DESCRIPTIONS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL ELECTIVE CLASSES 2021-2022
Studio Art: Students will be challenged to explore new medias in various studio centers (drawing, painting, collage, 3-D, clay and fiber) using studio habits as they learn to envision their ideas and develop their craft. One project in the fall will focus on western art and rodeo art as we prepare for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art competition (students wishing to participate should indicate Fall on their selection list). This class may be repeated.
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. St. 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. Any questions contact jscale@staopcs.org, Joseph Scale.
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 can 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. Any questions contact jscale@staopcs.org, Joseph Scale.
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.
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 7th-8th grade students in the Fall and 6th – 8th 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.
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/project-based 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.
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 oversee 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/project-based 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 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, 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 before a scheduled performance. There is a $200 Angel fee which is billed to student FACTS© account. Students will be required to purchase items to use as an Angel. Come and join this fun team! It will be an exciting year!
Physical Education: Students in middle school are required to take PE in 6th through 8th 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, floor hockey, soccer, flag football, racquet sports, basketball, four square, Ultimate Frisbee, disc golf, kickball, baseball/softball, and Kin-Ball. PE is a yearlong course.
Physical Education – Martial Arts: This is a PE course focused on Tae Kwon-Do, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, exercise, and flexibility training. There will a be $300 fee to participate ($150 charged each semester to student FACTS© account). This course availability will be dependent on our ability to find a certified instructor. Space is limited. Priority will be given to those who previously took the 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.
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. This class is open to 6th graders. (High school credit for Conroe ISD will be given only if a student takes Spanish I and Spanish II in 7th and 8th grade respectively as required by CISD.)
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: Communicating effectively is one of the most important skills that students can learn. In Speech class, we will learn about the four different styles of communication, how to determine our current style and adjust it to become assertive and effective speakers through group activities, interactive role playing and fun theater games. Topics to be covered include: How to deal with anxiety, verbal and non-verbal communication, creating a personal presence, the do’s and don’ts of social media use, personal branding, receptive listening and much more!
Sports and Entertainment: This computer simulation/project-based 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. Learn how to evaluate websites for authenticity and validity. Continue to demonstrate proper keyboarding skills to master keyboarding speed and accuracy.
Theatre-The theatre department will be producing a play in spring 2021. All theatre production students will participate in the production as we will be casting from the 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!
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.