7th/8th GRADE ELECTIVE DESCRIPTIONS
Please note: Elective offerings are subject to change, based on staffing, interest, etc. In addition, some electives are open to strictly 7th
grade students, some to 8th grade students, and some to both. Some electives have prerequisites (**). Please read the descriptions
carefully to avoid signing up for electives you are not eligible to take. Every effort will be made to accommodate students’ choices,
however, there is no guarantee that all requests will be met.
SPECIAL NOTE: Students who read below grade level will be placed in a reading support program until they demonstrate grade
level reading ability. Students who are learning English may be placed in English Language Development (ELD) class(es). These
support classes take the place of an elective class.
ART -- 7th/8th Grade (Year) The year-long Art elective will be a rigorous combination of Studio (hands-on) Art, and Art History. Students will learn how to effectively use
the art elements (line, shape/form, color, space, and texture), the principles of design (unity, balance, movement, rhythm, emphasis/focal point and scale/proportion), and
to accurately draw and shade objects, people and faces in a realistic manner, and use one and two point perspective. Students will work in 2-D media such as art/color
pencils, oil/chalk pastels, charcoals, ink, tempera, watercolors, and acrylic paints. 3-D projects will utilize cardboard, paper, wood, and found materials. Students will
study various artistic styles of the past and modern time (Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Pop, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, etc.) and learn how to
analyze and critique artworks using their knowledge of art elements, principles of design, and art history.
ADVANCED ART -- 8th Grade ONLY (Year) ** Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, complete an application (available in main office)**
Students in Advanced Art will continue to develop skills and techniques introduced in the first year elective class. Additional materials and methods in printmaking,
sculpture, and painting will be introduced, as well. Projects will be larger, more in depth, and will often require work outside of the classroom (homework!).
Students applying for Advanced Art must have, while in the first year Art elective class, demonstrated their ability to work independently, challenge themselves, and to
complete all assignments with a high level of craftsmanship. Above all else, students signing up for Advanced Art must be self-motivated and willing to work hard.
AVID-- 7th/8th Grade (Year) **
**Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. Upon teacher recommendation, students will receive an application**
This elective is offered to students who meet the following criteria: GPA between 2.0-3.50, excellent attendance, excellent classroom behavior, and teacher
recommendation. The goal of this course is to prepare students with the potential to go to college, for the rigor of high school classes. The 8th grade course offers
students an opportunity to expand their background and general knowledge through writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. Students will also get college and career
exposure through field trips and class speakers. Additionally, a 7th grade class is offered with a focus on note taking, binder organization, time management, goal setting
and self-exploration. 8th grade students in AVID will focus on study strategies, note taking, organization, Socratic discussions, and creating a personal portfolio. This
course generally targets students who would be the first in their family to attend college.
BAND (BEGINNING) 6th/7th/8th- (Year) A year-long learning community for students who are interested in developing their beginning level skills on flute, clarinet,
trumpet, trombone, and tuba. Practice is required. Students will be able to audition for one of our percussionist positions after our Winter Concert. Students will
experience concert performances, recording sessions, and marching opportunities. In addition to our Winter and Spring concerts, we will march in the Town of Windsor
Parade, and may perform at the Windsor Town Green and for other schools in the Windsor Unified School District. Participation in music classes has been shown to
increase performance in math and language arts classes, and prepare students with 21st century job skills.
HONOR BAND – 7 /8 Grade (Year)**
**Prerequisite: Beginning Band, Honor Band or other experience – Teacher approval needed.** A year-long college preparatory learning community for students who
are interested in developing their advanced level skills on flute, clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and French horn, or percussion.
Practice is required. Students will experience concert performances, recording sessions, and band festivals. In addition to our Winter and Spring Concerts, we hope to
perform at the Analy Fall Festival and at Marine World. 8th grade Honor Band members will have the opportunity to attend the Sonoma Jump Start weekend retreat at
the Cazadero Music Camp. A class field trip to San Francisco to watch a performance by the San Francisco Symphony is also planned. Participation in music classes
has been shown to increase performance in math and language arts classes, and prepare students with 21st century job skills. Beginning Band, Honor Band or other
experience – Teacher approval needed.
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CHORUS (BEGINNING) -6 7th/8th Grade (Year) A year-long entry level learning community concentrating on vocal skills and techniques. We will sing music from a
wide variety of cultures, languages and styles. In addition to our Winter and Spring Concerts (attendance at concerts is mandatory), we will perform at the Town of
Windsor Tree Lighting Ceremony. Participation in music classes has been shown to increase performance in math and language arts classes, and prepare students with
21st century job skills. If you’ve always wanted to sing, but never had the nerve or the opportunity, this is your chance!
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CHORUS (ADVANCED)- 7th/8th Grade (Year)**
**Prerequisite: At least one year of experience in chorus or music classes. Admitted by audition and/or teacher approval** A performance group which continues to
learn vocal techniques, sight reading and other musical skills in order to perform more demanding music literature. Students will learn to sing three part harmony and will
have the opportunity to do some choreography. Many styles and languages are explored in the repertoire. Two major evening performances; attendance at concerts is
mandatory.
JOURNALISM – 6 /7 /8 Grade (Year)**
**Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA (no Ds or Fs), Language Arts teacher recommendation and your statement of interest in journalism describing any special talents or abilities
you have that relate to journalism, available in the office.** Journalism students must be able to work independently as well as cooperatively and collaboratively with their
fellow writers in reporting world, national, state, local and school news. Students will study the importance of journalism in regard to the First Amendment and focus on
key news criteria elements in reporting the news. Students will produce The Spartan Impact, our WMS paper.
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LEADERSHIP 7 /8 Grade (Year)**
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**Prerequisite: 2.5 GPA (No Ds or Fs), Teacher recommendation, complete an application (available in main office)** Help support our school by participating in
community service projects, organizing school events such as dances and fundraisers, and creating the yearbook. PLEASE NOTE: Approximately 15
students/grade level will be accepted into Leadership. Submit an application ONLY if it is your 1st choice—only 1st choice applicants
will be considered for Leadership.
LIBRARY AIDE - 8th Grade ONLY (Semester/Year) **
**Prerequisite: Pass an interview with librarian. Typing and computer skills are recommended.** Position includes helping in the organization and daily management
of the school library. Skills and interests needed include: the ability and willingness to organize and to follow directions; attention to detail and accuracy are important.
Willingness to help others and an interest in books are also needed.
OFFICE AIDE - 8th Grade ONLY (Semester/Year) **
**Prerequisite: Must complete and turn in Aide application, available in main office. Pass interview with office staff** Office aides are selected to assist the
secretary/clerks in the main office. They are responsible for answering/screening phone calls properly, running errands/messages to classes, filing and various other
tasks as they arise. Need responsible 8th grade students with good attendance, clean discipline record, cooperative, outgoing, willing to work hard and understand
"confidentiality" a must.
SPANISH A (BEGINNING) - 7th Grade ONLY (Year) **
**Prerequisite. A grade of "C" or better in Language Arts and at least a 2.5 overall GPA (no Ds or Fs), excellent attendance, excellent classroom behavior, and teacher
recommendation. ** This academic course is designed to be a beginning class in the acquisition of the Spanish language. Students can expect homework most days.
Emphasis will is placed on conversation, with attention to development of reading and writing skills, as well as grammar. This rigorous class is equivalent to the first
semester of Spanish I at Windsor High School. Students can expect daily homework.
SPANISH B (INTERMEDIATE) - 8th Grade ONLY (Year)**
**Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish A with a grade of C or better and signature from Spanish A teacher.** This rigorous course will cover basic elements of
grammar, along with continued emphasis on increasing vocabulary. Students will participate in activities that integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing in
Spanish. Students can expect daily homework. Successful completion of Spanish A and Spanish B, including teacher recommendation, will allow students to enroll in
Spanish 2 at Windsor High.
STRING ORCHESTRA – 7 /8 Grade (Year)**
**Prerequisite: Appointment/audition with teacher. Students must sight read music.** This performing group is composed of violins, violas, cello and string bass.
Emphasis is on becoming a better musician, learning more advanced music and techniques. Practice is required. Students experience many performance
opportunities, a trip to San Francisco to hear the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, performances and workshops with professional musicians and many other events.
Two evening performances are required. If 7th or 8th graders wish to begin a string instrument, they must commit to private lessons (with a teacher other than WMS
teacher) during the summer to reach a playing level equal to the students in orchestra. This includes reading music as it relates to the instrument of choice. Students
interested in starting viola, cello or string bass must provide their own instrument.
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TEACHER AIDE - 8th Grade ONLY (Semester/Year) **
**Prerequisite: Must complete and turn in Aide application, available in main office.** Students will assist teachers as needed. Job duties could include:
correcting/recording papers, producing classroom materials as needed, working with individual students.
EXPLORATORY ROTATION - 7th/8th Grade (Quarter or Semester)
Students will be assigned to a rotation—they will NOT be able to select which individual of courses they take. Not all classes listed
below will be offered, as they are based on available staffing. Exploratory Rotation may include 2 to 4 of the following courses:
MUSIC IN EDUCATION - Hands-on basic piano keyboard class. Note reading, theory, and music history. NOT a performing group.
HEALTH - This class focuses on ones overall wellness, including physical, social and mental/emotional health. These three components are part of what we call the
health triangle. Students will learn ways to balance their health triangle in order to achieve optimum wellness. Topics of study include: nutrition, physical health,
self-esteem/emotional health, decision making, conflict resolution, alcohol and tobacco use/abuse.
CAREER EXPLORATION - Students are randomly assigned an occupational role so they can see how schoolwork relates to occupational choices. Students learn to
budget time and money, see the value of a balanced lifestyle, community involvement, and lifelong learning. Students may have the opportunity to explore adult
realities such as taxes, living expenses, workplace environments, etc. through role-play activities.
COMPUTER LITERACY - Students will learn to touch type, use programs such as Word, Powerpoint, and/or Excel. Topics such as use/abuse of social media, ethics,
research tips, security, etc. may be explored.
INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH - Students will participate in a variety of pronunciation, listening and conversational activities. Emphasis will be placed on
conversational skills and elements of grammar.
EXPLORATION IN ENGINEERING - Research, design, build and test balsa wood towers, and bridges. Also includes study and analysis of the forces that affect them.
We also explore the various types of engineers and how they shape our world.
NATURAL HISTORY - Study and learn about components of our local natural environment. They will have an opportunity to research birds, fish, mammals,
wildflowers and trees. Class may include field trips and possible service learning projects.
DRAMA – Have fun learning to make sets and costumes, sing and dance, and do a performance at one of our elementary schools. No experience needed.
ART/DRAWING - Exercises and projects exploring line, color, texture, shape, pattern and form. Mediums can include chalk, pencil, crayon, ink, watercolor,
temperas, colored pencils and paper. Processes include drawing, painting, collage, and mosaic.