Williams Middle School

2026-2027

8th Grade Courses

8^th Grade Choices

Course Selection Process

​

Honors Course Contract

• If you sign up for any Honors Course:
• Contract on the back of your choice form must be signed by you and your parent.

​

• Must initial all 4 bullet points - additional homework and study hours are required to be successful in the Honors Class, you are making a commitment to stay in the course for the entire year.

​

• Choice form returned without signature, placed in regular core course until Contract is received with Signature

Physical Activity Elective

Must Choose only 1 Activity Elective

​

• Boys Athletics** (Football Only)
• Girls Athletics**
• PE II
• Boys Gymnastics**
• Girls Gymnastics**
• Cheerleading** (Tryout Required)
• Drill Team** (Tryout Required)
• Outdoor Adventure PE

​

*Fee requirement

​

Boy’s Athletics�Football ONLY!

​

• Students are responsible for transportation for morning and/or afternoon practice
• Games are evenings and some weekends

​

​

• ALL STUDENTS are required to have a physical examination before the first day of school

Basketball

• Students interested in playing basketball only will sign-up for P.E. Basketball tryouts will be announced during the fall semester. Students who make the team will have their schedule changed to athletics.

Cross Country, Track, Soccer, Tennis

• meet after school and do not require students to be enrolled in the athletic class

​

No tryouts for cross country, track and football

Tryouts for tennis, soccer, & basketball

Girl’s Athletics�Volleyball, Basketball �Track, Cross Country, Soccer & Tennis

• Students are responsible for their own transportation for morning and/or afternoon practice
• Games are evenings and some weekends
• All students are required to have a physical examination before the first day of school
• Must participate in 2 sports

​

PE & Recreational Sports

• Focus is on physical fitness
• Cardiovascular
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Good health
• Activities
• Promote physical fitness
• Develop good motor skills
• Teach individual and team sports
• Benefits
• Problem-solving skills
• Self-discipline
• Positive attitudes

​

Outdoor Adventure PE

• Outdoor Adventure provides opportunities for 7th and 8th grade students to explore and participate in five or more lifelong recreational and outdoor experiences for enjoyment and challenge. Students participate in activities that promote physical recreation, respect for connection to nature and the environment, and opportunities for enjoyment for a lifetime. Activities can include boat safety, hunter safety, archery, fishing, outdoor cooking, camping, and other outdoor recreational experiences.

​

​

Girls/Boys

Gymnastics

• Requires try-out with coach (team placement)
• Develop basic gymnastic skills, strength, and flexibility
• Competition is from December to March
• Must have a physical examination
• *Cost required

Academic Electives

Must Choose 4 Academic Electives

2 will be entered into schedule (Fee Required**)

​

​

• Visual Art I 8**
• Visual Art 2 8**
• Visual Art 2 Advanced 8**
• Theatre I 8**
• Theatre II 8**
• Technical Theatre 8**
• Advanced Theatre 8**
• Choir**
• Band**
• Orchestra**
• PALS (Application Required)
• Broadcasting 8
• Yearbook 8

​

​

• Journalism 8
• Robotics 8
• Principles of Applied Engineering (HS Credit)
• Career and College Exploration
• Technology Applications 8
• Teen Leadership 8
• Drill Team** (Tryout Required)
• Cheerleading** (Tryout Required)
• Spanish 1 (HS Credit)*
• Office Aide (Application Required)
• H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Peers Excel) (Application Required)

Drill Team (subsitite for PE)

• No Dance skills required for sign up team
• Tryout for Competition Team
• Officer Tryouts
• *Additional Cost include: Uniform, and Camp
• Will Attend Football/Basketball games

​

• Inventive and imaginative expression

• Art appreciation

• Art History

• Develop artistic skills and explore the world of art

Visual Art 1/II

visual art ii Advanced

(application Required)

​

*supplies and equipment fees apply

Theatre Arts

Improvisations

• No $$ required!

• Theatre Arts I/II

​

• Advanced Theatre Arts (Audition Required)

​

• Technical Theatre (TA I Required)

​

Do you have a good work ethic?

Do you like to help others?

Are you dependable, responsible, and trustworthy?

If so, being an office aide might be the place for you!

​

We are looking for 8^th grade students with these qualities to help us out in all offices during the school year. Some things you might expect: running errands around the building, delivering call slips to classrooms, helping new students find their way, and helping with other clerical duties as needed.

This is an APPLICATION REQUIRED class.

NO LATE APPLICATIONS accepted.

​

PALS is a leadership class. In non-Covid years we go to the elementary schools 2 days a week during our class period. In class we do character education lessons, life lessons, things for teachers and staff around WMS, community service projects and many others.

Mrs. Helmer is the PALS teacher and has taught it at WMS for 15 years. If you have questions about PALS stop by C108 and ask her or email her at jana.helmer@rockwallisd.org

​

​

​

​

Actually have a say in what you and your friends remember from WMS!!!!

Field Trips

Seeking Self-MOTIVATED people!!!

APPLICATIONS are needed for this class!

Class size is LIMITED!!!!

Class Fees cover field trips & t-shirts

*Get Ready to Travel the World while Learning an Amazing Language and Culture on the same electrifying Journey.*

In Spanish l, you will be able to…

• Listen
• Read
• Write
• Speak

At a Novice Mid-Novice High Proficiency Level by completion of that level of study.

Novice Mid use of memorized and recalled words and phrases. Novice Mid students may be difficult to understand by the most sympathetic listeners and readers.� Novice High students express meaning in simple, predictable contexts through the use of learned and recombined phrases and short sentences.. Novice High students may generally be understood by sympathetic listeners and readers accustomed to dealing with language learners. Novice High students show evidence of Intermediate Low proficiency but lack consistency.

�

​

• Goals: Good time, Success
• Skills Learned: Music Appreciation, Sight-Reading, Vocal
• Time Commitment/Activities: 4 concerts and Optional All Region, Saturdays.
• Special Activities: Approximately 4 Concerts – Attendance Required
• Girls: Can audition for Select group
• Boys: Can audition for Select group

​

​

Everyone’s eligible!!

Sub-Non Varsity Orchestra

Non Varsity Orchestra

Varsity Orchestra

If you don’t have experience and are interested see Ms. Allison or Ms. Pendleton

​

• Sub Non-Varsity Band
• Non-Varsity Band
• Varsity Band

​

​

Be a part of the

• 6^th grade participation Recommended but not required. See Ms. Turner or Mr. Harrison for questions.
• Tryout required

AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination

This course will allow students to explore a wide variety of career paths in 16 career clusters. Students will use decision- making and problem-solving skills for college and career planning. They will explore valid, reliable education and career information to learn more about themselves and their interests and abilities. Students integrate skills from academic subjects, information technology, and interpersonal communication to make informed decisions. This course is designed to guide students through the process of investigation and in the development of high school, college, and career achievement plans.

​

​

Career and College Exploration

AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination

In the Principles of Applied Engineering class, students engage in hands-on, project-based learning to understand the fundamentals of engineering and technology. They learn the engineering design process to tackle real-world problems, utilizing tools and materials safely. The curriculum integrates basic concepts from math, science, and physics while allowing students to explore various fields of engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and aerospace. Additionally, students create and test prototypes using design software and fabrication tools, fostering teamwork as they design, build, and enhance engineering projects.

This course not only emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills but also introduces students to potential careers in engineering and technology.

​

​

PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED ENGINEERING

HS Credit: 1

​

AND…

FORMS due by 2/10 to YOUR TX History Teacher

Skyward Course Registration Dates

​

• Coach Windell – 2/17
• Coach McCrillis– 2/18
• Coach Miller– 2/19

​

​