper, construction paper, mat board, cardboard, tissue paper as well as found object paper products. We will also incorporate paper mache and paper casting techniques within multiple projects. Your child will learn to fold, curl, slot, coil, sculpt, and draw with scissors while transforming paper into 3D sculptures.
Computer Webmasters (Media)
Students will learn how to write and create their own personal web page using google sites. Students will use the computer to write stories, poems, imaginative narratives and personal narratives on a variety of topics for their web page projects. The web pages will be posted to the school’s web site once peers and the instructor review them. Dialogue will be created during the review process to make sure that high quality web pages will be posted to the Internet. Students will learn how to insert photos, graphics and drawings into their web pages.
ElianaBrainpopVideo.mp4Video creation using Brainpop.
KITCHEN CHEMISTRY (Science)
In this course the students will learn, through many exciting experiments, about simple scientific phenomena, such as physical and chemical changes; states of matter--solids, liquids, and gases; and the cause and effect of heat. Students will also learn how ice cream and soap are made.
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