Middle School Electives - Class Descriptions

Descriptions of Middle School Elective Classes
 
Art I:  Develop your artistic skills and understanding of the elements and principles of art with various materials and media.  Explore the possibilities of markers, colored pencils, watercolors, and ceramic clay to create projects based on contemporary and traditional art.  Artwork from famous artists will be used for inspiration and example.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, Op Art, Graffiti, and Still-Life.  One project in the fall semester will concentrate on western art and rodeo art as we get ready for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo competition.
 
Art II:  Challenge your artistic abilities with complex projects using perspective drawing, oil pastel techniques and clay forms.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, Architecture, Portrait, and Sculpture.  One project in the fall semester will concentrate on western art and rodeo art as we get ready for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo competition.  This class is for the student who enjoyed Art I and would like to continue to develop his/her artistic skills.
 
Band I:  How would you like to explore your musical talents and learn to play an instrument?  We will teach you everything there is to know! You don’t need any musical background in order to learn to play.  Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School band includes the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass guitar, percussion and many more (piano, drumset, etc.). Find out what instrument is perfect for you and join us next year to begin your musical adventure!  While participating in band you will learn responsibility, cooperation, self-discipline, character, leadership, respect, and pride, as well as musicianship all while having a great time making music with friends. All sixth grade band students begin in Band I.   For further information or to ask questions please e-mail: jscale@staopcs.org.  This is a yearlong class and participation in band does require at home practice. This course will include several exciting performances and activities that occur outside normal school hours.
 
Band II:  Band II (Honor Band) is a fun and exciting continuation of Band I. Participation in band does require at home practice.  Opportunities for band performances and competitions may be provided.  Students are allowed to take Band II with completion of Band I or approval from the instructor. Seventh and Eighth graders who have experience on an instrument but were not in Band I are more than welcome to join.   Band II is a yearlong class. This course will include several exciting performances and activities that occur outside normal school hours.
 
Broadcast Media:  The production of a weekly news show is the focus of this course.  Students will have the opportunity to develop writing, speaking, and production skills.  Students will learn to operate sound and video systems.  Students will learn how to use digital and video equipment along with photo and video editing tools.  Students will produce short movies/commercials using a variety of hardware and software tools.  Students will be responsible for preparing interview questions and conducting interviews.  Students will research and create multimedia projects for a variety of purposes, including animation, news reporting, marketing and entertainment. 
 
Requirements: Technology I is a prerequisite for this class.  Students are required to arrive at school 45 minutes early on days that the news show is broadcast, typically on Fridays, but may change to accommodate schedule changes and exams.  Students may be asked to video various after school productions/activities.  Class size is limited to 12 students.
 
 
 
 
 
Catholic and Private High School Preparatory Class:  This course is only offered in the fall and is designed to help eighth graders prepare for entrance into Catholic and private high schools in the surrounding area.  The students will learn test taking strategies for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) or the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE).  The students will practice taking the HSPT and the ISEE in class.  The students will also learn about the importance of high school recommendation letters.  In addition, the students will practice interviewing for high school entrance.
 
Catholic Art: Learn about how Catholics of the past expressed their faith in God through art and how the church uses art to teach the faith.  Early Christian Art to painters of the Italian Renaissance and beyond will inspire projects that may include:  fresco, mosaic, illumination, tapestry, stained glass, painting and sculpture.
 
Choir:  This course provides an avenue for students to use the only instrument that God created, the voice.  During this course students will develop their singing voice, sing in harmony, learn about musicianship and acquire teamwork.  Fundamental note reading, vocal technique, beginning musical theory concepts, and exposure to various genres of music are some of the components that make up the content of this course. Students should simply have the desire to sing to take this class; perfect pitch is not a requirement.  This course may include performance and activities that occur outside the normal school hours. 
 
Debate:  Debate is a semester long course that can be taken by 7^th-8^th grade students in the fall and 6^th – 8^th grade students in the spring.  Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills along with logic and impromptu speaking techniques to defend opposing sides of relevant issues.  Debate will encourage students to speak out in an informed way. Students are expected to develop expertise on an issue and then be able to debate either side of that issue developing the ability to share perspectives.
 
Digital Media: This course is intended to engage student learning in the field of Digital Media with hands-on projects and “real world” activities.  This course is based upon the development of a specific set of skills:  graphic design, animation, web design, and computer programming and coding. Digital Media integrates new technology with time honored communication skills.  It prepares students for the emerging digital world. 
 
Exploring Languages: Students will be introduced to the study of other languages through participating in different learning activities by using their language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). They will be exposed to the culture and countries that use the language being studied. The students will also acquire simple communicative skills in different languages.
 
Family and Consumer Science:  This course explores topics such as family dynamics, different types of relationships including those with God, family, and friends, peer pressure, conflict resolution, money management, short and long term goal setting, nutrition, healthy living, and cooking. 
 
Fashion Design: This computer simulation course is designed to teach you all about fashion. From trend research, to clothing design, to merchandising, this breakthrough visual simulation will give the students a complete introduction to business, marketing, and the exciting world of FASHION.
 
Health:  Throughout the health elective, students will participate in hands on activities, self inventories, and projects that will help them learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices. As students acquire a strong knowledge base and decision-making skills, they will gain the confidence they need to take responsibility for their own health. Topics covered are physical activity and exercise, nutrition, drugs and alcohol, tobacco, safety and injury prevention, infection control and disease prevention.  Due to the nature of this course, homework, quizzes, tests, and semester exams may be given.  Health is a yearlong course.
 
Newspaper: In this class, you will be part of the Dolphin Chronicle staff, and actively take part in each production of our school’s quarterly newspaper.  Each quarter, you will be in charge of a section of the Dolphin Chronicle.  Sections can include, but are not limited to current events, comics, and entertainment.  There are also many opportunities to cover and report school wide events and happenings. 
 
Percussion Ensemble: This course is for students who enjoy playing the Orff instruments in class.  All percussion instruments are involved: drums, xylophones, glockenspiels, bass bars, and metallophones.  Students will learn to play percussion instruments and complicated orchestrations.  Minimal music reading is needed.  No singing is required.  Limited space is available due to number of instruments. This course will include 1-2 exciting opportunities to perform outside of normal school hours.
 
Personal Finance: This computer simulation course is designed to teach you about money. From giving, saving, spending, and everything in between we will examine how money works in the real world. Students will be given a basic working knowledge of everyday concepts pertaining to financial matters.

Physical Education – Angels:  Come and join the Angel’s Dance and Cheer team!  Taking place of a mandatory PE credit and also serving as an extracurricular activity, you will be able to be a part of the official spirit group of St. Anthony of Padua!  You will participate in cheers, chants and different styles of dance.  You will learn basic tumbling skills and level one stunts.  You will plan and run every school pep rally and you will perform at most home basketball and football games. We will have rehearsals before school one morning a week during the year.  There is an Angel fee to participate and you will be required to purchase items to use as an Angel.  Come and join this fun team!  It will be an exciting year! For a more detailed description, there will be an Angels Parent Meeting on Thursday, May 3rd from 2:45 – 3:15 in the AMR.  Or, you may contact Rebecca Morris at rmorris@staopcs.org.
Physical Education:  Students in middle school are required to take PE in 6^th through 8^th grades.  PE is designed to teach and promote physical activity.  In middle school, the focus is on team sports and individual fitness activities.  Students are expected to participate in fitness drills including stretching, agility drills and running events. Some of the units covered may include, but are not limited to, volleyball, golf, floor hockey, soccer, flag football, racquet sports, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, disc golf, kickball, baseball/softball, and Kin-Ball.  PE is a yearlong course. 
 
Robotics:  Students will apply mathematics, scientific ways of thinking, and current technologies in an engaging adventure for the mind through activities, projects, and engineering while using the EV3 Mindstorm Lego robotic kits.

Service:  Students will apply for jobs around campus and gain experience working in those positions.  They will learn how to fill out job applications and will experience the interview process.  They will be placed in, but are not limited to, various positions in the office, library, EDP, early childhood classrooms, elementary classrooms, and middle school classrooms.  They will also be visiting the St. Anthony’s Bread Food Pantry during the semester.

Spanish I: This is a high school level course. Using age appropriate activities, students will develop the ability to perform the tasks of the novice language learner.  The student will communicate in Spanish using the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The student will also gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.  Students will follow a high school textbook and will engage in activities such as TV commercials, weather forecast, cooking shows, etc. Due to the nature of this course, homework, quizzes, tests, and semester exams may be given. This is a year long course.
 
Spanish II: Spanish I is a prerequisite to Spanish II.  Spanish II is a continuation of the Spanish I curriculum.  Due to the nature of this course, homework, quizzes, tests, and semester exams may be given.  This is a year long course.
 
Speech:   Communication is an important skill needed in one’s life. Students will learn to develop and apply good communication skills both verbally and nonverbally, and also in group situations, while working on listening skills.  We will work on different activities to sharpen our public speaking skills as well. 
 
Sports and Entertainment:  This computer simulation course is a sports and entertainment venue and allows students to handle promotion, ticket pricing, stadium operations, staffing, sponsors, concessions, concert booking and promotion, etc.  Students will learn about finances, marketing, business/sports management and entrepreneurship.   
 
Stock Market:  The Stock Market Game is a National sponsored and implemented program that teaches the basics of the Stock Market. Each student group will start with an Investment portfolio account worth $100,000. The students will research stocks to select for their portfolio. While working within the guidelines established by the Stock Market Game, students will buy and sell stocks to maximize their portfolios based on actual Stock Market data. This course combines cooperative learning, critical analysis, and researching skills. Student’s portfolios will be ranked against others in the area.
 
Technology I:  This course provides the opportunities to explore programs in depth through projects aligned with the middle school curriculum and the TEKS. Develop your technology skills using Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Inspiration 8. Learn about Copyright Laws and Fair Use. Use the Big Six research model and internet resources to create products that demonstrate the synthesis of new ideas.  Learn how to evaluate websites for authenticity and validity. Continue to demonstrate proper keyboarding skills by giving opportunities for students to apply their keyboarding skills in “real life” situations and for students to achieve their potential in keyboarding speed and accuracy. 
 
Theatre-The theatre department will be producing a play in spring 2019.  All spring theatre students are encouraged to participate as we will be casting from the spring theatre production class. We invite our students to explore and discover the many areas of theatre arts. Whether your interests are acting, scenic work, make-up, costumes or technical theatre (lighting & sound), we have a role for you!
 
Art and Design in Theatre: (Spring Semester) Students will learn about the elements of design used in theatre such as set design, props, costumes, and publicity. This class will be responsible for all technical aspects needed for the spring theatre production.
 
Theatre I: (Fall Semester) This class is for the student who is beginning to explore theatre arts for the first time.  This is a “hands-on” approach to learn about the different aspects of theatre. Students will learn about acting, directing, scene design, costumes, and stage make up. The class includes team building games and performance opportunities. 
 
Theatre II: (Fall Semester) In this class, you will acquire a more in-depth knowledge of theatre arts, including acting scenes and performance opportunities. 
 
Theatre Production: (Spring Semester) In this class, students will produce a full theatre production. Activities include acting, costuming, set design and technical skills. There will be after school practices three weeks prior to the performance.
 
Yearbook: In this course, the students will come up with a theme, design, and create the official school yearbook, The Paduan Pride.  We take many pictures, but there is also much more to this class.  Students will learn proper photo taking techniques with Canon cameras, editing procedures, and layout and design with Studio Works. This is a course that requires self-motivation and self-monitoring.
 
Note:  If there are state TEKS available for an elective class, they are utilized in planning curriculum for the course.