• 6th Grade Electives

    Year Long Electives

    Beginning Band (Year Long Class) 

    A course designed for students with little or no experience with wind or percussion instruments. Instruction will strengthen the necessary skills to qualify for Advanced Band. Emphasis is on the fundamentals of note and rhythm reading, tone production, and concert experience. Large and more expensive instruments will be provided, as available. Some rehearsals and performances outside of class time are also components of this elective.

    Selection Criteria: Based on interest

     

    Choir (Year Long Class) 

    Through enrollment in Choir, students develop skills to sing correctly and learn the basics of good musicianship through music theory, part-singing, various choral techniques, balance, and blending. The group performs at district music festivals, school and community concerts, and more! 

    Selection Criteria: Based on interest

     

    AVID 6 -  Application link

    The 6th-grade AVID Elective course is an introduction to the AVID philosophy. Students will develop an awareness of the values accompanying academic goals and success. The course will focus on building students’ self-confidence and communication skills in working with peers and adults.  Students will be exposed to reading strategies that will assist them in building vocabulary and understanding a variety of texts and will also focus on pre-writing techniques, summary writing, and structural components of note-taking. Students will increase college and career awareness through guest-speaker presentations, field-trip opportunities, and research. 

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 6th-grade students; Application and selection process required. 

     

    Elective Exploration 

    (Semester Long Elective Offerings)

    The Exploratory Wheel Rotation gives students two elective experiences throughout the year.  Classes MAY include: 

    • Industrial Tech (Woodshop)

    • Computer Apps 

    • Coding/ Robotics 

    • AVID skills

    • Public Speaking 

    • Visual Art (Digital or Drawing/Painting)

    NOTE: Elective offerings are subject to change pending staff expertise and schedule.

     

    7th and 8th Grades Electives

    YEAR-LONG ELECTIVES

    AVID 7 - Application link 

    The 7th grade AVID elective course builds upon the foundational components of the AVID Philosophy. Students will refine short-and long-term goals and, as a result, begin to understand the value in taking charge of their actions.  They will start working on intrapersonal and interpersonal skills as well as formal and informal speech. Students will complete self-evaluations and peer evaluations related to reading, writing, organization, and speaking. In broadening their writing, students will begin considering audience, purpose and form in their writing. Students will take an active role in their learning,they will expand their knowledge base around notetaking in relation to studying and test preparation. Students will be exposed to various field trips, guest speakers, and research to increase their knowledge for college and career options.  

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 7th-grade students; Application and selection process required. 

     

    AVID 8 -  Application link

    The 8th grade AVID elective course is the year of preparation for high school. Students will regularly exhibit and utilize the skills and strategies learned in the 6th and 7th grade AVID courses. They will refine previous goals, focusing on their transition to high school as a part of their college preparatory path. The writing will focus on completing all steps of the writing process and varying style, word choice, vocabulary, structure, and voice. Students will transition from active learners to leaders. Other areas of focus include increasing the use of technology and building upon test-preparation and knowledge. Students will broaden their experience with analyzing text and utilizing appropriate reading strategies in various settings. They will become more involved in guest-speaker presentations and field trips. Students will also participate in college-preparatory testing and build connections with the high school they will attend.  

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 8th-grade students; Application and selection process required. 

     

    LEADERSHIP

     

    Leadership: ASB Mr. Vanatta's "What is Leadership?"  (right click)

    The Leadership class is designed to provide students with the skills and tools necessary to realize their potential as positive forces on our campus and in society.  The focus is on instilling students with the mindset of putting the needs of Spring View and others before their own.  Some of the Leadership class responsibilities are: spirit days, school dances, Sparty Party assemblies, lunchtime activities, poster advertising, and school climate.  In the Leadership class students develop skills to carry out the responsibilities necessary to create a fun, spirited, positive, inclusive environment on our campus.  Students have the flexibility to be creative, innovative, and to think outside the box.  Leadership students become agents of change both in the present moment and well into the future.

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 7th & 8th grade students; Application and selection process required. 

     

    PERFORMING ARTS 

    Band, Beginning (Year) 

    An introductory course in how to play a band instrument. It is designed for students who have had little or no formal music instruction.You may select from Flute, Oboe Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, or Percussion (drums). You will learn basics in tone, musicianship, and music literacy (reading and understanding music). This class is a prerequisite for Advanced Band. There are performing opportunities including three concerts on campus. Correct playing position, characteristic tone quality, basic note reading, rhythmic value, appropriate vocabulary, and instrument care are stressed. 

    Selection Criteria:  Based on interest and a passion for learning a musical instrument. (Mr.McKay)

     

    Band, Intermediate/Advanced (Year) 

    This course is designed for the advanced band student who wishes to continue musical growth with a focus on ensemble performance. The instrumentalist continues to build principles of musicianship, harmonic and rhythmic fundamentals, appropriate vocabulary, and ensemble skills through appropriate music literature. This group performs at district music festivals, school and community concerts, and other approved performances. 

    Selection Criteria:  At least one full year of playing experience with a performing group required.  Teacher approval required. (Mr. McKay)

     

    Concert Choir (Year) 

    Through enrollment in Choir, students develop skills to sing correctly and learn the basics of good musicianship through music theory, part-singing, various choral techniques, balance, and blend. You will learn the basics of good vocal production, musicianship, and music literacy (reading and understanding music). This class is a prerequisite for Vocal Ensemble. There are performing opportunities that include three concerts on campus. The group performs at district music festivals, school and community concerts, and other approved performances.  

    Selection Criteria: Based on interest and a passion to sing. (Mr. McKay)

     

    Vocal Ensemble (Year)

    This is a premier performing ensemble. In this class you will work on good vocal production, musicianship, music literacy at the highest level. You will learn leadership skills within a musical setting. Requires successful completion of Concert Choir and/or an audition, plus approval from the director. We perform high level music and participate in several performances on and off campus, festivals, and field trips throughout the year.

    Selection Criteria: At least one full year of choir experience with a performing group required.  Teacher approval required. (Mr. McKay)

     

    ADDITIONAL YEAR-LONG ELECTIVE CHOICES

     

    Digital Photography Mrs. Holder's "What is Digital Photography?" (right click)

    This course introduces students to the fundamentals of photography, including camera functions and photo composition. Students will learn what it takes to create a good photograph and how to improve photographs using photo-editing software. Through a variety of assigned projects, students will engage their creativity by photographing a range of subjects and learning to see the world through the lens of their cameras. Using the skills they have gained they will be able to create their own personal digital portfolio.

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 7th & 8th grade students

     

    Yearbook Mrs. Holder's "What is Yearbook?"(right click)

    In this course students will gain skills in page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, editing and photography while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. There is an emphasis on photography techniques. They will also learn real world skills, such as time management, marketing, teamwork and design principles.  Some work will be required outside of class time and after school for dances, sports, etc.  

    Selection Criteria: Open to all 7th & 8th grade students.  Application (parent signature required) and selection process required. Students must maintain all O’s and S’s and have above a 2.0 with no D’s or F’s.

     

    Robotics 

    This course provides an introduction to robotics for students with no programming background using LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kits. Students will learn to construct, control and program robots through investigative and exploration activities. Teamwork and collaboration are an important component in this class.  Students will learn to work as a team and communicate with each other toward a common goal.

    Selection Criteria: Based on interest. Priority to 8th grade.

     

    Teacher/Office Aide (Year) 

    The teacher/office/library aide program is designed to offer students the experience of learning basic workplace and clerical skills as they assist in the completion of classroom or office operations. Tasks could include checking off papers, stapling, delivering messages, putting up bulletin boards, and much more. Participation is a privilege available to 7th and 8th graders. Students may not request teachers. Administration will assign accepted applications to teachers, or to the office.

    Selection Criteria:   Application LINK

     

    Library Aide (Year)

    Help with the daily maintenance and operations of the school library. Under the direction of the School Library Specialist, student aides may help check in returned books, shelve books, straighten shelves, create signs and displays, dust, wipe tables, and take inventory. Student aides may also be asked to run errands on campus such as delivering books to classrooms. Aides may also help with weeding (removing outdated or damaged books) and processing new books.

    Selection Criteria:   Application LINK

     

    ELECTIVE EXPLORATION 

    (Semester-long Elective rotations) 

    The Elective Exploration gives students two elective experiences throughout the year.  Classes MAY include: 

    • Public Speaking

    • Geography

    • Robotics 

    • Publications & Journalism

    • Industrial Tech (WoodShop)

    • Environmental Science (Garden)

    • Music appreciation 

    • Visual Arts (Digital or Drawing and Painting)

    NOTE: Elective offerings are subject to change pending staff credentialing and scheduling.