Electives

FULL YEAR COURSES

BAND/ORCHESTRA
The emphasis of this program is to enhance playing ability and provide experiences with a wide variety of musical literature. Students participating in this program receive one small group lesson each week as well as daily rehearsals. Band and Orchestra students perform in concerts including tours to district elementary schools, winter and spring concerts and a music festival with High School District 211. Students must currently be enrolled in the District 54 6th grade instrumental program to be eligible.

CHORUS
Chorus is specifically designed for students who like to sing and perform. The choral music program provides an opportunity for students to develop fundamentals of vocal techniques and to learn a selection of choral compositions and styles. Students will showcase their talents in a variety of performances throughout the school year, including a choral festival with High School District 211.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Students who successfully complete two years in the same language in junior high MAY qualify to receive advance placement at the high school. It is therefore essential that students begin a Foreign Language in 7th grade if they wish to take advantage of this opportunity.

Spanish I:  Students enrolled in Foreign Language will develop basic conversational and writing skills. Instruction provides many supporting visuals and media to assist students in gaining greater proficiency in their chosen language, while maximizing the element of fun in learning a new language.

Spanish III/Spanish IV (Dual Language Program only):  Students will build upon the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills they have developed during their years in the dual language program. Students also study cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and receive instruction in grammar necessary for proficient and accurate speaking and writing. The courses are based on thematic units of study in which students are able to continue developing their skills and knowledge.

ART
The emphasis in this full year course is on fun, exploration and learning through the creative process. Students in this course will create works of art by drawing, painting sketching, sculpting and much more. In addition, they will learn about artists and related art history. Students do not need a special talent in art to enroll in this course.

MUSIC
This course is for students who want to learn about music, listen to music and experience playing music. Students will explore the elements of music through creation and performance. A variety of instruments and music activities will be used to learn rhythm and music composition. Music from many parts of the world and different cultures will be experienced.

MEDIA PRODUCTION
In this full year course, students will learn about the ever-changing digital world, as well as be provided with a hands-on experience with industry standard software and equipment. The curriculum covers a wide range of digital arts areas, so it appeals to a diverse group of students. Topics covered in Media include graphic design, video and sound editing, and video production. 

STEM/PLTW

In STEM 1 students will complete two units. In Design and Modeling, students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy. In the Automation and Robotics unit, students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX robotics platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights and robotic arms.

In STEM 2 students will complete four units. In the Flight and Space unit students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build, and test a Mars Rover. In the Magic of Electrons unit, students examine the behavior and parts of atoms as well as the impact of electricity on the world around them. They learn skills in basic circuitry design and use what they know to propose designs such as a burglar alarm for an art museum. In Computer Science for Innovators and Makers students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development, allowing students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. In App Creators, students will be exposed to computer science as a means of computationally analyzing and developing solutions to authentic problems through mobile app development, and will convey the positive impact of the application of the computer science to other disciplines and to society.