Elective Courses

Beginning Band

Course Title:

Beginning Band

Department:

Fine Arts-Music

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Beginning Band is a music class designed for students who have little or no musical training on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba. 

 

Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.  Curriculum is based on the Standards of Excellence Series - Red Book and selected literature that is aligned with California state standards.  

 

Upon completion of this course, musician will be able to play and perform basic major scales including B flat, E flat, F, A flat and the chromatic scale.  Additionally, musician will be able to demonstrate and perform a solo in the style of Bach.

Intermediate Band - “The Wave”

Course Title:

Intermediate Band

Department:

Fine Arts-Music

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Intermediate Band is a music class designed for students who have limited musical training (at least one year) on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba.

 

 Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.  Curriculum is based on the Standards of Excellence Series - Blue Book and selected literature that is aligned with California state standards.  

 

Upon completion of this course, musician will be able to play and perform basic major scales and their corresponding minor scales including B flat, E flat, F, A flat and the chromatic scale - in two octaves.  Additionally, musician will be able to demonstrate and perform a solo in the style of Bach and/or an All-State level solo.  Typically musicians will compete in one band competition in late spring.

Advanced Band - “Aqua Tunes”

Course Title:

Advanced Band

Department:

Fine Arts-Music

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Advanced Band is a music class designed for students who have at least two years of formal training on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba

 

 Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.  Curriculum is based on the Standards of Excellence Series - Green Book and selected literature that is aligned with California state standards. 

 

Upon completion of this course, musician will be able to play and perform basic major scales and their corresponding minor scales including B flat, E flat, F, A flat and the chromatic scale - in two octaves, as well as related but lesser played scales.  Musician will be able to demonstrate and perform a solo in the style of Bach and/or an All-State level solo.  Typically musicians will compete in one band competition in late spring.

MS Choir

Course Title:

Choir-Beginning and Performance

Department:

Fine Arts-Performing Arts

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

  Choir is a performing arts class designed for students who have little or no training in music vocal production coupled with music history and written expression. 

 

Daily voice exercises in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the beginning course. 

 

Mandatory assignments include the participation in schoolwide performances, and dramatic musicals paired with the El Segundo High School students also enrolled in choir. Advanced students compete across the states in music festivals and music in the parks activities.

Festival Choir

Course Title:

Festival Choir

Department:

Fine Arts-Performing Arts

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

  Festival Show Choir is composed of a select group of auditioned 6th-8th graders who sing popular music, show tunes, and classical music on stage. The festival choir attends festivals in Los Angeles county and performs throughout the year in varies performances in El Segundo. The students audition by singing a song and completing a dance audition to be placed in festival choir. Festival choir is centered around singing and dancing at the same time. Music theory, ear training, composition, music history, and singing is the main focus of the choir. The choir moves at a fast pace and learns 4-6 festival songs per trimester. Any student is able to audition. Auditions are held in May and June of each school year. Incoming 6th graders interested can be auditioned through appointments.

Theatre Arts - NEW!!!

Course Title:

Theatre Arts

Department:

Fine Arts-Performing Arts

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Take your performing to the next level! Students will learn basic music theatre skills while preparing for a musical theatre performance. 

 

Later in the year, students will write, produce and perform original plays.

There is no audition.

Art

Course Title:

Art

Department:

Fine Arts-visual Arts

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

This class is open to all students taking Art for the first time as a year-long art class.  

• Students expand upon their artistic skills and creative talents while using the Elements of Art (Shape, Line, Form, Color, Texture, Space) and the Principles of Design (Balance, Rhythm, Pattern, Movement, Unity, Emphasis, Contrast).   
• Students are introduced to art history and art appreciation.   
• Students explore different artists and their cultures.   
• Students visit the computer lab for technology-related art assignments.   
• Students have weekly homework assignments.  
• Students are required to keep an art sketchbook.

 

Additional skills will be taught based upon student abilities.

Lab fee requested = $40/student/year to cover the cost of projects.

7th & 8th grade CA State Content Standards for Visual Arts:

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/SS/vagrade6.asp

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/SS/vagrade7.asp

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/SS/vagrade8.asp

Spanish 1 and Spanish 2

Course Title:

Spanish 1 and Spanish 2

Department:

Foreign Languages

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Spanish classes at the Middle School level are parallel to the programs offered at El Segundo High School in the year long program. Students who complete these courses are eligible for continuing on the next level if the course completion exam is passed. Students are given priority in to the year long course from 8 th grade on down to 6 th grade. .

Yearbook/Journalism

Course Title:

Yearbook (7/8)/Journalism (6)

Department:

Information Technology

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Take your skills to the next level! You will manage the schools' online newspaper, prepare layouts and graphics for the yearbook, manage the ESMS podcast channel while advancing your computer skills. 

 

Tackle advanced excel spreadsheet creation (break out those formulas), compete with other students in web-design contests, help design the city of the future, design the next best invention, come up with a way to save the planet and design a better future, and produce full length motion pictures, animated shorts, while becoming more confident on the software used in today's leading industries.

Peer Assistance

Course Title:

Peer Assistance

Department:

Student Counseling and Conflict Management

Grade Level:

7-8

Course Description:

Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) is a state accredited, curriculum – based program offered at the El Segundo Middle School. Students are selected through an application and screening process. PALs are trained in mediation, communication and helping skills that are used to build an atmosphere of caring and understanding. PALs also work to facilitate a safer and more positive school experience. Students are given opportunities to work in a helping role with peers on their own campus as well as Center Street Elementary School. Student led community service projects are encouraged each year.

Computers

Course Title:

Computers

Department:

Information Technology

Grade Level:

6-8

Course Description:

Keyboard got you down? Not quite able to get those documents to look just right? Want to feel more comfortable using the computer and surfing the net? This is the course for you. 

 

Learn skills vital to survive in this increasingly technologically-oriented world. 

 

You'll learn to format documents, present in front of a class like a pro, develop online documents, presenations, learn to take control of your online image while being introduced to moviemaking, animation, podcasting, graphic design, page layout, and learning about internet safety.