Mrs. Regan Kazel
Grade 8
Junior High Electives
Creative Writing
This course provides students the opportunity to let their creativity language flow. From exploring what makes a single line of text saturated with meaning to creating a piece of writing that shares the depth of a moment, students will be immersed in the beauty of the English language.
Dimensional Art
Mrs. Karen Straub
Grade 8
Dimensional art will move students beyond the traditional paper and pencil drawings. Projects will include papier-mâché, sculpture, glass fusing, ceramics, etc.
Entrepreneurship 1A
Mr. Steve Marcus
Grades 7 & 8
This course introduces students to the
entrepreneurial mindset and encourages problem
solving. Students do projects that highlight problem
solving and critical thinking skills. The course allows
students to find problems, formulate business ideas
to solve those problems, develop prototypes, and
how to market their product ideas.
Entrepreneurship 1B
Mr. Steve Marcus
Grade 8
This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in Entrepreneurship 1A. Students do projects that highlight problem solving and critical thinking skills. The course allows students to find problems, formulate business ideas to solve those problems, develop prototypes, and how to market and pitch their product ideas.
Environmental Science
Miss Katelyn Seliskar
Grade 8
Environmental science is a multidisciplinary approach and a study of interactions among biological, chemical, physical, and human social forces. We will use science as a process to explore the Earth as an interconnected system and how humans affect these systems from both an objective and cultural standpoint. Students will learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability and create short documentaries to share with the larger community what they have learned.
Famous Art and Artists
Mrs. Karen Straub
Grade 8
A look at famous artists and their art works will enable students to create their own paintings, sculptures, painted fabrics, ceramics, etc. This course will allow students to create a variety of pieces while experimenting with different art techniques and art media.
French 1A
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grades 7 & 8
Students in French 1A are introduced to the basics of
the French language and culture. French 1A focuses
on simple everyday spoken French as well as
pronouns, colors, people, verbs, food, word genders,
articles, and pronunciation. French 1A has a fluency
component that is used as supplemental material to
class work. (A language should be taken in grade 7 if you wish to continue in grade 8.)
French 1B
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grade 8
(Grade 7 is offered only if enough interest)
This course is a continuation of the lessons learned
in French 1A. It allows for an additional quarter of a
language in 7th grade. Students continue to learn
everyday French following the daily life of a family.
This class is designed so students will be familiar
with the different sounds in French as well as the use
of idiomatic expressions and phrases.
French 1C
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grade 8
This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in French 1B. It allows for an additional quarter of a language in 8th grade. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of the French language and culture. French 1A & French 1B are prerequisites.
General Music
Miss Lindsay Osterholt
Grades 7 & 8
A non-performing theory based quarter elective
following the curriculum from the State of Ohio
which fosters the development of music skills
including listening, analyzing, composing, playing
instruments and singing.
Graphic Arts 1A
Mr. Michael Martinek
Grades 7 & 8
An introductory class to graphic design and digital
photography. Students will use Adobe Photoshop to
edit and manipulate images, create graphically
designed projects in various design programs, and
use camera equipment to take photographs.
Graphic Arts 1B
Mr. Michael Martinek
Grade 8
A continuation class to Graphic Arts 1A that incorporates graphic design and digital photography and advances those topics into aspects of animation and video editing. Students will use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects to edit and manipulate images and videos, create graphically designed projects in various design programs, and use camera equipment to take photographs and videos. Graphic Arts 1A is a prerequisite course.
History of Rock & Roll (part 1)
Miss Lindsay Osterholt
Grades 7 & 8
This course will trace the roots and development of
American popular music from the 1900’s to 1970.
Students will explore books, videos, song lyrics and
the music of the period. Topics to be analyzed
include: rock roots, rhythm & blues, early vocal
groups, crossovers and covers, British Invasion,
Motown, soul music, folk-rock, singer-songwriters
and more.
History of Rock and Roll (part 2)
Miss Lindsay Osterholt
Grade 8
This course will pick up the History of Rock and Roll from the 1970’s to today. Students will explore books, videos, song lyrics and the music of the period. Topics to be analyzed include: disco, punk rock, southern rock, arena rock, soul, R&B, Grunge, Bubblegum Pop and more! (Students do not have to take part 1 to enroll in part 2)
Laser Cutting
Mr. Tim Stuber
Grade 8
A deep dive class focused on learning and using CorelDraw software and the Laser Cutter technology. Students will use various media and the engineering design method to solve problems and create projects using our laser cutter.
Music Technology
Miss Lindsay Osterholt
Grade 8
This course introduces the fundamentals of music technology in the context of its historical and cultural use. Scientific foundations of acoustics, hearing, and digital audio as well as technical skills for music production will be addressed. Students will have hands on experience and practical applications of these concepts as well as audio recording and music production techniques.
Musical Theatre
Miss Lindsay Osterholt
Grade 8
This course is an exploration of American Musical Theatre. Students will study the work of the actor/singer/dancer and use their gained knowledge to develop as performers. Students will have opportunities to prepare and present as soloists as well as members of small groups and ensembles.
Painting
Mrs. Karen Straub
Grade 8
In this course, students will use a variety of types of paint to learn correct application processes. A study of painters and painting techniques will be included in this quarter.
Personal Finance
Mr. Steve Marcus
Grades 7 & 8
This class will provide students with the basic
fundamentals of budgeting, saving, credit, debt,
investment and long term financial planning.
Students will also learn basic accounting skills and
economic principles. The goal being to prepare
students to build strong money habits early on so
they are better prepared as they move on to being
young adults.
Physical Education
Mrs. Katy Perse
Grades 7 & 8
A quarter based elective following the curriculum
from the State of Ohio which fosters the
development of individual athletic skills and as well
as participating in team sports.
Hands-On Children's Literature
Mrs. Reagan Kazel and Mr. Michael Martinek
Grades 7 & 8
TBA
Sculpting
Mrs. Karen Straub
Grade 8
Students will create a variety of sculptures using different art media. The course will include a study of famous sculptors and their art pieces. Media may include wood, cardboard, clay, and digital sculpting.
Spanish 1A
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grades 7 & 8
An introductory course that builds on what students
have learned in K-6. Students use an
intermediate textbook series to continue grammar
and vocabulary instruction to build up their vocabulary,
pronouns, adjectives and verbs. This course encourages students to use
listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to
further their knowledge of the Spanish
language and culture. (A language should be taken
in grade 7 if you wish to continue in grade 8.)
Spanish 1B
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grade 8
(Grade 7 is offered only if enough interest)
This course is a continuation of the lessons learned
in Spanish 1A. It allows for an additional quarter of
a language in 7th grade. Students will continue to
develop their listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of
the Spanish language and culture. (This course is
offered in 8th grade and will only be offered in 7th if
there is enough interest.)
Spanish 1C
Mrs. Martha DiGiannantonio
Grade 8
This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in Spanish 1B. It allows for an additional quarter of a language in 8th grade. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. Spanish 1A & Spanish 1B are prerequisites. (Course offering is based on interest.)
Speech and Debate
Mr. Timothy Stuber
Grades 7 & 8
An introductory course that covers a variety of styles
of public speaking and formal debate. Through
research and practice, students will become familiar
with these styles and their uses.
Technology
Mr. Timothy Stuber
Grades 7 & 8
An introductory class to coding, STREAM tools and
robotics. Students will practice their coding skills
using various robotics and online resources and
explore STREAM center technology to create one or
more hands on products by the end of the quarter.
Video Game Design
Mr. Tim Stuber
Grade 8
An introduction to game design using the Unreal Engine. Students will use Unreal software to create and modify environments and levels, manipulate textures and lighting effects, experiment with
in-game physics and explore basic animations and movements. By the end of the class, students should have created an interactive game environment.
Visual Arts
Mrs. Karen Straub
Grades 7 & 8
A review and application of art techniques in various
media forms including ceramics, painting, and
drawing. Students will continue their study of art
history, artists, and art styles while creating their own
unique works of art.
Yoga and Meditation
Mrs. Katy Perse
Grades 7 & 8
This course is designed to introduce students, safely
and accessibly, to the basic postures, breathing
techniques, and relaxation methods of yoga.
Students will begin to experience the benefits of
stretching, moving, and breathing freely as they
relieve built up stress, learn to relax, and ultimately
get more out of day-to-day life. The aim of this
course is to promote vibrant health and to tap the
body’s latent energy reserves.