ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
Physical Education explores fitness, nutrition, exercise basics, and specific sports, and the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities. Topics include fundamental aspects of physical activity (safety tips, warm-up and cooldown exercises, and good sportsmanship), personal fitness and nutrition, and the importance of regular exercise to encourage lifelong healthy activity. Other activities include keeping an exercise and nutrition log and creating an exercise routine for themselves, as well as the importance of warming up and cooling down muscles before and after exercise, health-related versus skill-related fitness, goal setting, and safety.
HALF-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
This course provides an overview of how behavior affects health. The broad range of topics include nutrition and physical activity; growth, development, and sexual health; injury and safety prevention; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; mental, emotional, and social health; and personal and community health. Students will explore how the choices they make about their bodies affect both their present and future. They will also be given the tools to make informed decisions to better their health.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
Games have been played for thousands of years. People love to find ways to entertain themselves. In this course, the student becomes the game master! Students will learn the basics of gaming, from what makes games fun to what makes them work. Students will explore all types of games in this course, including mental games, board games, and video games. The course focuses on developing a student’s ability to recognize good gameplay mechanics and the steps necessary to produce a game. This course does NOT require students to know or learn a programming language. The emphasis is on the history and design of games and the different careers available in the game industry.
HALF-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
Computer Applications explores online networks and software. Topics include word processing software, organizing data, selecting the correct digital tools, analysis of data, visual representation of data, and troubleshooting software and operating systems. Additional topics include safe digital citizenship, data security, intellectual property, file management, and intellectual property rights.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
Introduction to Coding introduces the basic syntax and logic of writing in JavaScript. Topics include the three types of data: strings, numbers, and Boolean; variables and performing operations on variables; basic operations; logic operations; and control structures. The course concludes with using procedures to simplify repeated code. Students will explore the practices of arrays, objects, functions, conditionals and loops, manipulating HTML elements, different types of code documentation, as well as giving and receiving feedback from both users and other developers. The process of solving complex problems is modeled from beginning to end as problems are broken down into smaller pieces and addressed through planning, coding, and putting the pieces together to solve the larger problem.
HALF-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
In this course, students learn about the main character traits, which are truthfulness, trustworthiness, responsibility, diligence, integrity, respect, caring, and fairness. They analyze and interpret specific situations that demonstrate these traits. Then, in the next part of the course, students discover how to define and recognize bullying and cyberbullying, and they learn how they negatively impact everyone involved. Students develop a bullying prevention mindset by learning safe and appropriate strategies to respond to bullying situations. Finally, as a member of their neighborhood, their city, and their country, students learn about good citizenship by describing the rights, duties, and privileges included in it.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
In Photography Basics, students will learn how to correctly explain the setup and proper use of basic photography equipment. Through projects and research activities embedded in the course, students will create and present a portfolio of work. In addition, students will be able to describe professional habits, etiquette, and technology essential to creating a photograph. Students will not need access to photography equipment in order to take the course; opportunities to practice with digital simulations and theory will be present throughout the course. This course is designed for any beginner interested in learning about photography and what it could take to make a career out of their interest in this exciting, dynamic field of study. Photography Basics is designed for students in ninth grade or higher with no background in photography.
Required Materials: Digital SLR standard SLR camera OR compatible smartphone application
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
2D Media Artwork introduces concepts and methods used in the creation of digital art. The course explores design principles, types, and common applications of digital artwork, as well as techniques for brainstorming and developing an artistic idea. It also covers artistic mediums such as digital photography, 2D computer graphics, web design, and digital illustration. The course explores the relevant tools, techniques, and skills of each medium. Supporting topics include meaning, audience, impact, and ethics in the creation and use of digital media. Course projects include the creation of a digital photograph and a web page.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
Students in MS Spanish 2 will continue to learn the basics of the Spanish language through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will learn how to discuss school subjects, various professions, and their daily routines. In addition to learning the language, students will also learn about the cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries. Spanish is spoken from Europe to Africa to the Americas. In the first half of this course students will learn about the history, daily life, and cultural products of Venezuela and Chile. In the second half of this course students learn about the history, daily life, and cultural products of Ecuador, Guatemala, and Cuba. To help with their learning experience students will participate in discussion boards, speaking practice, a culture project, and a speaking project.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
MS Spanish 1 is an introductory course. Students will be introduced to the basics of the Spanish language through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will learn how to introduce themselves and others, talk about interests and hobbies, ask for directions, and more! In addition to learning the language, students will also learn about the cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries. Students will participate in discussion boards, speaking practice, a culture project, and a speaking project.
