2023-2024 Middle School Elective Catalog
Students will choose 4 electives each semester! Be sure to choose from a variety of categories and include a PE choice every year.
Middle School Electives Worksheet 2023-2024
Category – ART
Intro to Art – Grades: 6th-8th
Visual Arts – This course is for students at an introductory level who are interested in a variety of art experiences and media. For example: drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed-media. (Parents required to purchase Sketchbook for this class – costs approximately $16)
Drawing and Painting – Grades: 6th-8th
Visual Arts—Drawing/Painting courses provide a foundation in drawing and painting using a variety of media and techniques, emphasizing observation and interpretation of the visual environment. These courses typically include applying the elements of art and principles of design, along with a study of art and artists from a worldwide perspective, and instruction in the critique process. (Parents required to purchase Sketchbook for this class – costs approximately $16)
Sculpture – Grades: 6th- 8th
The course will follow these state standards for each project. Using sketching to share forward thinking scaffolding, playing and developing skills by using the same material and learning new techniques, observing and discovering a curiosity for previous artists skills and styles to influence personal work, as well as learning to properly critique and break down artists skills in open conversations and projects. (Parents required to purchase Sketchbook for this class – costs approximately $16)
Mixed Media – Grades: 6th-8th
Artists will learn how to mix multiple media by combining more than one medium or material to create projects. This is a problem solving course in which artists are to draft concepts before manipulating materials to create their pieces. This can take many forms, but the three most common are collages, assemblages, and sculptures. Many mixed media artworks feature different materials such as paint, fabric, paper, and found objects. This is a specialized art course in which you will be using a multitude of art mediums and supplies, maybe get a little messy, create new art, but most of all, you will be challenged. (Parents required to purchase two 8×11 canvases for this class – costs approximately $17)
Category – PERFORMING ARTS
Band – (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) – Grades: 6th-8th
Band includes the basic elements of music playing skills, and introduction to band literature. It is designed to offer students performance skills in preparation for concerts and competitions with emphasis on music theory, interpretation, ensemble experience, and improved technical proficiency. Students in band perform in at least two concerts a year. Although the curriculum is designed for students with one year of playing experience, students with no prior experience are welcome to participate. Instrument choices are: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion, and Keyboard. Band is a year long course. Students must provide their own instruments through rental or purchase, although the school does have some to provide on a limited first come first serve basis.
Orchestra – (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) – Grades: 6th-8th
String Orchestra includes the basic elements of music playing skills, and introduction to orchestra literature. It is designed to offer students performance skills in preparation for concerts and competitions with emphasis on music theory, interpretation, ensemble experience, and improved technical proficiency. Students in orchestra perform in at least two concerts a year. Although the curriculum is designed for students with one year of playing experience, students with no prior experience are welcome to participate. Instrument choices are: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Keyboard. Orchestra is a year long course. Students must provide their own instruments through rental or purchase, although the school does have some to provide on a limited first come first serve basis.
Choir – (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) – Grades: 6th-8th
Singers will develop their musical potential and artistic expression through singing in a choral ensemble. Study includes the ability to read music using the Kodaly technique (solfege). The core curriculum emphasizes the basics of vocal technique, sight-reading, music theory, and music history. A wide variety of songs will be studied. Students perform in a concert at the end of the semester, and learn the importance of artistic expression through performance.
Drama – Grades: 6th-8th
The drama elective enables students to express themselves through dramatic play and storytelling. Course content typically includes the use of movement, language, character, plot, and spectacle to portray imaginary or real experiences. As appropriate, students may focus on acting techniques and traditions, other aspects of drama staging, lighting, costuming, or both. Specific course content conforms to any existing state standards for grades 6-8.
TED Talks for Teens – Grades: 6th-8th
Great communicators can change the world! TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. The challenge of each TED talk speaker is to present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging way they can. In this class we’ll not only view and discuss TED Talks (beginning with selections from TED Under 20, created by innovators under the age of 20), but we’ll also create and film some TED Talks of our own. Come explore how others, and how we can, change the world through spreading ideas!
Category – SOCIAL STUDIES AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Sports History – Grades: 6th-8th
In this class, students will learn about the history of sports including American Football, basketball, hockey, baseball and so much more! In the fall semester, students will have the opportunity to analyze NFL statistics, matchups, injuries, and bye weeks to prepare and draft a fantasy football team. Students will learn about football and the NFL by calculating points based on number of passing, rushing, and receiving yards, touchdowns, as well as individual and team defensive sacks, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns. In the spring semester, students will study and research different men’s and women’s NCAA basketball programs to fill out a bracket and select a “final four” before March Madness. GAME ON!!!
Civics (Current Events) – Grades: 6th-8th
Our Civics course takes on the aspects of Current Events, enabling students to study political, economic, and social issues facing the world. These courses may focus on current issues, examine selected issues throughout the 20th century, and look at historical causes or possible solutions. This includes analyzing sources such as Junior Scholastic Magazine, other major newspapers, and watching CNN 10. This class has daily discussions centered around current events and societal issues.
Sources of Strength – Grades: 6th-8th
Sources of Strength is one of the nation’s most rigorously researched peer leader programs and is presently on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices – the nation’s highest level of prevention programs. Through this course, students will be trained to be Sources of Strength Peer Leaders. Students will gain knowledge in the areas of: social/emotional health, peer leadership, mentoring, activity/event planning and budgeting, and identifying warning signs of emotional crisis including risk of suicide. Students will plan and implement school-wide campaigns to bring awareness to positive support systems available to students at home, in their school, and in the community.
Leadership – Grade 8 (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE)
Leadership is a staff-recommended course. Leadership class is designed to strengthen students’ personal and group leadership skills. These courses may cover such topics as public speaking, effective communication, human relations, community service, school culture, organization and management, and group dynamics.
Category – MATH, SCIENCE, AND TECH
Personal Finance – Grades: 6th-8th
Students will learn the practical side of money management to prepare them for the day when they will have to be responsible for their own finances. Topics covered will include how to earn income, how to budget, managing checking accounts, the use and abuse of credit cards, the effect of compound interest on wealth production, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, bank investments, running their own business, real estate, taxes, basic economics, and the effect of current events on a pocketbook.
Math Masters – Grades: 6th-8th
This math elective is designed for middle school students who wish to analyze and solve challenging mathematics problems. Through this course you will have the opportunity to delve deeper into math topics not often covered in most middle and/or high school courses. The overall goal is to build an appreciation of mathematics by exploring high-level math topics while solving and analyzing national level mathematical competition problems. The open-ended curriculum allows for a student-centered approach. The only requirement is that you must love math! This goal is for this class to participate in at least one math competition per semester.
Concepts in Action – Grades: 6th-8th
In Concepts in Action you will use the engineering design process to complete several classic high school physics challenges. During the first quarter student engineers are challenged to construct Spaghetti Bridges, Solar Powered Cars, Catapults, and Egg Drop Contraptions. If you like hands-on, project-based learning that allows you to design and develop a solution to a challenge then this is the class for you.
Inquiry and Investigation – Grades: 6th-8th
In this course, students will have the opportunity to ask science related questions and then research the answers or conduct practical labs to test a hypothesis. Students will learn about and use engineering design as they make working models in the inquiry and investigation process. Students will have the opportunity to present their work through written summaries and presentations. Students will work individually, in small groups, or with the teacher to find answers to their inquiries. Students will also learn about STEM related careers. Students will learn how to use technology appropriately and take responsibility for their own learning.
Animal Science – Grades: 6th-8th
This elective is designed for the civic-minded animal enthusiast. In this elective we will focus on issues that animals face in our community, in our country, and around the globe. We will learn about subjects such as community cats and TNR programs, humane education and encouraging the adoption of pets from shelters, endangered species conservation efforts, wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuaries, and much more. We will then design and implement an animal-related service project to benefit a local animal welfare organization.
Anatomy and Physiology – Grades: 6th-8th
Human Anatomy and Physiology explores the inner workings of the human body and focuses on anatomical and medical terminology. This course is the perfect foundation for students wanting to expand their vocabulary and learn about the body and its levels of organization, as well as the cooperation required between those levels. Students will utilize online resources to study the muscular system, the cardiovascular system, the skeletal system, the digestive system, and the reproductive system.
STEM 6 – 6th grade only (REQUIRED FOR 6TH GRADE)
This Level 1 introductory course follows the ISTE Student Standards. STEM is a required semester-long class that allows students to work with computer technology, engineering design, and robotics by allowing active learning and purposeful application through real-life challenges and projects. Sixth Grade Middle School STEM will expand on the application of the engineering design process through a variety of required and student-chosen engineering design challenges. These challenges will continue to encourage the development of skills such as collaboration, creation, analysis, synthesis, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This course will include digital citizenship, basic tools used in middle school classrooms, occupations related to computer technology hardware and software industries, and project creations. Demonstration of a class project will include the engineering design process.
STEM 7 – 7th grade only (REQUIRED FOR 7TH GRADE)
This Level 2 introductory course follows the ISTE Student Standards. STEM is a required semester-long class that allows students to work with computer technology, engineering design, and robotics by allowing active learning and purposeful application through real-life challenges and projects. Seventh Grade Middle School STEM will build upon what they learned in Level 1 introductory class and now expand on the application of the engineering design process. This class will include continuing education on digital citizenship skills and knowledge. They will take a deeper look into the principles of design that they will apply to their class projects that are created throughout the semester.
STEM 8 – 8th grade only (REQUIRED FOR 8TH GRADE)
This Level 3 introductory course follows the ISTE Student Standards. STEM is a required semester-long class that allows students to work with computer technology, engineering design, and robotics by allowing active learning and purposeful application through real-life challenges and projects. Eighth Grade Middle School STEM will continue to apply digital citizenship skills and knowledge in the final middle school phase of being a safe user in the digital world as they prepare for high school and beyond. Students will create a capstone project where they will be working with a client and be required to identify, develop, and produce a product for the sole purpose of their client. This could include, but not limited to, creating a public service announcement, a How-To video, or an animation creation commercial.
Engineering – Career Technical – Grades 6th-8th
Students will be introduced to the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges. They will learn how engineers are focusing on some of the big problems facing our world today. Students will use the CAD program FabMaker Studio to design and fabricate solutions that will be shared and iterated on by classmates.
Web Development, Interactive Animations, and Games – Grades 6th-8th
The course starts off with Problem Solving and Computer Concepts. The course progresses into developing personalized web pages. Content will be focused on how to share safe content while learning to structure the webpages with HTML structure and CSS style. Students will also practice valuable programming skills such as debugging, and teamwork through paired programming. The second quarter Problem Solving and Computer Concepts. The course progresses into developing interactive games through simple shapes and then sophisticated sprite-based games.
App Lab Design Process / Data and Society – Grades 6th-8th
The course starts off with Design Process and Problem Solving Concepts. The course introduces the broader social impacts of computing. Students will engage in design challenges involved with solving problems through the use of Apps. The second part of the course introduces the importance of data in solving problems and how it relates to computers’ collection of data and information. The capstone project will reflect how computers use big data to solve a problem of choice.
Category – PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Middle School Physical Education – Grades: 6th-8th
Physical Education courses provide students with knowledge, experience, and an opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities.
Team Sports – Grades: 6th-8th
Team Sports courses provide the student the opportunity to compete in a wide range of team sports. They will be given direction and strategies important to these sports. They will also have the opportunity to develop teamwork, problem solving, and leadership skills important in becoming young adults. We will play a variety of sports as well as the common football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. This will be a high energy, action packed activity class.
Strength and Conditioning – Grades: 6th-8th
In this course we will be focusing on the development of athletes as pertains to strength and conditioning. We will be working with Kettlebells, Battle ropes, Med-balls, and body weight to workout with. We will discuss and implement the principles of training, like overload, progression, specificity, regularity, and individuality. We will be using the physical best activities and apply the FITT guidelines to improve health and overall fitness. This class is intended for students that compete in sport activities to help them improve their overall athletic ability.
Health and Wellness – Grades: 6th-8th
Topics covered within Health Education courses will discuss personal health which include nutrition, mental health, stress management, anxiety management, and organizational skills. The course may also include brief studies of environmental health, personal development, and/or community resources. In addition, Health and Wellness will include an overview of CPR/First Aid skills, meditation, yoga, daily affirmations, journaling, and calendar or planner preparation.
Category – SPANISH
Spanish 1A – (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) – Grades: 6th-8th
Designed to introduce students to the Spanish language and culture. This course emphasizes (comprehension of the language and learning about the Hispanisc culture).Students will be exposed to reading, story-telling, songs, videos, etc. to attain novice performance in all modes of communication -interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.
Spanish 1B – (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) (prerequisite=Spanish 1A) – Grades: 7th-8th
Designed to continue to develop student’s proficiency, Spanish 1B continues to develop their comprehension and communicative skills. Students will be exposed to reading, story-telling, songs, videos, etc. to attain novice performance in all modes of communication -interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Students who have taken Spanish continuously for 2-3 years should have developed enough understanding to be recommended to take Spanish 2 when entering high school. To get a recommendation for Spanish 2 in HS students will need to have Spanish in their 8th grade year.
Spanish 2/3/4- (YEAR LONG ELECTIVE) (prerequisite=Spanish 1B/2/3) – Grades: 6th-8th
Spanish 2/3/4 are staff recommended courses. These 3 courses are consecutive classes that build on each other.
Category – ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The following electives support the Colorado requirements of M.T.S.S. Students requiring additional support in Reading, Math, or in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be appointed to these electives by teachers.
Gifted Resource
Gifted Resource is a staff-recommended course. Students will select an area of interest that they are not currently pursuing or not at the depth they would like in their classes at C2E. They will develop a project whose scope and sequence will span approximately one semester. After the project is proposed to and accepted by the instructor, the instructor will attempt to partner the student with a mentor who currently works in the student’s chosen area of study. Correspondence between mentor and student will be closely monitored. Students will be evaluated on how they work towards their goal, not the success of their product.
Math Enrichment
Math Enrichment is a staff-recommended course for students needing instructional reinforcement in math concepts. Students receive small group instruction or individual web-based instruction.
English Enrichment
English Enrichment is a staff-recommended course for students needing instructional reinforcement in Language Arts/fluency concepts. Students receive small group instruction or individual web-based instruction.
Resource – required for all middle school students with an IEP
Resource is a time and place for students to work on goals and skills from their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students will work with learning specialists in small group or individual settings.
