7th & 8th Grade Electives

7th & 8th Elective Descriptions

ART                               Students enrolled in this course will be introduced to the basic elements and principles of art through guided explorations in two and three dimensional design.  Students will have the opportunity to create art with graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, tempera, clay, paper mache, and mixed media.  This course will also provide opportunities for the student to learn through the discussions and explorations that emphasize visual criticism, art history and art philosophy, as well as art production.

ADVANCED ART           Advanced Art is for the serious artist who has taken Beginning Art or who has prior art instruction and a skill set that would allow the student to be successful on more advanced projects. Projects will include drawing and painting, working with pen and ink, pastels, charcoal, and other mediums.  Students will draw portraits and landscapes, create collages and create work to represent social or environmental concerns, work with different textiles and different medium, and experience more advanced styles and genres in art. *This course requires an application as well as a submission of an original piece of artwork for consideration - available in the main office

DRAMA                           This class is designed to create appreciation for live theatre and video through increasing student’s performing skills.  Students will create original material and use non-original material to expand their skills in pantomime, role-play, dramatic performance, public speaking, improvisation and play writing.  Production work will explore live production and video production.  Students will also study relevant periods of theatre.

ADVANCED DRAMA    This cutting-edge conservatory structured course is offered to 7th and 8th grade students who demonstrate advanced drama skills, are motivated to improve and develop their performance techniques for the stage, and demonstrate excellent work habits. Students are expected to audition for this course and to have completed one beginning or wheel course. Once accepted, students will participate in all aspects of production; acting, stage crew, marketing, competing, and directing. Honors Dramatic Arts utilizes improv games, movement, vocal techniques, scene study, and monologues to develop their craft. These students will serve as mentors to those with lesser developed skills to encourage growth and strengthen the program. *This course requires an audition – see Mrs. Beld-Jones in room 43 for more info

THEATER TECH            Drama 7/8- Theater Tech: Is a project-based class for students interested in the behind-the-scenes side of theater. Students will learn the history of technical theater and the beginning skills of building sets, costumes and props. Students will also learn different design skills—like lighting and sound design—that will be used in the Advanced Drama’s fall and spring productions. Students will receive exciting hands-on training and have the unique opportunity to learn about the responsibility and safety of how to operate the technical theater equipment at our school while building practical skills in the different areas of theater throughout the play production process. This is a non-performance class, but the work in class will be showcased in all of the performance-based Drama classes throughout the year.

LEADERSHIP                 Leadership is a 7th/8th grade elective class that serves as our Oak Associated Student Body (ASB). Our objective is to create a positive school climate through service projects and on-campus activities that support our students and our community. This class focuses on leadership development, with an emphasis on planning strategies, decision-making skills, problem solving, organizational skills, principles of communication and collaboration, financial management, and public relations. *This course requires an application and occasional before/after school time commitment – available in the main office.

OFFICE AIDE                 (8^th Grade Only) Aides will help office staff with tasks which include organizing, filing, and making deliveries.  All aides will need to be self-motivated, cooperative, and responsible when working with office staff and parents and when working independently.  *To be eligible for this course, students must have excellent citizenship, work habits, and attendance.

STEM II (Engineering Design)     This class will introduce students to Stanford Design Thinking, 3D design, 3D printing, sketching, engineering principles, laser cutting, robotics, “making”, audio and visual editing, and product design in our incredible school Makerspace dubbed “Design 38.”  Students will have the opportunity to learn physical computing using a microcontroller, such as an Arduino, for a culminating project to make a prototype of a real product or invention to compete in the ocMaker Challenge competition.  Students will use industry standard tools and software to build their prototypes such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, robotics equipment, and Autodesk 3D design software.  We will use the VEX Robotics platform to build and program various robots for use in our robotics arena.  This class introduces the wide variety of possibilities that a career in Engineering can provide in a growing and high paying career field.  Class time is split between practicing computer language on a computer, designing, and working collaboratively to solve problems in creative ways.  Engineering Design will primarily focus on the “hands-on” engineering and design of HARDWARE and prepare students for the Engineering Pathway at Los Alamitos High School. 

 YEARBOOK                   This class will allow students to create the Oak yearbook through the use of technology including: computers, the internet, and digital cameras.  Students will be expected to learn and participate in the design, photography, interviewing and writing skills necessary to create the Oak yearbook.  Students must have excellent Citizenship, Attendance, and Work Habits.  *This course requires an application – available in the Main Office

• 8^th grade only
• Language taken in 8^th grade does not count toward High School Graduation but will serve as recommendation for placement in 9^th grade.

Contact Mr. O’Connell at voconnell@losal.org

• No audition required.
• This group will be expected to develop their ability to read music and learn how to create a quality vocal tone (“standing & singing” or dancing).
• Sing and dance many different styles of music.
• Perform at the Fall Concert, Winter Concert, District Choral Festival, Open House, Spring Concert, Knott’s Berry Farm, and a “stand and sing” choral festival. This list is not final or exhaustive.
• With the teacher’s approval, students will need to miss some school days in order to perform or practice for some of these events.  Grades must be kept at a C or above.   
• There will be a handful of required out-of-school rehearsals (lasting 2-3 hours) and 1 mandatory 4 hour ‘competition’ choreography rehearsal out-of-school in order to prepare for the performances.

• No audition required.
• This group will be expected to develop their ability to read music and learn how to create a quality vocal tone (“standing & singing” or dancing).
• Sing and dance many different styles of music.
• Perform at the Fall Concert, Winter Concert, Disneyland (pending audition), District Choral Festival, Open House, Spring Concert, Knott’s Berry Farm, and a “stand and sing” choral festival. This list is not final or exhaustive.
• With the teacher’s approval, students will need to miss some school days in order to perform or practice for some of these events.  Grades must be kept at a C or above.   
• There will be a handful of required out-of-school rehearsals (lasting 2-3 hours) and 1 mandatory 4 hour ‘competition’ choreography rehearsal out-of-school in order to prepare for the performances.

• This group will be expected to develop and continue to grow in their ability to read more difficult music, learning how to create a quality vocal tone while “standing & singing” or dancing.
• Sing and dance many different styles of music.
• Perform at the Fall Concert, Winter Concert, District Choral Festival, Open House, Spring Concert, Disneyland (pending audition), Knott’s Berry Farm, and a “stand and sing” choral festival. This list is not final or exhaustive.
• With the teacher’s approval, students will need to miss some school days in order to perform or practice for some of these events.  Grades must be kept at a C or above.
• There will be a handful of required after school rehearsals (lasting 2-3 hours) and 1 mandatory 4 hour ‘competition’ choreography rehearsal after school in order to prepare for the performances.

• Audition required for any 7^th or 8^th grade girl desiring to be part of this choir.
• Prior show choir experience and a strong time commitment is required to be a part of this choir.
• Auditions will assess the individual’s ability to perform, read music, vocal quality and dancing ability.
• This group will be expected to develop and continue to grow in their ability to read more difficult music, learning how to create a quality vocal tone while “standing & singing” or dancing.
• Sing and dance many different styles of music.
• Perform at a HIGH LEVEL of perfection at the Fall Concert, Winter Concert, District Choral Festival, Open House, Spring Concert, Disneyland (pending audition), Knott’s Berry Farm, and a “stand and sing” choral festival. This list is not final or exhaustive.
• Show Stoppers will compete 2-4 times. Competitions are primarily on weekends. A significant level of time commitment is expected for members of this choir. Mandatory out-of-school competition choreography rehearsals (5-6, at four hours each) will be expected to take priority over other after school activities. There will be additional out-of-school rehearsals, lasting from 2-3 hours (dress rehearsals, etc).

• Audition required for any 7^th or 8^th grade student desiring to be part of this choir which meets during zero period.
• Prior choir experience and a strong level of commitment is required to be a part of this choir.
• Auditions will assess the individual’s ability to perform, read music, vocal quality and dancing ability.
• This group will be expected to develop and continue to grow in their ability to read more difficult music, learning how to create a quality vocal tone and perform with musicality while “standing and singing”.
• Sing and dance many different styles of music.
• Perform at a HIGH LEVEL of perfection at the Fall Concert, Winter Concert, District Choral Festival, Open House, Spring Concert, Disneyland (pending audition), Knott’s Berry Farm, weekend festival trip to a different city, and a “stand and sing” choral festival. This list is not final or exhaustive.
• With the teacher’s approval, students will need to miss some school days in order to perform or practice for some of these events.  Grades must be kept at a C or above.
• There will be a handful of required after school rehearsals (lasting 2-3 hours) and possibly 1 mandatory 4 hour ‘competition’ choreography rehearsal after school in order to prepare for the performances.
• Show Case will perform at many community functions and an overnight competition. A significant level of time commitment is expected for members of this choir. Mandatory out-of-school rehearsals will be expected to take priority over other after school activities.

Contact Mr. Harrell at mharrell@losal.org