Electives » Electives

Electives

ELECTIVES – FULL YEAR


ADVANCED & INTERMEDIATE BAND

(open to 7th and 8th grade students through teacher placement).  These bands offer instrumental music students an opportunity to further develop their performance skills and gain a life-long love and appreciation of music.  Performances include daytime and evening concerts at school as well as performances at Disneyland and the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.  All bands require a commitment for the entire year.


INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Intermediate Orchestra is our second level orchestra group for students who have completed Orchestra 1, or who have 2+ years of string instrument playing experience.  Instruments in the class include violin, viola, cello and bass.  This group plays more challenging music than Orchestra 1, and excellent music reading skills on a string instrument and proper string instrument technique are a necessity.  This group also plays a variety of exciting string music, ranging from pop, to classical, to movie themes and more.  The group performs at evening concerts, at community events, and may go on performance trips outside of the San Diego area.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.


ADVANCED ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Advanced Orchestra is designed for the most advanced string players at Black Mountain Middle School.  Instruments include violin, viola, cello and bass.  The group plays the most challenging music available for middle school orchestra, and the focus is on learning the most advanced string instrument skills.  Fluent music reading and advanced string playing technique are a necessity.  The group performs a variety of music, ranging from pop, to classical, to movie themes and much more.  This group performs at evening concerts, at community events, at orchestra festivals and goes on performance trips outside San Diego.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.


CHORUS – Chorus is a year-long course designed for students that have an interest in being a part of a vocal ensemble. No experience is required. Students will learn and develop upon their existing singing technique, learn music reading skills, and music history. Students will also explore a wide variety of music literature from classical to contemporary/popular pieces. This group will have two to four required evening performances and may go on performance trips to Music Festivals outside of the San Diego area.  


AVID 7TH GRADE

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  The AVID elective class targets students who have earned a 2.0-4.0 GPA and are willing to uphold BMMS's four core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and hard work as well as a desire to go to college.  Students receive daily instruction in notetaking, time management, organization, reading, writing, and study skills, and receive additional support twice a week through collaborative tutorial groups with peers and AVID-trained college tutors.


There is a strong bond between AVID students where students become friends and friends become the BMMS AVID Family. Seventh-grade AVID students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to go on at least one college field trip and a team building and leadership field trip! They will also engage in team building and motivational activities with local high school AVID students. To be considered, students must complete and submit both an online application and a private Flipgrid interview. Both will be available on March 4th and are due by March 29th. 


  

Additionally, AVID must be selected as the #1 elective choice on the Course Request. For more information about the AVID elective class at BMMS, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y8gcx7bb  

 

AVID 8TH GRADE

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  The AVID elective class targets students who have earned a 2.0-4.0 GPA and are willing to uphold BMMS's four core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and hard work as well as a desire to go to college. Students receive daily instruction in notetaking, time management, organization, reading, writing, and study skills, and receive additional support twice a week through collaborative tutorial groups with peers and AVID-trained college tutors.

 

There is a strong bond between AVID students where students become friends and friends become the BMMS AVID Family. AVID 8th graders will learn about high school and college requirements including the A-G requirements and the SAT and ACT tests.  They will also create their four-year plan for high school. Eighth-grade AVID students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to go on at least one college field trip, a teambuilding and leadership field trip, as well as a “Shadow Day” at a local high school!  To be considered, students must complete and submit both an online application and a private Flipgrid interview. Both will be available on March 4th and are due by March 29th.   

  

 

Additionally, AVID must be selected as the #1 elective choice on the Course Request. For more information about the AVID elective class at BMMS, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y8gcx7bb 

 

STUDENT AIDE

This elective is for those wishing to help in the office, library, or classroom. Clerical jobs and errands will be performed.  Grading is based on willingness to participate and ability to follow instructions.  Teacher recommendations and counselor approval required.  This class is a yearlong commitment.

 

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION

Digital Media - Intro to video, web design, and production

  • Web Design – WordPress,  SquareSpace, Weebly and Wix are platforms we use to make cloud-based learning fun.
  • Internet SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Through blog posting the students will learn how to be found and stay hidden with proper online etiquette. Internet security is also stressed
  • Final Cut Pro Editing.  More information:  itech104.com

 

GATEWAY TO TECHNOLOGY 1

Gateway to Technology is a Project Lead the Way program designed to engage students in a variety of STEM activities using the engineering design process. GTT-1 students will explore STEM topics such as coding, creating their own games and apps, robotics, and the science of technology.  This course focuses on hands-on activities and working collaboratively with peers.  Students may also have the opportunity to explore technology-oriented careers, as well as gaining exposure to high school pathway opportunities.  Different topics are offered in GTT 1, 2 and 3, so students may sign up every year if desired, and there are no prerequisites; each year is a standalone course.


GATEWAY TO TECHNOLOGY  2

Gateway to Technology 2 is a Project Lead the Way program designed to engage students in a variety of STEM activities.  In this course students will collaborate with their peers to explore topics such as Robotics, 3D-printing, coding, Medical Detectives and other types of technology through hands-on projects, STEM challenges, and activities. Students may also have the opportunity to explore technology-oriented careers, as well as gaining exposure to high school pathway opportunities. Different topics are offered in GTT 1, 2 and 3, so students may sign up every year if desired, and there are no prerequisites; each year is a standalone course. (May be offered every other year)

 

ART

Students in art will learn about the elements of art and principles of design.  They will experience art making in various forms including pencil, pen, watercolors, mixed media, and paint. The class is designed to be an introduction to art, art history, and art vocabulary. Students will collaborate with peers and participate in self, peer, and group critiques.

 

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Students will learn how digital cameras work, techniques to take quality pictures using them, the basics of exposure and how to manipulate their photos afterward in a number of artistic projects. 

 

BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Students in the introductory broadcast journalism class will work in a collaborative environment to create a quality television program for the students of BMMS. Students will learn how to write, shoot, edit, and produce stories. 

 

SPANISH 1-2

Spanish 1-2 is a year course designed for the 8th grade student wishing to begin an in-depth study of a foreign language.  Students wishing to enroll in this course should have strong language skills as well as strong study skills.  Spanish 1-2 is a high school equivalent class.  Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible for Spanish 3-4 in 9th grade.