Eighth Grade Electives
Agriculture/Horticulture: Semester course
This course will cover a wide array of subjects including such topics as soil and water quality, animal reproduction, and hydroponics. Leadership and personal skills will be emphasized along with cooperation, citizenship, and decision-making. The diversity of topics and skills covered in this course will prepare students to take Full advantage of all opportunities available to them in the high school agricultural program.
Art: Semester course
The elements and principles of Art are taught through design, drawing, painting and printing projects in various media, including; pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, oil pastel, marker, watercolor and tempura.
Athletics: Full year course
This course will focus on the off season training of students participating in after school athletics here at Mance Park. Students will learn and practice skills related to their sport of choice, as well as focusing on strength training and aerobic exercise.
Band – Cadet: Full year course
This course is open to 7th and 8th grade students interested in being part of the band at the high school level. Directors will decide what instruments the students will play. Students in Cadet Band will not compete at contest, but will perform at all Band concerts. This class will prepare students to be in the upper level bands at Mance Park and Huntsville High School.
Band – Concert: Full year course
This class is designed for second and third year band students. This is an introductory performance-level class. Students will build on the fundamental skills they learned in previous band classes to improve tone and technique. All students are expected to perform at pep rallies, contests, and concerts.
Band – Symphonic: Full year course
Prerequisite: Audition Placement, Director Approval
This course is designed for second and third year band students. Members will learn advanced musical instrumental techniques, musical expression, and different styles of music. All students are required to perform at pep rallies, contests, and concerts. Students wishing to advance to Wind Ensemble or any part of the Huntsville High School Band should take this class.
Band – Wind Ensemble: Full year course
Prerequisite: Audition Placement, Director Approval
This course is designed for second and third year band members who have already advanced to a higher musical level. Wind Ensemble is the top musical performing group at Mance Park and will be treated as such. Members of the Wind Ensemble will have numerous out-of-class expectations in addition to high musical demands. Wind Ensemble students will perform at pep rallies, concerts, and various contests. Members are expected to continue in the HHS Band Program.
Choir: Full year course
The MPMS Choir is part of the overall HISD Choral program. This course is a performance based course where 7th and 8th grade students build their musical skills and vocal technique throughout the year.Choir is about students learning to make music together. It is also a team similar to any sports team, that must work together to achieve goals. Choir members have the opportunity to participate in local parades, UIL and TMEA sponsored events. These events include the Huntsville ISD Homecoming Parade, UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, Region Middle School Choir, and many others. These events build the sense of team and provide exciting venues for the students to showcase their accomplishments. Grades are based on participation during class, attendance at weekly after-school sectionals and participation in performances.
German I: Full year course
The basic objectives of this course are to help increase student proficiency in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. By the end of the year, students will have acquired a command of key vocabulary and the basic structure of the language to a level where basic communication in German is possible. In addition, students will become acquainted with the history, social customs, and cultural standards of German-speaking people. Students will receive 1 high school credit upon successful completion of this course.
MPTV News: Semester course
(Must Audition for this Class)
This annual class creates the daily announcements for Mance Park Middle School. Each student will learn different aspects of a real working newsroom with real deadlines. Students will learn how to effectively research, write and report news, utilize proper video camera techniques in both a “location” and newsroom setting, edit, and publish to our YouTube channel, our Google + Page, our Twitter Page and other forms of social media.
Office Aide: Semester course
Students will assist with clerical duties. An interview is required.
Photojournalism: Semester course
This course is designed to teach students about one of the most rapidly growing jobs in the world today. Students will learn about layout & design, how to write stories, and basic elements of photography. Students will showcase their work in multiple projects using Microsoft Publisher/Word.
Physical education: Semester course
(Boys and Girls)
This course will offer basic physical fitness training. Students will get the opportunity to learn about and participate in team sports. The focus for this class is to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Additionally, this course is for students interested in participating in team sports. Team sports concepts; conditioning, weight training, and calisthenics are taught. A current physical is required to participate in a sport. Students who participate in sports will not be placed in a PE class. They will be assigned to an athletic period.
Robotics: Full year course
TheRoboticsclass has a mission to engage and excite students about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) topics as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. Students will learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills and learn basic programming skills. Throughout the course, students will research, develop, and revise prototype hardware and software many times, as well as learning to reflect upon their designs and present them to an audience.
Spanish I: Full year course
The basic objectives of this course are to help increase student proficiency in the four language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. By the end of the year students will have acquired a command of key vocabulary and language structures to a level where basic communication in Spanish is possible. In addition, students will become acquainted with the history, social customs, and cultural standards of Spanish-speaking people. Students will receive 1 high school credit upon successful completion of this course.
Technology Applications: Semester course
This course will introduce Microsoft Office 2007 applications. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher will be presented, as well. This course will also study different aspects of the internet and the digital world we live in.
Innovative Learning: Semester course
When students discover their own self-worth and approach life prepared to achieve, the opportunities are endless. This is the philosophy behind the Innovative Learning course. The course teaches students to take responsibility, express themselves, and handle problems and decisions when they arise. Innovative Learning prepares students for success in their pursuits, both personal and academic.
Video Media I: Semester course
This semester class will focus on 3 aspects of video production. The student who take this class will learn “real world” skills that they can utilize in high school, college, and the professional/technical world. The first 6 weeks, we learn about ourselves and how to promote us by creating video resumes, the second 6 weeks, we learn about Broadcast Journalism, and how to film, edit, and create current events and public service announcements, finally in the third 6 weeks, we are introduced to the fun and wonderful world of animation, utilizing 2D animation and stop motion animation.
Video Media II: Semester course
(Pre-Requisite - Video Media 1)
This semester class will focus on the creation of 3D Computer Generated Animations. In this class, the students will be introduced to the Autodesk Maya software and will learn to build characters & environments with both polygons and nurbs. They will learn to texture what they build, animate utilizing key frames, render and create their own personal “movie” from their creations. Autodesk Maya has been utilized by Pixar and Disney in the creation of animated movies such as “Open Season”. This class is challenging and requires attention to detail - and will give each student not only skills they can utilize in the “real world” but also a small demo reel of their completed work.