Ste. Genevieve Middle School
Elective Course Description Guide
FINE ARTS
Course Title: Beginning Band
Grade Level: 6th & 7th
Duration: 2 Semesters
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees Required: Must obtain a musical instrument
DESCRIPTION: A course recommended for all students interested in the development of reading music and good instrumental technique. Only wind and percussion instruments are taught. The group is required to perform annually at the SGMS Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert.
Course Title: Band
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration: 2 Semesters
Pre-Requisites:Beginning Band
Costs or Fees Required: Must obtain a musical instrument
Major Requirements or Projects:Required to perform at all concerts or festivals
DESCRIPTION: A pre-requisite for this class is at least one-year previous experience on a band instrument. A course recommended for all students interested in furthering the development of good instrumental technique. Only wind and percussion instruments are taught. The group is required to perform annually at the SGMS Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert. Students are required to remain in this course to advance to the High School band program.
Course Title:Vocal Music 7-8
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:2 Semesters
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees Required:Concert attire
Major Requirements or Projects:Must attend all concerts or festivals
DESCRIPTION: Membership is open to any interested student. This group will be considered a training choir; therefore, performances will be limited.
Course Title:Art I
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees Required:Approximately $10.00
DESCRIPTION: Art I is a studio/problem-solving/humanities program designed to open the art world to even the “non-talented” student. In this course the student will study drawing as well as design. The student will discover how to use and mix colors and dosome simple crafts.
Course Title:Art II
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:Art I
Costs or Fees Required:Approximately $10.00
DESCRIPTION: Art II will develop the skills acquired in the first part of Art I. Color and design will be stressed with emphasis on creativity. Students will work with three-dimensional materials and simple crafts.
PRACTICAL ARTS
Course Title: Family and Consumer Sciences I
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites: None
Costs or Fees Required:Approx. $15.00 to $20.00
DESCRIPTION: Family and Consumer Sciences I will cover the basic principles of sewing, use of the sewing machine, and various hand-stitching techniques. The students will complete two sewing projects. Food class will consist of basic principles of preparing cookies, cakes and candy. Other areas that will be covered are baby-sitting, personal development and grooming.
Course Title:Family and Consumer Sciences II
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:Family and Consumer Science I
Costs or Fees Required:Approximately $25.00 for patterns & materials
DESCRIPTION: Family and Consumer Sciences II stress food and why we need it. Breakfast items are planned and prepared and nutritious snacks are also prepared. Basic principles of sewing are taught, including two sewing projects – a pair of boxers and a second project of the student’s choice, usually a pillow or stuffed animal. The basic operation of the sewing machine is also taught.
Course Title:Exploring Technology Careers I
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees Required:Approximately $11.00
DESCRIPTION: Tech I is designed to provide students with practical information about drafting, hand and power tools, project planning, wood and metal working. Students will learn basic drafting principles and how to apply them to develop small projects. Students will learn how to work safely and accurately with hand tools and a few power tools. Tech I is an introductory course designed to get students interested in the different fields of technology and allow them insight into the different courses we offer at Ste. Genevieve. Students design and build small wood projects and develop a pattern and cut out and shape a project out of sheet metal.
Course Title:Exploring Technology Careers II
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:Exploring Technology Careers I
Costs or Fees Required:Approximately $25.00
Major Requirements or Projects:Project Materials & safety glasses
DESCRIPTION: Students will be exposed to units in drafting, safety, metalworking, woodworking, electricity, and small gas engines. Projects will be built in both woodworking and metalworking. Electricity and small gas engines will be explored on a theory basis, if time permits. Students will be required to have safety glasses, and there will be a fee for project materials.
Course Title:Intro to Business
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:Keyboarding
Costs or Fees Required:None
DESCRIPTION: Students will work to improve keyboarding technique and learn document formatting. Students will also be exposed to the concept of entrepreneurship while building computer application skills using Microsoft Office. Some basic documents that are a part of a simple business plan will be prepared.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Course Title:Spanish History
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees:None
DESCRIPTION: Students will learn about the origin and development of the Spanish language and the historical background of the countries where Spanish became the native or second language. Students will be asked to do web-quests and participate in projects and presentations.
Course Title:Spanish Culture
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees:None
DESCRIPTION: Students will understand the meaning of Spanish culture. They will identify Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries’ culture. The cultural aspects of the different countries studied will include arts, crafts, social manners, traditional foods and eating habits, music/dances, holidays, basic vocabulary and phrases. Students will do many hand-on-activities, role plays in Spanish, and web-quests related to the topics learned.
Course Title:French Culture
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees:None
DESCRIPTION: French Culture is an exploratory class that will introduce the student to the concept of culture and culture shock in a multi-cultural world. Students will learn about the clothing, jewelry, food, music, art, dance, and gestures in French-speaking societies. Students will re-create many of the cultural institutions studied within the classroom setting. This is a highly participatory class where students can learn experientially.
Course Title:French History
Grade Level:7th & 8th
Duration:1 Semester
Pre-Requisites:None
Costs or Fees:None