SMS - Electives

PLEASE NOTE: Not all electives are offered at all times, students will get an opportunity each Spring to choose possible electives for the following school year, if cost is an issue for an elective, please see the Principal in the main office. Click the letters to go to that category. Some letters do not have a category.

Aide Office/library - Students who want to work in the library or the office should see the office staff or librarian during the first week of the trimester.

Art - An introduction to the basic elements of ART designed to encourage exploration of materials and techniques rather than to simply complete a project. Included will be Color Concepts, Pattern and Design Concepts, Line and Shape Concepts, and Texture Concepts. **$10 materials fee.

Arts and Crafts - Students will be exposed to different types of art mediums. We will have fun learning to create with paper mache' and clay, painting, making lanyards and collages, and much more!

Band Intermediate Full year course. Study, daily rehearsal, and performance of literature for the wind band. Students must have a minimum of one year's participation in a school band program. Students will be required to participate in all public performances. Enrollment in the band elective for the entire school year and attendance at all performances makes the student eligible for the end-of-the field trip.

Band Advanced Full year course. Study, daily rehearsal, and performance of literature for the wind band. Students must have a minimum of one year's participation in a school band program. Students will be required to participate in all public performances. Enrollment in the band elective for the entire school year and attendance at all performances makes the student eligible for the end-of-the field trip. Please see calendar page for performance dates. Music dates in green and red

Computer / Multimedia I Students will spend the trimester exploring the functionality of Microsoft Office. Time will be spent learning the features of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Publisher. Students will create documents, spreadsheets, graphs, charts, databases, and colorful brochures.

Computer / Multimedia II Students will spend the trimester exploring their career interests along with the features of Microsoft Office. Time will be spent exploring different occupations along with the skills / interests needed for jobs. Students will learn and further their skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Publisher. Students will create resumes, job advertisements, job applications, graphs, charts, databases, and colorful brochures.

Cooking Learn how to make wise consumer, nutritional and personal image choices. Learn basic Cooking skills beyond the microwave!
** Lab fee: $20 (Will be collected during first week of trimester)

Cooking Advanced Learn to shop, plan for nutritious meals, and cook beyond the cooking class.
*Prerequisite: Cooking ** Lab fee: $20 (Will be collected during first week of trimester)

Drafting (Mechanical Drawing) In Drafting / Mechanical Drawing, the student will learn how to properly utilize equipment such as T-squares, rulers, drafting boards, compasses, triangles, drawing mats and protractors. They will learn how to measure size and distance properly, how to center a drawing, and how to correctly layout a drawing. They will also learn to appreciate the concepts of accuracy, precision and neatness. They will learn how to draw straight and curved lines, circles, and specific drawings such as orthographic, lineal and perspective.

Food Service - Students will help with Cafeteria Food Service. They will learn to restock food lines, check for proper food temperature on the serve line, clean serving counters, and assist in maintaining inventory. Students will also learn food safety, organizational skills and communication skills; providing experience for future jobs in the food industry.

Food Service (Blue Cart) - Learn the in's and out's of a small snack bar. Learning how to handle and serve customers, make change and inventory product.

Guitar - Students will develop performance skills on this exciting instrument. This class is open to anyone, no experience necessary. Experienced players are welcome as well. Topics of study will include: reading of chord symbols, tablature, and standard notation, blues / rock solo guitar, rhythm guitar, and guitar ensemble performance. You will need to furnish your own guitar.

Journalism / Newspaper - If you are a creative person who likes to write, then Journalism / Newspaper class is right for you. The class moves quickly through the basics of journalism, and before you know it, you're writing REAL articles about REAL subjects of your choice. Not only will you learn how to write four different types of newspaper articles, you will also strengthen your language skills without even realizing you did it! If you choose to stay in the class for a second trimester, you'll join the Paw Print newspaper staff, the dedicated students who actually create the school newspaper. It is a fun and challenging class, and you are guaranteed to learn things that you can use for the rest of your life when writing anything. Recommended for everyone.

Leadership - Full year course. Leadership is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of and participation in student government, parliamentary procedure, committee participation, community service and school spirit. Student Body officers will be in this class yearlong, but this class is open to all who want to make a difference in their school. Volunteer time and community service are an important part of the class, so be prepared to help around the campus and in the community of Salida! Go Wildcats! Participation in more than one trimester is encouraged, but not necessary.
This class is open to those with teacher recommendation.

Life Skills - Learn how to develop skills that will help you function as an early adult. Self-awareness and family relationships will be explored. Everyday Life Skills will be learned through activities and projects taught in class.

Music Appreciation - A course for the general student, briefly tracing the history of music from early time to the present, including music of various world cultures and twentieth century popular music. Students will also explore basic fundamentals of music notation, the piano keyboard, and instruments of the orchestra.

Music Exploration -This course will be a hands-on exploration of music through listening and performance. It is designed for students with little or no musical experience, and those with experience on non-band instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, voice, accordion, banjo, etc.). Major units may include: Music notation, music literature, Renaissance through Rock, vocal performance, wind performance, percussion performance.

Orchestra - Full year course. Orchestra class will be open to any student who has at least one year of prior experience on any of the bowed string instruments. We will develop overall musicianship through the performance of great orchestral music. Technique, sight-reading, theory, history, and interpretation will be addressed. Public performance will be required.

The REAL World - Where will you be 20 years from now? In The REAL World class, you will have the opportunity to experience what it is like in the "real world." In this class, you'll learn verbal and written communication skills that will help you in the real world. You'll explore filling out job applications and participate in job interviews. You'll explore how businesses operate and be introduced to basic business skills such as budgeting, marketing, and management. A wide variety of skills, experiences, and activities are planned for this 12-week course, open to all 7th and 8th graders.

Remedial Reading - Students who have performed at or below 35 percentile on the STAR 9 test will be required to go through the remedial reading program. This is in lieu of an elective. Check the page for this class.

Sewing - Learn the basics of Sewing, from hand sewing to using a sewing machine. Craft projects will be made along with sewing projects.
** Class materials will be the responsibility of each student. List of needed materials will be given in advance of projects.

Speech - A FUN, non-threatening variety of communication skills to help you gain knowledge and confidence in PUBLIC SPEAKING as you plan, deliver, and evaluate different kinds of speeches. This class also covers writing and presenting speeches and preparing for the district and county speech competitions. Any student interested in entering the speech competition are encouraged to see Mrs. Savage or Mrs. DeVries. Speech categories include Informative and Oral Interpretation (humorous or dramatic).

Study Hall - This class allows students to work on any homework or projects from other classes. A teacher will be there to answer any questions or help when needed.

Teacher's Aide - Students who wish to be a teacher's aide should talk to the teacher they want to work for during the first week of the trimester.

Video Broadcasting - This class will cover the basics of Video Broadcasting including video content, taping, editing, and broadcasting. It is the intent of this class to tape and broadcast daily announcements as well as documenting various school assemblies, concerts, and ceremonies. If you like working with technology, this class is for you!

Weird Wonders - A blast into COOL science! All the FUN things about science that you never knew existed! From playing with electrons to making awesome crystals, all activities will be experiential and hands-on. The emphasis will be on encouraging students to learn all the weird and wonderful things about science in the world around them.

Wood Crafts - In Wood Crafts, students will learn how to use a scroll saw, as well as various other tools, to cut and layer wood in constructing creative woodcraft projects. ** Lab fee: $20 (Will be collected during first week of trimester)

Wood Shop - In Wood Shop, students will learn the function of and how to use simple measuring, woodcutting, and construction tools. Emphasis will be on the basic construction, staining, and finishing techniques. Several projects will be created. ** Lab fee: $20 (Will be collected during first week of trimester)

Wood Shop Advanced - students will learn more complex measuring, woodcutting, and wood-joining techniques using advanced construction tools. Emphasis will be on the construction and finishing of several advanced projects.
*Prerequisite: Wood Shop ** Lab fee: $20 (Will be collected during first week of trimester)

World Drum Circle - Everyone has a heart beat, so anyone can play a drum! The objectives for this course include learning various drum techniques, improvisation, multicultural appreciation and experience. Students will also learn cultural themes and patterns found in art, dance, and literature as well as the history of music and instruments.

Yearbook I - This 12-week course introduces students to the basics of yearbook. Theme, design, photography, typography, advertising and teamwork are a few of the topics that will be explored. Students who complete Yearbook I are candidates for the Yearbook II (Cat's Tale Yearbook Staff), which is a year-long course for publishing the yearbook.

Yearbook II - Full year course Do you enjoy being a part of team to achieve a goal? Would being a part of the production of a real book interest you? Are you a dedicated, hard worker? If any of these are true, then Yearbook would like to have you on the staff! A variety of skills and tasks are learned in this class: leadership, phone etiquette, yearbook sales, advertising sales, photography, journalism / writing, interviewing, teamwork, layout / design, computer / technology, and understanding deadlines, just to mention a few. Although there is no homework assigned, volunteer time after school is part of the class. Prior approval from the instructor is required / teacher recommendation - see Ms. Peterson if you are interested in being on The Cat's Tale Yearbook Staff.