CHOICE Elective Request Form_1516

CHOICE REQUEST FORM
NEVIN PLATT MIDDLE SCHOOL
2015-2016
PLEASE PRINT
DUE: April 1, 2015
Grade Level ________ (next year)
Student Name ___________________________________________________________________
Parent Email (preferred) OR Phone_______________________________________
(in case we have questions about this form)
Students do not register for: Math, Social Studies, Science, or Language Arts.
MATH
CHOICE math teachers will determine students’ math placement based on course work and assessments.
CHOICE ELECTIVE PREFERENCES
DIRECTIONS:
Students must select one of the following combinations for elective classes:
A: three semester classes OR
B: two year-long classes* OR
C: one year-long class and one semester class
*Students who take two year-long courses will not have PE.
PLEASE NOTE: Course offerings and availability may change due to enrollment and staffing.
YEAR-LONG CLASSES
______ N22A
______ N25A
______ N15A
______ F1AA
Band
Orchestra
Mixed Choir (Concert Choir)
French 1A (7/8 grades only)
______ F1BA
______ F7AA
______ F7BA
______ F72A
French 1B (pre req. Fr. 1A)
Spanish 1A
Spanish 1B (pre req. Sp. 1A)
Spanish 2 (pre req. sp. 1B)
SEMESTER CLASSES
___ _ A23 Ceramics
_
_ A21 Drawing & Painting
__
N08 Music Technology/Composition
_
N18A Show Choir
_
K94 Theatre Arts 1
_
_____
_____
_____
_____
K62
B08
D05
D04
H13
Creative Writing
Keyboarding
Desktop Publishing
Java Programming
Foreign Foods & Fabrics
PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES
___ _ P07
_
_ P18
Physical Education (“regular” team sport-based PE)
OR
Fitness & Conditioning (personal fitness-based PE)
I approve the above requests_________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Date
Parents: you may also submit these requests by sending an email to: elizabeth.vannoy@bvsd.org.
Please do NOT submit both this form and an email!
OVER FOR ELECTIVE DESCRIPTIONS→
CHOICE ELECTIVES
CHOICE BAND
An ensemble made up of the sixth and seventh grade band students in the CHOICE program. Eighth grade CHOICE students rehearse and perform with the 8th grade
band. Students in the course meet every day. The curriculum in this course is a combination of the sixth and seventh grade bands. Given the range in ability, there is a
larger emphasis on individual development. Culminating performances are a meaningful and mandatory component of this class.
CERAMICS
In this one term course, students are introduced to the properties of ceramic clay. Inspired by artists and art history, students learn about various materials,
tools, techniques, processes and technology of ceramics. The emphasis in this course is on hand‐building, however wheel‐throwing is introduced where
facilities allow. Students will create functional and non‐functional pieces and finish them in a variety of ways while developing and refining motor skills.
Students understand the role of ceramics in shaping historical and cultural traditions. Art history and cultural studies focus on regions within the seventh and
eighth grade social studies curriculum. Additional artists and cultures that are not addressed in other middle level art courses may also be included.
CREATIVE WRITING
Creative Writing elective course provides students the opportunity to read models of outstanding poetry and prose. They will write poetry, stories, plays, essays,
descriptions as well as other literary forms. Students are encouraged to experiment with ideas and moods while learning to express themselves through these various
writing forms.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Have the coolest-looking reports in school! Students use computer technology to publish these kinds of exciting projects: brochures, timelines, flyers, newsletters,
posters, and newspapers. Computer graphics, word processing, scanning, photograph editing, and page layout programs will be used to generate professional-looking
documents. Students will learn the elements of design, create and use advanced drawing projects, and also use publishing templates in their publications. Students will
have an opportunity to create projects for other classes and may be able to publish an on-line project.
DRAWING & PAINTING
This one term Drawing and Painting course provides experiences in a wide range of media through the intentional application of elements of art and principles of design.
Students build drawing and painting skills through exploration and practice with materials, tools, techniques, processes and technology. Observation, critical thinking
and problem solving are stressed as important components of the drawing process and discovering personal style. Students understand the role of visual art in shaping
historical and cultural tradition. Art history and cultural studies will focus on regions within the seventh and eight grade social studies curriculum. Additional artists and
cultures that are not addressed in other middle level art courses may also be included.
FITNESS & CONDITIONING
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply strength training and aerobic conditioning principles to a personalized training program. Students will align
their program with personal sports/fitness goals.
FOREIGN FOODS & FABRICS
In this class students will research cultures from around the world as they relate to cuisine and food traditions. This course offers students an opportunity to select recipes
and prepare foods as they become familiar with kitchen equipment and appropriate lab/safety procedures. Sewing activities will include the proper use of sewing
equipment and construction techniques through the construction of at least one sewing project.
JAVA PROGRAMMING
By design, this course enables middle school students, with no previous experience, to jump right into the Java programming language. Students will become familiar
with objects, classes, methods, parameters, data types, fields, loops, constructors and more. Students will learn about these topics, as well as others, through modifying
existing programs and creating programs from scratch.
KEYBOARDING
Learn how to type faster than you can write! This class will help you work faster, save time on your homework, and make you papers look neater! Students will learn to
use the computer keyboard using the touch method. Emphasis is placed on developing correct typing techniques and improving speed and accuracy when producing
documents. Students will have an opportunity to use keyboarding software and will be able to create documents for other classes.
MIXED (CONCERT) CHOIR
Middle Level Mixed Choir continues two-part singing and introduces students to three and four part singing. Fundamental vocal techniques are continually reinforced
along with creating, understanding, and discussing music. Culminating performances are a meaningful and mandatory component of this class.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY/COMPOSITION
Music in Technology is the study of techniques of musical composition through the medium of contemporary music technology. Elements included are exposure to and
hands-on experiences in contemporary music software and composition; sound recording and mixing technology the application of multimedia, and careers in the music
industry.
ORCHESTRA
Orchestra is an ensemble made up of the sixth and seventh grade orchestra students in the CHOICE program as well as Platt seventh graders. Eighth grade CHOICE
students rehearse and perform with the 8th grade orchestra. Students in the course meet every day. The curriculum in this course is a combination of the sixth and
seventh grade orchestras. Given the range in ability, there is a larger emphasis on individual development. Culminating performances are a meaningful and mandatory
component of this class.
SHOW CHOIR
Show Choir is a course designed to give the vocalist the opportunity to study and perform music in pop, show, rock, and jazz styles. Additional emphasis is placed on
the continuing development of good stage presence, choreography, and student designed movements, Culminating performances are a meaningful and mandatory
component of this class.
SPANISH & FRENCH (LEVEL 1A)
World Language courses are based on the four standards: Communication, Culture, Connections and Comparisons. For the Novice-Low Range Level, students learn to
communicate, comprehend and present, in oral and written form, on very familiar topics, using isolated words and high frequency phrases in the context of Culture,
Connections and Comparisons.
SPANISH & FRENCH (LEVEL 1B)
This is a continuation of the 1A Course. For the Novice-Low Range Level, students learn to communicate, comprehend and present, in oral and written form, on very
familiar topics, using isolated words and high frequency phrases in the context of Culture, Connections and Comparisons. Successful completion of 1A & 1B is
equivalent to the Level 1 World Language course.
SPANISH 2
World Language courses are based on the four standards: Communication, Culture, Connections and Comparisons. For the Novice-Mid Range Level, students learn to
communicate, comprehend, and present, in oral and written form, on a variety of very familiar and predictable topics using isolated words, learned phrases, and learned
grammatical structures in the context of Culture, Connections, and Comparisons.
THEATRE ARTS 1
Theatre Arts 1 elective course provides opportunities for students to learn about drama. Stage directions and theatrical vocabulary will be introduced. This course will
provide situations for developing poise and confidence, interacting with others and appreciating the contribution of others. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
will be applied as students demonstrate and perform what they are learning.