Descriptions of electives classes, listed in alphabetical order by course name.
All courses are a single trimester unless otherwise noted; students may take
the same course more than one time per school year.
Table of Contents
Art 6
Art 7
Choir 6
Choir 7/8
Computer Applications (6)
Computer Graphics (8)
Digital Design I (7/8)
Drama (6 and 7/8)
GT Elective
Instrumental Music – Beginner Band (6)
Instrumental Music – Concert Band (7)
Instrumental Music – Symphonic Band (8)
Instrumental Music – Orchestra 6
Instrumental Music – Orchestra (7/8)
Intro to STEM (7)
Literature in Film (7/8)
Mentorship (7/8)
Music 6
Musical Theatre (7/8)
Physical Education (6 and 7/8)
Pre-Engineering 6
Pre-Engineering 7
Pre-Engineering 8
Robotics (7/8)
Spanish 1 (8)
Teacher Assistant (7/8)
Tech Theatre
Video Game Design I (7/8)
Video Game Design II (7/8)
Visual Arts I (7/8)
Visual Arts II (7/8)
World Language and Cultures (7)
Art 6
Students will learn to connect, reflect, understand, and create through art. Students will create their own artwork, refine their techniques and strengthen their critical abilities using clay, paint, and pen and ink.
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Art 7
Students that wish to continue from sixth grade exploratory art will cover art history, design, drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, and careers in art.
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Choir 6
Students will have the opportunity to sing a variety of choral styles and develop vocal techniques for both male and female voices. There will be a required evening performance at the end of the trimester.
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Choir 7/8
Students will have the opportunity to participate fully in all the aspects of vocal ensemble. Students will develop skills in vocal production, choral singing, care of the voice, reading rhythms, and pitches. In addition, they will learn solfège, sight-singing, ear-training, posture, choreography, and prepare for performances on stage. There will be a required evening performance at the end of the trimester.
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Computer Applications (6)
Required once during 6th grade, students will explore a wide range of applications, including (but not limited to) word-processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and database programs, and they may also cover the use of electronic mail and desktop publishing. Students acquire knowledge of and experience in the proper and efficient use
of previously written software packages. This course also includes keyboarding skills.
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Computer Graphics (8)
Computer Graphics courses provide the opportunity for students to explore the capability of the computer to produce visual imagery and to apply graphic techniques to various fields, such as advertising, TV/video, and architecture. Typical course topics may include modeling, simulation, animation, and image retouching.
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Digital Design I (7)
In Digital Design I students make projects and solve problems in web design, game programming, 3D modeling, photo manipulation, and audio production. Students will learn about professional practices and explore college and career paths in these areas, which might include class visits from current professionals. This course can also include a student portfolio of digital work showing their creativity and problem-solving skill.
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Drama (6 and 7/8)
Students will study theater arts, which includes pantomime, monologue, using the voice, stage presence, lighting and sound, and theater history. Students will:
- Develop skills in pantomime and body control.
- Improve voice control in reading projection, articulation and inflection.
- Memorize and perform a monologue and a scene.
- Participate in production of a play as actor or technician.
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GT Elective
Required once during the year for students with an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), students choose projects, which may take many forms, and complete them under the supervision of a teacher. Projects involve planning, research, and a high degree of personal reflection. This class provides opportunities for independent, high achieving learners to explore areas of interest. This is a participatory class where students will be engaged in higher-level thinking and autonomous learning. The research process, project design and development, and presentation techniques go beyond the scope of conventional learning.
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Instrumental Music – Beginner Band (6)
Students in this year-long course will have the opportunity to improve their technique for playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments for the purpose of concert performances. There will be required evening performances at the school.
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Instrumental Music – Concert Band (7)
Students with at least one year of experience on a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument will continue in this year-long course to improve their technique for performance. Emphasis will be on literature, standards, and growth in technical skill. There will be required evening performances at the school.
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Instrumental Music – Symphonic Band (8)
Students with at least one year of experience on a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument will continue in this year-long course to improve their technique for performance. Emphasis will be on literature and growth in technical skill. There will be required evening performances the school.
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Instrumental Music – Orchestra 6
Students in this year-long course will develop their technique with string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments for the purpose of concert performances. There will be required evening performances at the school.
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Instrumental Music – Orchestra (7/8)
Students with at least one year of experience on their string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument will continue in this year-long course to develop their technique. Emphasis will be on literature, standards, and growth in technical skill. There will be required evening performances at the school.
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Intro to STEM (7)
Seventh grade students in Technology Student Association may take this second-trimester course to have structured time during the school day to work on the design problems and products they will be taking to state competitive events in February and and national competitive events over the summer. The design process is a key component of this project-based class. There will be a required overnight trip to the Colorado TSA State Conference in late February.
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Literature in Film (7/8)
Students will be challenged to look at a film as a literary piece of work by analyzing and connecting the visual elements of a film to the elements of a novel. Students will understand how visual effects translate into
the written word by analyzing both film and novel.
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Mentorship (7/8)
Students will develop group problem-solving skills and strategies for helping make lasting connections between students with and without disabilities in the school community. It may also be used as a class that focuses on developing leadership skills, organizing school-wide activities, and activities which model positive, respectful and extraordinary behavior.
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Music 6
Students will be exposed to a wide range of musical concepts: basic theory, history and appreciation through audio and video examples, hands-on activities and small presentations learning how to answer the question, “What is music?'.
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Musical Theatre (7/8)
Students will learn about the history of musical theater, watch portions of musicals from different eras and critique and discuss them. Students will have the opportunity to create their own musical idea at the end of the trimester.
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Physical Education (6 and 7/8)
Students will develop and enhance a wide variety of physical skills and activities, along with increasing overall fitness levels including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular
endurance, agility, flexibility, and motor coordination. Students will have opportunities to develop a positive attitude toward physical activity, build a positive self-image, increase cognitive knowledge of health-related fitness, promote teamwork, and encourage good sportsmanship. Students are expected to dress out in activity-appropriate clothing (a PE t-shirt is part of school fees) and participate to the best of their ability on a daily basis.
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Pre-Engineering 6
Students will be introduced to the engineering design process. In this project-based format, students will build computer apps, design and build CO2 cars for competition, and apply engineering principles to build bridges.
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Pre-Engineering 7
Students will explore technology-oriented applications of mathematics and science their study of design and the production process. Students will also use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and investigate future careers in technology and engineering.
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Pre-Engineering 8
Students will explore technology-oriented applications of mathematics and science to their study of design and the production process. Students will also use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and investigate future careers in technology and engineering.
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Robotics (7/8)
Students will develop and expand their skills and knowledge so that they can design and develop robotic devices. Topics covered in the course may include mechanics, electrical and motor controls, pneumatics, computer basics, and programmable logic controllers.
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Spanish 1 (8)
Students in this year-long elective will acquire basic grammar and syntax, simple vocabulary, and the spoken accent so that students can read, write, speak, and understand the Spanish language at a basic level within predictable areas of need, using customary courtesies and conventions. Spanish culture is introduced through the art, literature, customs, and history of Spanish-speaking people. Successful completion of this course will credit students with the high school equivalent of Spanish 1 and allow students to take Spanish 2 in ninth grade.
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Teacher's Assistant (7/8)
Historically, students that want to be a teacher's assistant for a trimester request pre-approval by the teacher, librarian, or main office staff where they would like to assist during elective selection/registration. For the 2020-2021 school year, students are asked to indicate their choice but their choice is not guaranteed.
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Tech Theatre
Students will learn about aspects of theater production that take place off the stage: sound, lighting, basic set design and costume design. Guest speakers that work in the field will visit the class. Field trips may be offered during the course.
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Video Game Design I (7/8)
Students learn how to design, write, and test software using object-oriented software development environments. Students are introduced to the concept of humane game design and explore how computer programs and games can be used to communicate values, ideas, and thoughts. Students explore the idea of game and how this transfers to computers. Students learn how to convert their ideas into visual, audio, and story assets for their game software. Topics covered include fundamental design processes, use of variables in programming, program control and flow features, iterative statements, and incorporating files and graphics into software.
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Video Game Design II (8)
Students that have completed Video Game Design I will build upon the concepts, design fundamentals and programming as they continue to learn how to use professional software for game design. The course will include advanced programming and writing of scripts to enhance their video game.
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Visual Art 1 (7/8)
Visual Arts 1 provides students with the foundational knowledge and opportunity to explore an art for or variety of art forms and to create individual works of art. Initial courses cover language, materials, and processes of a particular art form and the design elements and principles supporting a work of art. Although Visual Arts Level 1 courses focus on creation, they may also include the study of major artists, art movements, and styles. The course may also provide a discussion and exploration of career opportunities in the art world.
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Visual Art 2 (7/8)
Students that have completed Visual Arts 1 continue building knowledge and opportunities to continue to explore an art form or variety of art forms and to create individual works of art. As students have become more adept, the instruction regarding the creative process becomes more refined, and students are encouraged to develop their own artistic styles. Although VSA2 courses focus on creation, they may also include the study of major artists, art movements, and styles. The course may also provide a discussion and exploration of career opportunities in the art world.
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World Language and Cultures (7)
This course, required once during seventh grade unless a student is taking another required elective (GT Elective, Study Skills, Reading Strategies, etc.), introduces phrases and cultures from a variety of languages in order to introduce languages and the idea of second language acquisition to students. This course may emphasize recognition of written words, vocabulary, speech patterns and grammar as well as cultural aspects (major events, foods, art, etc.).
West Jefferson Middle School reserves the right to change course offerings
based on enrollment and staffing.