• SEVENTH GRADE ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

    Robotics & Engineering - (Semester) Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts behind robotics, engineering, and computer design and operation.  Students will learn design thinking to iterate and improve ideas.  They will learn to program robots as well as design them.  They will be introduced to using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) to design objects and 3D print them.  Finally, students will learn the different parts of a computer and the basics of how to assemble and maintain computers.

    Beginning Band – (Year-long Class)   This class is open to students who have never played a band instrument but would like to learn.  Students who want to reinforce prior music basics or have taken time off from playing will also find this course useful.  A wide variety of music is performed throughout the year. The music ranges in the degree of difficulty from a beginning level to an intermediate one to challenge the students and acquaint them with a variety of musical approaches used by composers in traditional and contemporary music.

    Intermediate Band – (Year-long Class)  This class is open to students who have played an instrument but need more instruction to help them progress.  A wide variety of music is performed throughout the year.  The music ranges in the degree of difficulty to both challenge the students and acquaint them with the many stylistic approaches used by composers in traditional and contemporary music.  

    Spanish 1A – (Year-long class)  Spanish class aims to teach students to communicate thoughts, needs, and wants by using basic skills of listening, speaking, and writing in a foreign language. Class interactive activities include conversations, stories, music, and songs. Technology is integrated into classwork for a variety of listening, reading, and research activities. The program hopes to instill an appreciation and understanding of cultural traditions.  Further studies of these topics are taught at the 8th-grade level.  **Please note successful completion of 2 years of Spanish will result in student placement into Spanish II at the High School level. Students must pass Spanish 1A with an 80% or higher and earn 80% or higher on the final.

    Spanish for Native Speakers - (Year-long class)  This literature-based course is designed to develop and refine the Spanish Literacy Skills of native speakers through reading and interpretation.  Students will develop their critical thinking skills, grammatical concepts, and structures of standard Spanish and the corresponding English Language Development (ELD) Standards. Technology is integrated into classwork for a variety of listening, reading, and research activities. This introductory course will prepare students for their study of Spanish for Native Speakers at the High School level.

    KTV Media Production - (Year-long class)  Students in the KTV Media Productions classes will prepare and produce Kenilworth’s daily live news broadcast, including scriptwriting, graphic design, movie making (filming/editing/producing w/Final Cut Pro, iMovie), tech crew (teleprompter, tri-caster, cameras, music, sound, graphics), news anchor and so much more!

    Drama - (Semester)  Drama class offers students a basic introduction to the world of theater.  Students will develop skills in pantomime, voice projection, improvisation, stagecraft, and drama production.  We will read a variety of plays every week, from folktales to Shakespeare.  Students will perform in one or more plays each semester.  

    Yearbook - (Year-long class) Students in this course will produce the school’s memory book, the Yearbook.  Students will participate in taking photographs, planning layouts, developing content ideas, writing copy, and developing and implementing marketing ideas. Students will gain valuable and real-world skills such as how to work as a team, time management, business/sales/advertising, writing, responsibility, and communication.

    Woodshop – (Semester)   This is a project-based exploratory woodshop course with emphasis on shop safety and the use of basic hand tools and machines.  Students will learn design theory in order to construct projects based on given design challenges.  Students also learn drafting skills, precision measurement, shop math, and some basic engineering processes.  Each student will complete and take home 2 - 4 functional projects.

    Digital Design – (Semester)  Students in the Digital Design class will explore a variety of programs and applications, including movie-making (writing, filming, editing, producing), digital art/animation, stop-motion animation, 3D architectural design, computer coding, graphic arts, 3D sculpting, website/blog design, computer game design and Google Earth trips.

    Visual Arts 7 – (Semester)
    This course introduces students to the art studio experience as well as the historic and cultural importance of art. Students will explore the elements and principles of art through a variety of projects and media including 2-D and 3-D projects such as perspective drawing, painting, printmaking, digital creation, clay and sculpture.   All levels of ability are welcomed and challenged in this class.

     

    EIGHTH GRADE ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

    Robotics & Engineering - (Semester) Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts behind robotics, engineering, and computer design and operation.  Students will learn design thinking to iterate and improve ideas.  They will learn to program robots as well as design them.  They will be introduced to using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) to design objects and 3D print them.  Finally, students will learn the different parts of a computer and the basics of how to assemble and maintain computers.

    Advanced Band - (Year-long class) 8th Grade Advanced Band is offered to 8th-grade students who have a good command of their instrument, and are able to perform the music of intermediate difficulty. It is strongly recommended that students have taken first-year beginning band, or 7th-grade intermediate band the previous year. Students are given group class instruction and perform at concerts, sporting events, parades, and other music venues.

    Spanish 1B - (Year-long Class)  Prerequisite: B or better in Spanish 1A.  Spanish class aims to teach students to communicate thoughts, needs and wants by using basic skills of listening, speaking, and writing in a foreign language. Class interactive activities include conversations, stories, music, and songs.  The program hopes to instill an appreciation and understanding of cultural traditions. Technology is integrated into classwork for a variety of listening, reading, and research activities. Students need to pass the final exam with a C or better to pass on to Spanish 2.  Successful completion of 2 years of Spanish will result in student placement into Spanish II at High School level.

    Spanish for Native Speakers - (Year-long class) This literature-based course is designed to develop and refine the Spanish Literacy Skills of native speakers through reading and interpretation.  Students will develop their critical thinking skills, grammatical concepts, and structures of standard Spanish and the corresponding English Language Development (ELD) Standards. Technology is integrated into classwork for a variety of listening, reading, and research activities. This introductory course will prepare students for their study of Spanish for Native Speakers at the High School level.

    Leadership - (Year-long class)   ** Application Required  Students will receive both theoretical and practical training in leadership skills such as goal setting, team building, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.  The course is designed to integrate leadership skills with practical applications.  This includes planning activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, special events, and community services.  It is expected that Leadership students carry a minimum of 2.5 GPA and no disciplinary events.

    Photography - (Year-long class)  ** Application Required  This academic and creative course covers all the basic black and white photography skills as well as digital photography and beginning filmmaking.  Students will learn how to compose a photo using both a manual 35mm camera as well as their iPad cameras. Students will learn how to develop B&W film, print enlargements in the darkroom, and prepare their work for exhibition. Students will also explore visual storytelling and digital presentation of themes including trying out new apps and equipment while learning about careers in photography and film.

    Yearbook - (Year-long class) Students in this course will produce the school’s memory book, the Yearbook.  Students will participate in taking photographs, planning layouts, developing content ideas, writing copy, and developing and implementing marketing ideas. Students will gain valuable and real-world skills such as how to work as a team, time management, business/sales/advertising, writing, responsibility, and communication.

    Woodshop – (Semester)  The eighth-grade woodshop class will focus on designing and constructing projects using design theory. Students will design projects using the many tools and machines in the lab.  Student projects can include making pens, toys, boxes, CO2 race cars, cutting boards, and even longboards.  Students also can belong to the Wood Turners Club and turn pens, bowls, and other great lathe projects.  Students get to develop their creative abilities and build self-esteem by applying their critical thinking skills to solve problems.

    KTV Media Production - (Year-long class) Students in the KTV Media Productions classes will prepare and produce Kenilworth’s daily live news broadcast, including scriptwriting, graphic design, movie making (filming/editing/producing w/Final Cut Pro, iMovie), tech crew (teleprompter, tri-caster, cameras, music, sound, graphics), news anchor and so much more!

    Drama - (Semester)  Drama class offers students a basic introduction to the world of theater.  Students will develop skills in pantomime, voice projection, improvisation, stagecraft, and drama production.  We will read a variety of plays every week, from folktales to Shakespeare.  Students will perform in one or more plays each semester.  

    Woodshop – (Semester) This is a creative, design-driven and project-based course with emphasis on design theory, shop safety, and the use of various power equipment including computer numeric control (CNC) machines and wood lathes. Students also learn drafting skills, precision measurement, shop math, and engineering design processes. Each student will plan and construct projects of their own design.

    Visual Arts 8 – (Semester) Visual Arts students in 8th grade continue to explore art and the design process through media such as pastel, paint, charcoal, clay, pencil, brush and ipad apps. The course is designed to act as an introduction or a continuation of the projects and skills offered in 7th grade class.  A whole new set of projects in 2-d and 3-d are explored while sampling art history and principles.  All levels of ability are welcomed and challenged in this class.

    Digital Design – (Semester) Students in the Digital Design class will explore a variety of programs and applications, including movie-making (writing, filming, editing, producing), digital art/animation, stop-motion animation, 3D architectural design, computer coding, graphic arts, 3D sculpting, website/blog design, computer game design and Google Earth trips.