Elective Courses
Elective courses in Art and Music provide students with the opportunity to explore and express their creativity through visual and auditory mediums.

Forecasting Process

Forecasting is choosing electives for next school year. Electives are graded, academic choice classes that help enrich student’s learning and explore their interests and strengths. The grading scale is letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) as with other core academic classes. The electives that are offered in the schedule are based on the forecasting requests from the spring of the previous school year. To maximize the chances of all students getting into their primary forecast selections, we rotate electives every trimester. Therefore, your student will choose 6 primary electives they wish to take, and 4 alternate elective options. Alternative elective options are alternate classes students would be willing to take if their primary elective is not available due to a scheduling conflict or not offered.

Please review the elective course descriptions on the following pages with your student. You will choose 6 primary elective classes and 4 alternate elective classes. You will submit your forecasting selections using a Google Form, of which you will automatically receive a copy.
Please keep that copy for your records.

Schedule Change Policy and Procedure

The SMS schedule is built based on student forecasting/requests in the spring. These requests dictate which classes we offer and when. It is a priority for us that all students have their primary choice classes during one of the three trimesters during the school year.

However, it is possible your students’ primary choice was not forecasted for enough by students and therefore may not be offered. Thus, if primary choice requests cannot be made due to scheduling conflicts, then students will be placed in the alternative classes they selected during forecasting. Only changes based on academic placement or a mistake will be made.

Other Course Considerations:
Some courses have a class size capacity due to classroom capacity and/or supply/material limitations.

Some courses are yearlong (Leadership, ECoS, Band, and Choir). Students who forecast for a yearlong course are expected to stay in that course for the year.

Curriculum Handbooks

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2024-2025 SMS Curriculum Handbook

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2024-2025 Manual de Currículo de SMS

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Information

Curriculum

Elective Courses

Academic Enrichment

AVID Study Skills 7

Students will learn AVID study skill strategies for improving academic skills that enhance student learning. Such skills include note-taking, time-management, organization strategies, self-advocacy, etc. While there will be time to work on assignments from core classes, there will also be assignments/activities that have students practice and learn new skills for academic success.

AVID Study Skills 8

Students will learn AVID study skill strategies for improving academic skills that enhance student learning. Such skills include note-taking, time-management, organization strategies, self-advocacy, etc. While there will be time to work on assignments from core classes, there will also be assignments/activities that have students practice and learn new skills for academic success.

Math Enrichment

In math enrichment, students work on math individually, in small groups, and as a whole-group class. This can include working on assignments for a current math class, reviewing or reteaching what’s currently happening in math class, or working on more fundamental skills from earlier grade levels to help support math class. Students do not forecast for Math Enrichment. Instead, data from the iReady Diagnostic, classroom progress, student learning profiles and ongoing curriculum-based measurements are used to determine who attends these classes. Students are monitored closely to track growth and progress. Students are evaluated each trimester to determine if they stay in the intervention class or are exited.

Reading Enrichment

In reading enrichment, the curriculum is designed to meet the students at their ability level. Teachers reteach concepts that are presented in the grade level courses. These strategies are key in developing confidence, independence and ultimately gaining academic success.
Students do not forecast for Reading Enrichment. Instead, data from the iReady Diagnostic, classroom progress, student learning profiles and ongoing curriculum-based measurements are used to determine who attends these classes. Students are monitored closely to track
growth and progress. Students are evaluated each trimester to determine if they stay in the intervention class or are exited.

Applied Science

ECoS - 8th Grade Only

Experiential adventure-learning class that is your 8th grade Science credit and also counts as an elective. ECoS is a yearlong, two-hour block class during the last two periods of the day, and includes several weekend/evening trips to locations all around Oregon: camping, hiking, backpacking, caving, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, surfing, rock climbing and more! This class is for motivated students who enjoy learning science and new skills in diverse environments and stepping out of their comfort zones with a community of learners. Application process and teacher approval is required.
Contact Mr. Geisen or Mr. Jensen for more information: [email protected] or [email protected]
Application due: March 30, 2023

Career Technology

Steam - Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math

We use it all in this fun and active class. Projects involve hands-on creations as well as computer integration. Students will use block programming platforms to assist in these projects that will span from physical objects like robotics, all the way to purely computer based designs like video games and 3D printing. Class size capacity: 25

Foods

Students will learn the basics of cooking and food preparation. Students will have a chance to learn about safe ways to prepare foods and add some recipes to their own cookbooks. Class size capacity: 20

Fitness

Strength and Conditioning

This class will focus on speed, agility, core power and strength, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, muscular balance and injury prevention strategies while working in the weight room, with functional and plyometric and movements in the gym and wrestling room. This is a fast pace and high intensity course and you will be pushed physically and mentally to improve! Class size capacity: 25

Yoga "How to Unplug"

Stress and screen time can add to your everyday stress in middle school. Yoga and mindfulness are tools that you can use to deal with this stress throughout your life. Students will have an opportunity in yoga to take a healthy break from academics so they can step into the rest of their day with renewed focus and energy. Class size capacity: 20

Project Unify

Project UNIFY creates programs and teams that include regular education and special education students together on a team to prepare, practice, and compete with other schools in our area. Project Unify has two primary goals: First, we aim to advance the social, emotional, and academic outcomes of students with and without disabilities. Second, we hope to promote tolerance, understanding, compassion, physical health, and outreach between all our students. Application required. Application process and teacher approval is required. Contact Mr Dart for more information: [email protected]

Miscellaneous

Creative Writing

In creative writing, students will write creatively! Students will read and write creative non-fiction, fiction, short stories, poetry, lyrics, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, or really anything else that involves creative writing and reading. Students will have time to write, get feedback on, and revise their writing in class and won’t have any work outside of class.

Leadership

In leadership, students go above and beyond to lead the culture and activities of the school. Students work collaboratively to plan events such as assemblies, spirit activities, dances, and more. They also work diligently on regular school systems such as the production of Outlaw News, the running of the student store, and the creation of the yearbook. This class does require an application and is a yearlong course. Please contact Mr. Schiedler about the application process. Class size capacity: 20

Second Language

Chinese & Mandarin - Taught at the High School

This course will develop a working knowledge of the Mandarin sound system, basic sentence structure, and fundamental grammatical concepts with related terminology. The basic language skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing will be targeted. Students will also be introduced to the cultural and geographic environment of China. This is a two-trimester course. Class size capacity: 15

Spanish

This fun, interactive course for middle school students is filled with diverse, multimedia language activities. Students begin their introduction to Spanish by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study and listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students should expect to be actively engaged in their own language learning, become familiar with common vocabulary terms and phrases, comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in simple conversations and respond appropriately to basic conversational prompts. Class size capacity: 28

Visual & Performing Arts

Band

The Performance Standards of the band are set to develop the skills introduced in band during 5th/6th grades. Musicians will learn and perform a variety of music. Music theory and group performance concepts are addressed as part of the band curriculum. The band performs in various concerts, parades, community performances and several festivals throughout the year. This is a yearlong course. Class size capacity: 35

Choir

This class is dedicated to learning a variety of music. Students broaden their vocal ability by singing music of many languages, cultures, and time eras. Students will also expand their understanding of music and language of music through musical symbols. The choir performs in a few outside of school concerts and community events throughout the year. This is a yearlong course. Class size capacity: 35

Ceramics

Work with clay and learn different techniques to make bowls, vessels, and sculptural creations!

Drawing and Printmaking

We will explore line through pencils, inks, and printmaking. Through artist inspiration we will learn techniques in perspective and depth! Culminating print project to be chosen by class.

Drama

In an Introduction to Theatre Arts or Drama, students will explore themselves and the world around them, through performance and acting skills, scene studies and playwriting. Students will be challenged to take risks, move outside of their current comfort zones, and use their imaginations to devise new pieces of theatre. Students will have the opportunity to choose a role, whether on the stage or behind the scenes that is just right for them and will work collaboratively with their peers to complete creative projects.

Kaleidoscope

Express yourself using different mediums! Learn color theory and painting techniques with watercolor and acrylic paints! We will learn about other artists as we develop skills and explore personal style.

Movie Making & Videography

Movie Making will give kids a chance to explore various forms and facets of filmmaking, including script writing, sound design (including music), camera work, and editing. They will participate in various projects, such as movie previews, stop-motion, and feature films, with specific thematic direction. Students must expect to work productively and respectfully with other members of a group (or production team). They will learn the equipment and, after a little hard work, come away with a finished project to keep and show off and inspire more creativity. And of course, kids will have a whole lot of fun. Class size cap: 25

Photography

This class focuses on the art and craft of making high quality photographs, not just “taking pictures”. Students will learn composition, exposure, and a variety of settings and controls on a camera in order to make better photographs in a variety of settings. You’ll get to check out a Nikon DSLR camera to bring between home and school for the whole trimester. We’ll also learn the basics of post-processing using software to improve upon the photos we take. Class size capacity: 16