Killian Middle School

Elective Course Descriptions

General Scheduling Guidelines to be followed: • Please carefully consider your academic courses. Consult with teachers and/or counselors about appropriate courses. • Schedule changes will be considered prior to June. Parent signature is necessary for changes. Schedule changes made after

the school year begins will require principal approval and is subject to class size availability.

For more complete information about courses and a comprehensive guide to middle school curriculum, please read the LISD Middle School Course Description Guide. Use this QR Code! ________________________________________________________________________________ Fine Arts: Art I (7th & 8th) – This full year course is the foundation for all other art courses. No prior drawing skills are necessary. The elements and the principles of design are emphasized through a variety of projects and problems in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, drawing, painting, and ceramics. There is an art fee for this course. Art 2 (7th) – Prerequisite: One year of middle school art with teacher recommendation/ application. This course provides students an opportunity to further develop their art skills. Higher-level thinking skills are challenged with design and composition projects that use a variety of drawing media, techniques and themes. Preparation of a portfolio is required. There is an art fee for this course. *HS Art I (8th only) – Prerequisite: One or two years of middle school art with teacher recommendation. This full year course is the equivalent to the high school Art 1 course, and will receive 1 fine arts high school credit. The elements and principles of design are explored at a more advanced level through a variety of projects in all types of art medium. Preparation of a portfolio is required. There is an art fee for this course. *Requires an application. Art Appreciation / Graphic Art - This full year course explores digital photography, image editing using Photoshop CS6, composition, and the elements of design. Students will learn how to take quality photos with respect to natural lighting, various custom settings using DSLRs, and experimentation in the manual setting. Students will also explore a variety of works and styles of art from different eras and how they have impacted the art world. Choir (7th & 8th) - The course is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn to sing in a group setting and lead students to acquire the skills needed for satisfactory performance. Students are required to attend scheduled rehearsals and events. Choir choices include: 7th/8th Boys Choir, 7th/8th Girls Choir, and 8th Varsity Girls Choir (Audition). Band (7th & 8th) – The course is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn to play instrumental music in a group setting and lead students to acquire the skills needed for satisfactory performance. Students must rent or own instruments and are required to attend scheduled rehearsals and events. Students with experience will be placed in Concert, Symphonic, or Honor Band based on their audition with the Directors. Orchestra (7th & 8th) - The course is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn to play instrumental music in a group setting and lead students to acquire the skills needed for satisfactory performance. Students must rent or own instruments and are required to attend scheduled rehearsals and events. Students with experience will be placed in the appropriate Orchestra based on audition. Students without previous experience may meet with the director to select a beginning instrument class. Theatre (7th & 8th) - Theatre 7/8 is a continuation of the introductory elements of Acting and Technical knowledge from Theatre I-6th. As the year progresses, material continues to grow into more advanced knowledge and skills to prepare the students for the professional aspects of the industry. Theatre I-6th experience is preferred but not required.

Advanced Theatre & Production (7th & 8th)- Prerequisite: Previous theater experience and teacher approval This full year performance course takes all knowledge previously learned in theatre and integrates it at a professional level to create theatrical productions performed for the public. This class also completes in UIL Theatre events throughout the year and students must maintain UIL eligibility. Students are expected to attend after school rehearsals. *Requires an audition. ________________________________________________________________________________ Languages other than English (LOTE): * Spanish 1 (7th and 8th Only) Spanish 1 is an introductory course in the Spanish language and culture. During this course, the students will develop speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in Spanish around topics related to the everyday life of a student. The students will use Spanish in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication modes as the basis for meeting the TEKS. The students will gain an understanding of culturally appropriate responses and practices. This course is conducted in Spanish a significant amount of time. This course counts for high school credit. * Spanish 2 (8th Only) Spanish II continues to introduce students to Spanish language and culture. During this course, the students will continue to develop speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in Spanish that expand on topics beyond the everyday life of the student into the real world. The students will use Spanish in the context of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication modes. The students will use culturally appropriate responses and practices. This course is conducted in Spanish a significant amount of time. This course counts for high school credit. *Spanish III Pre-AP Language and Culture (prerequisite is Spanish II Pre-AP) (usually 7th) – Spanish III for Spanish Speakers further develops students’ proficiency in all four language skills. This accelerated course emphasizes high level/critical thinking, reading, and writing utilizing cross-curricular contexts as well as Hispanic literature and texts. Speaking and listening proficiencies are refined and further developed. Connections between first language skills and second language acquisition are targeted. This course is conducted in Spanish. This course counts for high school credit. *Spanish IV AP Language and Culture (prerequisite is Spanish III Pre-AP) (8th grade) – This course is a continuation of Pre-AP Spanish III. Specific Advanced Placement test-taking strategies, such as oral narration, advanced reading and listening comprehension and expository writing, are added to the course of study. Students study and analyze current events, literary texts, and social issues. Students will be prepared for and take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam. This course is conducted in Spanish. This course counts for high school credit. ______________________________________________________________________________ Career and Technology Courses: Video Tech This full year course is designed to introduce students to cinematography, video & audio editing, and a variety of digital media. Students will explore a variety of styles of published media and how it has been utilized in marketing. Students will learn how to implement cloud computing, develop good composition and communicate with a variety of audiences using digital video. Students will learn how to use Final Cut Pro X. No fee is required but the course requires a 1:X or BYOT device. Food & Nutrition / Clothing & Textiles (7th & 8th) – Food & Nutrition: Foods and Nutrition is an introduction to the importance of food as a nutritional resource for the body. Students will discover the importance of the essential nutrients for the body and what each does to provide good health. Food preparation and cooking labs are both integral parts of this course. Clothing & Textiles: This introductory course focuses on the fashion, textiles, and apparel industries. Topics will include: apparel manufacturing, consumerism, fiber and textile selection, garment design and construction. Sewing labs and use of sewing machines in the construction of clothing/garments are both utilized. There is a $15.00 supply fee, plus sewing supplies. *Principles of Human Service (8th Grade Only) – This comprehensive laboratory course will enable students to investigate skills and techniques that positively affect their lifestyle choices with a focus on developing positive personal relationships and investigating careers in human services; This laboratory course addresses nutrition, food choices, and food management. Instruction includes food habits and wellness, menu planning, food costs and budgeting, consumer buying strategies, food safety and sanitation, and careers relating to the food industry. This course receives one (1) high school elective credit.

Technology Education (7th & 8th) – There are four courses that make up the possible offering for Technology Education. Each of these courses is one semester in length, and we will combine two of them to make a year-long class based on the preference of the majority of students: Designing and Building Model Bridges, Cars & Rockets – This 18 week Technology Education course is a project-based and collaborative opportunity to explore different engineering fields. Modules will include: introduction to engineering, engineering design, mechanical engineering/simple machines, environmental engineering/solar and wind energy/weather, aeronautical engineering/flight, civil engineering/towers and bridges, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering. Projects will range from using common household items for creative problem-solving to computer simulations for construction activities. Robotics – In this 18 week course the basic concepts of robotics is covered as well as the science behind them. Foundations, History, Basic Robots Creation, and Challenge, are the 4 units of study covered in this semester long course. An investigation into careers related to the field is included in the Foundations unit Gaming – This is an 18 week course in which the learner covers 4 major units of study. Foundations, Game Creation Basics 1, Game Creation Basics 2 and Careers will be covered in the semester long course. Software and web based programs are used to introduce students to basic computer game creating and career fields within the industry. Forensics: CSI & YOU – This is an 18 week survey course taking students from an introduction of forensics and science to the technology in use today and differentiate the facts from the fiction seen on TV. Both criminal justice and government service components are included. ________________________________________________________________________________ Other Electives Courses: AVID (7th and 8th)- AVID (Achievement Via Internal Determination) is an ideal elective for the academic “middle” –B, C, and even D students–with the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Typically, these students will be the first in their families to attend college, and come from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum, but are falling short of their potential. Strengthening their writing, inquiry, critical thinking, and organizational and reading skills is what the AVID program is all about. AVID motivates students and provides the skills and confidence to reach their goals. AVID’s goal is to prepare all students for college. *Requires application and interview. Yearbook (7th & 8th) – Students in this class will design layouts, learn and apply photography concepts, write captions, edit, and learn about each step of the yearbook publishing process. Students should be proficient in proofreading, spelling, and grammar. Students must be willing to be a team player. Students are required to attend before and after-school events for photography and interview opportunities. *Requires an application and interview. Circle of Friends – Circle of Friends establishes friendships between students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers through inclusive meaningful participation in school activities. This program provides the opportunity for students to acquire, practice and improve social/conversation skills and problem solving strategies in a real world environment, which increases self-esteem and self-help skills. *Requires application and interview. Outdoor Trails (7th & 8th) - Students are offered education in the areas of hunting, fishing, hiking, nature recognition, archery and cooking. The students will feel safe and positive about their learning environment and demonstrate appropriate life skills that have exemplified proper mentoring in these fields of study. Students may only take this course once during middle school. Student Aide (8th only) – Aide positions are for 8th grade students who would like to assist in the front office or the library. Aides will be directly involved in a variety of activities such as delivering passes, sorting mail, and filing. In the library they will help pull books for class projects and manage the checkout system. Aides are selected on the basis of their attendance, application, teacher recommendation, and their availability for a particular period in the schedule. *Requires an application and teacher recommendations.