ALL STUDENTS SHOULD CHOOSE SOME HALF-YEAR ELECTIVES FOR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS.  Please prioritize 5 DIFFERENT electives you want MOST:  If you do not choose DIFFERENT courses, we will make choices for you.

Critical Threadagogy aka Leadership (half year elective)
An elective class where we will examine the present and the past through reading, writing, speaking, thinking, listening, questioning, and sharing as we explore a broad range of social, political, economic, cultural and issues. These include, among others, the incompatibility of capitalism and democracy; white supremacy and racial equity and equality, patriarchy and climate justice. We will critically analyze the schisms & the ~isms which have been instrumental in the advancement of neoliberal social and economic policies, growing class polarization & inequality through the perspective of artists, poets, musicians, filmmakers, rebels, activists, chefs, writers, revolutionaries, and everyday people to fine tune our individual talents for collective empowerment in order to guarantee a more viable future.

Coding (half year elective)
This course will be an intro into the world of coding and computer science. You will learn about binary, conditions, loops, events, and X,Y grids. We will use Scratch as a drag and drop coding language.

Media Literacy 1 (half year elective)
This course introduces digital literacy through the use of project-based learning.  Students will develop skills that encourage creativity, productivity, critical thinking, and collaboration to better understand media and new ways to look at it with a critical eye. This class will focus on basic technology tools available to all students including typing skills, Google Apps, video production, podcast production, 3d printing, graphic design, website design, and digital storytelling. These tools will be taught through a series of projects that will require individual motivation, group dynamics and presentation skills.

Spanish Enrichment (half year elective)
A language enrichment elective class where we will be implementing a method of teaching called OWL (Organic World Language) which is a 100% en español immersion experience! You brain is a natural language learner, it is wired for languages!  Add some layers of fun, humor, compassion, your willingness, and some warm demanding and this becomes an easy way to learn!  We study student generated topics.  You like it?  We study it!  OWL will be conducted primarily in a circle with students standing, moving and interfacing with everyone in class. Another way to say it is, everyone will work with everyone in this class. We are a community. There are no desks, they get in the way of connecting and playing games. There is also no textbook for the class, but rather a journal/workbook which serves as the student’s personal textbook. Students will need to be very active, safe, and respectful participants in this language learning class.  Students will be required to use ONLY Spanish while in this class.  I repeat, SOLAMENTE español en clase. Don't see this class as another subject, but when you come into the class you are entering into another realm, another culture.  In order to know another culture, the language is the key to it's heart.

Cultural Heritage (half year elective)
"欢迎学生们 Huanying Xueshengmen！Welcome Everyone! With the dramatic rise of China’s influence around the world, it is indeed a very exciting time to be learning about the diverse cultures of China’s 1.3 billion people. In this course, students will explore many areas relating to ancient and modern Chinese culture, including Chinese language, history, geography, food, holidays and much more!

Speech and Drama 1 (half year elective)
This course is an introductory class to public speaking skills and performance.  Students will be asked to prepare and present a set of speeches ranging from instructional speeches to The Moth storytelling.  Students will also research and prepare a set of debates that require critical thinking and listening to present to the class. In addition to multiple speaking opportunities, students will play a set of drama and improv games to improve their speaking skills in a more casual way.  Assignments will vary from individual speeches, digital productions, partner debates, and group scenes.

Mindfulness (half year elective)
Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. In this class, students will learn about mindfulness and practice different meditation and yoga techniques.  Students in this class should feel comfortable with quiet spaces and independent work - working on mindfulness is often different for each person.

Beginning Dance (half year elective)
An introduction to the fundamental movements, vocabulary, musicality and technical execution of West African, Modern/Contemporary, Cuban and Brazilian dance. Students will also learn basic elements of dance through composition and choreography. In addition to daily conditioning or dance, students will learn the general history and cultural traditions with each dance form. Introductory classes will be evaluated on professionalism and participation in the dance studio.
 
Beginning Band (whole year elective)
Beginning Band gives an opportunity for middle school students with no prior experience in a school concert band to begin the process of learning a concert band instrument such as flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, or percussion. Students will develop fundamental instrument technique and learn performance basics, how to read music, how to be a contributing member of a team, and organizational skills. All sixth through eighth graders are eligible and performances are included in the course. Mrs. Pierce (band director) will assist each student with placement and instrument selection at the beginning of the course.  If you decide at the semester that you LOVE band, you can move into the intermediate band course.  Beginning band is a semester course.