Stella Schola Middle SchoolElectives
Students at Stella Schola Middle School take a solid course of rigorous classes which are integrated on specific chronologically organized historical themes. Students may choose from the following age-appropriate electives, which are taken at Rose Hill Middle School. Based on our charter agreement, band and PE are guaranteed to be available every year, other electives may be subject to change. The Semester an elective is held is subject to change between 1st and 2nd Semester.
A. Year-long PE or
B. Year-long Band or
A. Year-long PE or
B. Year-long Band or
EIGHTH GRADE:
D. Year-long Band or
6th GRADE ELECTIVES
PE 6th Grade (Year-long)
Students develop competence in skillful movement in game situations and in a variety of recreational activities. They transition from modified versions of movement forms to more complex applications across all types of activities. Students demonstrate the ability to assume responsibility for guiding their own learning as they apply their knowledge and abilities to create a practice plan to improve performance in selected physical activities. Students are able to set goals, track progress and participate in these activities to improve health-related fitness. Fitness is a great choice for students who enjoy being active, as there is no longer recess in middle school.
This course is for any grade level student who would like to begin playing a Violin, Viola, Cello or String Bass, or for students of any grade level who have previously participated in an elementary string orchestra program or have taken private lessons for at least one year. The school year is filled with field trips traveling to performance opportunities! Here is an opportunity for students to gain confidence in public performance, develop self-discipline and responsibility, plus organizational skills in an ensemble setting, while experiencing fun with friends in quality music performances. Intermediate concert music and instrumental technique will be emphasized as a means for developing the ability to think and learn, as well as to communicate, collaborate and enjoy music with fellow musicians as a way to connect to a smaller community. Regular home practice and concert attendance are required. All participants in this music course are required to purchase an ASB card. Student participation in fundraisers may also be necessary to help fund field trips. Prerequisite: one year of playing experience on a stringed instrument
7th GRADE ELECTIVES
PE 7th Grade (Year-Long)
The goal of the course is to develop a lifetime appreciation of 7th grader’s physical health to develop an understanding of how physical activity is a positive emotional release. The curriculum emphasizes team sports, lifelong recreational activities, and cooperative activities that involve students of all ability levels in participation. Social interaction fosters good sportsmanship & increases mental and physical health. Students recognize that physical activity is a lifetime pursuit in remaining physically, mentally and socially healthy. Students, through participation, develop a positive self-concept, self-discipline, team building & leadership.
Band 7th Grade (Year-long)
Symphonic Band is an advanced band course where students will become better musicians as they learn new concert music, pop music, marches, and pep band music. As part of the school band, students will perform at concerts and on field trips. Concert attendance is required as well as participation in all performances and field trips. Students in this class learn individual instrumental technique and develop large ensemble skills. Students will study through "Tradition of Excellence Book 3." Note: Students must provide their own instrument. All participants in this music course are required to purchase an ASB card. Student participation in fundraisers may also be necessary to help fund field trips.
Orchestra 7th Grade (Year-long)
This course is designed to “move it up to the next level” for the advanced string player. Participation in the Concert Orchestra last year is a prerequisite for Symphonic Orchestra unless the student can
demonstrate basic sight-reading skill, beginning theory and technical ability. Advanced concert music and instrumental technique will be emphasized as a means for developing the ability to think, learn,
communicate, collaborate and enjoy music with fellow musicians as a way to connect to a smaller community. If you are not sure which ensemble to join, contact the orchestra teacher, who will help you decide which ensemble is best for you. Teacher permission with possible auditions are required. All participants in this music course are required to purchase an ASB card. Student participation in fundraisers may also be necessary to help fund fields trips.
Computer Science for Makers:
Students learn about “making” for the physical world by blending hardware and software development. After a basic introduction to electronics and programming, students code microcomputers to respond to and control various input and output devices. Example projects include interactive art, candy dispensers, bike safety devices, and remote-control robot cars. This course is part of the Computer Science program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video
3D Art:
3D art class is an amazing mixed-media class where we can create art out of almost anything. We will sculpt with clay, wire, tissue paper, and paper mache, as well as study some of the best sculptors in the world. We will also create junk art, where we sculpt with recycled materials. We will learn about the origins of pottery and the different stages of clay art. Clay projects include pinch pots, coiled vases, and thrown pots on the potter's wheel. This class is repeatable from one year to the next in order to progress through a spectrum of artistic skills.
Course Fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video
Robotics:
Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using a robotics platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms and more. Participate in a variety of robotic projects as you experience the jobs of a Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineer. Apply the design process as you use industry-leading technology, learn sketching techniques, measuring and dimensioning, and computer modeling fundamentals necessary to solve an engineering problem. Design mechanical and automated systems that meet desired needs within realistic constraints. This course is part of the STEM program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver)
Foods of the World:
If you would like to travel the world together—tasting the different kinds of foods from many cultures, this is the class for you! This semester course is designed for the student who wishes to prepare a variety of foods originating from all over the world. Students will have the opportunity to research and explore various regions of the world studying patterns of family meals, regional customs and food origins, and cooking techniques and equipment unique to various countries. Various preparation techniques reflecting a variety of regional ethnic cooking styles will also be demonstrated as an essential part of the class. Sign up for this class if you enjoy tasting foods! This course is part of the Human Services program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $25 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video
8th GRADE ELECTIVES
Spanish 1 Year-long CADR High School Credit Course
Prerequisite
2.5 GPA for first semester in seventh grade and a “C” or higher first semester grade in English/Language Arts 7
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the study of the Spanish language, stressing the four basic skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The skills will be learned by practicing
pronunciation, studying vocabulary and grammar. The students will also engage in dialogues and conversations in order to practice speaking. Culture will be studied by exploring music, everyday customs, history and geography. A world language course taken in the eighth grade may satisfy one
year of the university entrance requirement if the second year is completed in high school. Please refer to individual university requirements. There may be a workbook fee required for this course.
French 1 Year-long CADR High School Credit Course
Prerequisite
2.5 GPA for first semester in seventh grade and a “C” or higher first semester grade in English/Language Arts 7
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the study of the French language, stressing the four basic skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The skills will be learned by practicing
pronunciation, studying vocabulary and grammar. The students will also engage in dialogues and conversations in order to practice speaking. Culture will be studied by exploring music, everyday customs, history and geography. A world language course taken in the eighth grade may satisfy one
year of the university entrance requirement if the second year is completed in high school. Please refer to individual university requirements. There may be a workbook fee required for this course.
PE 8th Grade (year-long)
All students participate in daily activities that will enhance healthy lifestyles. The class provides knowledge and activities to explore personal fitness. Each students’ personal fitness level is assessed via a standardized fitness test and students will establish fitness goals based on those results. Significant time is devoted to develop cardiovascular fitness, and each student will participate in a variety of aerobic activities once a week. Fitness and sports concepts that promote a lifelong healthy lifestyle will be emphasized. Activities include: flag football, soft lacrosse, speed away, team handball, badminton, strength training, basketball, volleyball, tennis, aerobics and golf.
Band 8th Grade (Year-long)
Wind Ensemble is the most advanced band course for 8th graders. Students will become better musicians as they learn new concert music, pop music, marches, and pep band music. This course is designed to move it up to the next level for the advanced instrumentalist. As a part of the school band, students will perform at concerts and on field trips. Students in this class learn individual technique and develop large ensemble skills. Students will play more advanced music and will study through the book "Foundations for a Superior Performance." Concert attendance is required as well as participation in all performances and field trips. Note: Students must provide their own instrument. All participants in this music course are required to purchase an ASB card. Student participation in fundraisers may also be necessary to help fund field trips.
Orchestra 8th Grade (Year-long)
This course is designed to “move you up to the next level” for the advanced string player. It is now time to stretch your well earned ability and reach for the stars in this ensemble. Participation in the Symphonic Orchestra or a middle school Orchestra last year is a prerequisite for Chamber Ensemble unless the student can demonstrate intermediate sight-reading skill, theory and technical ability. Advanced orchestra music and instrumental technique will be emphasized as a means for developing the ability to think, learn, communicate, collaborate and enjoy music with fellow musicians as a way to connect to a smaller community. If you are not sure which ensemble to join, contact the orchestra teacher, who will help you decide which ensemble is best for you. All participants in this music course are required to purchase an ASB card. Student participation in fundraisers may also be necessary to help fund fields trips.
Computer Science for Makers:
Students learn about “making” for the physical world by blending hardware and software development. After a basic introduction to electronics and programming, students code microcomputers to respond to and control various input and output devices. Example projects include interactive art, candy dispensers, bike safety devices, and remote-control robot cars. This course is part of the Computer Science program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video
Robotics:
Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using a robotics platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms and more. Participate in a variety of robotic projects as you experience the jobs of a Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineer. Apply the design process as you use industry-leading technology, learn sketching techniques, measuring and dimensioning, and computer modeling fundamentals necessary to solve an engineering problem. Design mechanical and automated systems that meet desired needs within realistic constraints. This course is part of the STEM program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver)
3D Art:
3D art class is an amazing mixed-media class where we can create art out of almost anything. We will sculpt with clay, wire, tissue paper, and paper mache, as well as study some of the best sculptors in the world. We will also create junk art, where we sculpt with recycled materials. We will learn about the origins of pottery and the different stages of clay art. Clay projects include pinch pots, coiled vases, and thrown pots on the potter's wheel. This class is repeatable from one year to the next in order to progress through a spectrum of artistic skills.
Course Fee: $20 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video
Foods of the World:
If you would like to travel the world together—tasting the different kinds of foods from many cultures, this is the class for you! This semester course is designed for the student who wishes to prepare a variety of foods originating from all over the world. Students will have the opportunity to research and explore various regions of the world studying patterns of family meals, regional customs and food origins, and cooking techniques and equipment unique to various countries. Various preparation techniques reflecting a variety of regional ethnic cooking styles will also be demonstrated as an essential part of the class. Sign up for this class if you enjoy tasting foods! This course is part of the Human Services program pathway in high school.
Course fee: $25 for supplies used in class. (See counselor for needs-based fee waiver) Course video