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6th Grade Elective Courses

 

Debut Band (Year-long) 
This is a beginner-level band that teaches the basic elements of music playing skills and is an introduction to instrumental music. Most Debut Band students are learning to play their first musical instrument, but it is also an option for students with prior musical experience who have not played a band instrument. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a workbook and music. Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and an instrument will be provided if you are unable to cover the cost of instrument rental.   

 

Concert Choir (Year-long) 

This ensemble introduces choral concepts as students learn to sing in an environment that fosters community and teaches them how to navigate their developing voices. Literature performed during the year will specifically cater to students’ vocal ranges and interests and will allow us to explore music from cultures around the world. No prior experience or ability to read music is required: this is the class to develop those skills! There is a $25 course fee to purchase a Choir Shirt, folder, and music. Financial assistance is available to cover this fee. 

  

Semester-long Courses   
Students who do not participate in band or choir will choose two semester-long courses designed to give students variety, help them discover areas of interest, and have experiences in different content areas. The four courses currently offered are: 

 

• Art Exploration – Ready to grow your creativity and imagination? Students will explore a variety of materials, including clay, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal. Discover the visual arts and how to use them as an expressive form of communication. Become a maker through cartooning, collage, ceramics, print making (carving rubber blocks to make your own stamps), and more! Learn about the design process and create projects you'll be proud of and have fun making! 

• Digital Design – People use technology to create amazing things! We will explore being both engineers and artists in this class. As engineers, we will code video games, 3D model, and design solutions to problems. As artists, we will use computers to do pixel art, animation, digital painting, and more. Then we can bring our work into the real world with laser cutters, a Cricut cutter, 3D printers, and a giant poster printer. Let’s make something great! 

• Drama – Craft imaginary worlds, bring characters to life, and create memorable and meaningful moments. Through research, creative problem solving, and improvisation, students design and perform scenes that explore genres like science fiction, historical fiction, musicals, and more. Students will shape characters, create atmospheres, and develop key performance skills while integrating costume, light, and set design. Field trip opportunities will be explored to introduce students to live theatre. 

• Makers Lab – Innovators are the minds behind many of today's technologies. They find new ways to turn imagination into reality. Students will be introduced to engineering concepts and the design process through creating with materials like cardboard, KEVA planks, K’nex, paper, and cloth. Explore building towers, race cars, arcade games, simple machines, and more!  

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Cursos electivos de 6º grado

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7th and 8th Grade Elective Courses

 

2D Art: Let's Get Loud! Creating art focused on social justice and using your voice. (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8) 

Discover the power of your artistic voice in our dynamic 2D Art class! You'll dive deep into the world of Art Elements and Design Principles while creating meaningful 2-dimensional artworks that highlight important issues and personal causes. Experiment with graphite, ink, pastels, paints, and more as you master various drawing techniques, including perspective, portraiture, graphic art, and cartooning. Along the way, you'll explore the works of famous artists, delve into art movements, and expand your art vocabulary. Join us and let your creativity shine!

 

3D Art: Bodies in Motion - Using bodies as armatures, as inspiration, and as makers. (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)  

Unleash your creativity in our exciting 3D Art class! You'll explore the artistic elements of form and space by designing and crafting amazing 3D artworks. Imagine creating projects inspired by human and animal bodies, and even using your own body as a framework! You'll work with a variety of materials like clay, cardboard, plaster, papier-mâché, and more. Dive into multi-step projects while discovering the fascinating world of installation art and the rich history and culture behind sculpture. Join us and bring your artistic visions to life!

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Coding with Minecraft and Python (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)       

Get ready for an exciting adventure in coding! In the first half of this class, you’ll dive into Minecraft and create awesome projects like a zombie apocalypse, a thrilling parkour course, a portable base, and stunning pixel art. Then, we’ll switch gears to Python coding, where you’ll learn a valuable skill to create your own game, a compliment generator, a movie recommender, and much more. Join us and discover the fun of coding!

 

Concert Band (Year-long – Grades 7, 8) 
This class is for students who participated in Debut Band or Premier Band during 6th grade. Concert Band is designed for students with at least one year of previous band experience. In this class, students will begin to be more responsible for individual preparation. There are 3 evening performances during the school year. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a music and cover other expenses; Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and the cost of the instrument. 

 

Concert Choir (Year-long – Grades 7, 8)  

This ensemble introduces choral concepts as students learn to sing in an environment that fosters community and teaches them how to navigate their developing voices. Literature performed during the year will specifically cater to students’ vocal ranges and interests and will allow us to explore music from cultures around the world. No prior experience or ability to read music is required: this is the class to develop those skills! There is a $25 course fee to purchase a Choir Shirt, folder, and music. Financial assistance is available to cover this fee. 

 

Debut Band (Year-long – Grades 6, 7, 8)

This is a beginner-level band that teaches the basics of music playing skills and is an introduction to instrumental music. Most Debut Band students are learning to play their first musical instrument, but it is also an option for students with previous musical experience who have not played a band instrument. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a workbook and music. Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and an instrument will be provided if you cannot cover the cost of instrument rental. 

 

Drama (Semester-long – Grades 6, 7, 8)  

Step into the spotlight and unleash your creativity in our Drama class! You'll craft imaginary worlds, bring characters to life, and create unforgettable moments. Through research, creative problem-solving, and improvisation, you'll design and perform scenes in exciting genres like science fiction, historical fiction, musicals, and more. Shape unique characters, create immersive atmospheres, and develop essential performance skills while incorporating costume, lighting, and set design. Plus, we'll explore field trip opportunities to experience the magic of live theatre. Join us and let your imagination soar!

 

Engineering and Design (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)  

Get ready to bring your ideas to life in our Engineering and Design class! You'll start with brainstorming and sketching your concepts on paper, then model them using computer software. Learn to code minicomputers called Arduinos to control lights and musical instruments. Use design software to create the perfect house or city, and with the help of a laser cutter, you'll build your creations. Join us and watch your ideas come true!

 

Leadership (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)  

Are you ready to become a leader and make a positive impact at Tolt? In this class, you'll develop your leadership strengths, build your character, and learn to serve others. You'll gain real-life experience in showing kindness, compassion, and empathy. We'll have fun while learning how to be inspiring leaders both in school and in our community. Join us and get ready to transform lives!

 

Peer Tutor (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)  

Become a positive role model and make a difference as a Peer Tutor! This class is perfect for responsible and caring students who want to gain valuable skills and experience. As a peer mentor, you'll assist students in the Life Skills Program with reading, writing, math, social skills, and even elective classes like Art. You'll work closely with students, providing guidance and support to help them succeed academically and socially. This role will not only enhance your leadership and communication skills but also foster empathy and understanding. By joining this class, you'll contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive school community where every student feels valued and empowered. Don't miss this opportunity to make a meaningful impact and develop lifelong skills!

 

Physical Education General (Semester-long – Grades 6, 7, 8 – 1 semester (or equivalent class) required for each grade)

Step into a world of movement, fun, and personal growth in our Physical Education class! Tolt PE is for students of all athletic skill levels and will provide the opportunity to discover your strengths, set goals, and build confidence in a supportive setting with both competitive and non-competitive play. With a curriculum designed to foster physical skill development and personal wellness, you'll explore fitness activities, engage in exciting games, and build habits for a healthy lifestyle. Join us and discover the joy of movement and the camaraderie of sportsmanship in Tolt PE!

 

Spanish 1 (Year-long – Grade 8) 

Students learn Spanish by listening, speaking, and writing with the use of a textbook, workbooks, CDs, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, interactive partner-based activities, and one-on-one presentations aimed at teaching basic vocabulary and grammar. Spanish culture is also studied. Please take into consideration: Students earn high school credit for this course and grades impact high school GPA. Students must maintain a passing grade in this class and their ELA class to continue in Spanish at the second semester. This class is not intended for heritage/native speakers of Spanish. If you are a heritage/native speaker of Spanish, please talk to your counselor about alternative language placement and high school credit options. 

 

Symphonic Band (Year-long – Grade 8)

This upper-level ensemble class is for students who participated in Concert Band. Symphonic Band is designed for students with at least two years of previous band experience. In addition to musical skills, this class teaches students leadership skills and how to work as part of a team. There are evening performances throughout the year, including a performance with the Cedarcrest HS Band! There is a $25 course fee to purchase music and participate in festivals; Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and the cost of the instrument.

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Team Sports - Physical Education (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8 – 1 semester (or equivalent class) required)

Get ready to play and compete! This course is all about developing your skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship through a variety of exciting team sports. You'll learn the fundamentals, game strategies, and rules for sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, and more! We'll focus on improving individual skills, understanding team dynamics, and fostering cooperation and fair play. Perfect for those with a competitive spirit, this class requires active participation and a positive attitude toward physical activity. If there's not enough interest, students will default to General PE. Join us and bring your game to the next level!

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Unified Physical Education (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8 – 1 semester (or equivalent class) required)

This course brings together students of all abilities to develop physical fitness, build teamwork, and create meaningful social connections. You'll pair up with peers, both with and without disabilities, to engage in cooperative activities, team sports, and individual fitness challenges. Our curriculum emphasizes understanding, empathy, and leadership while promoting physical activity and wellness for everyone. Through shared experiences, you'll develop a strong sense of community, improve communication skills, and celebrate diverse abilities. Unified PE is perfect for general education students who want to be PE peer mentors and make a positive impact. Come be a part of something special!

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Video Production (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)          

Lights, camera, action! In our Video Production class, you'll learn the art of filming and editing to create your own movies. We'll dive into making music videos, spooky films, fake movie trailers, silent films, dramatic scenes, and more. Discover how to do amazing effects like wielding a Lightsaber or using green screen technology. Ever dreamed of being a streamer? You'll also learn how to capture and edit gameplay footage from your computer screen. Join us and create something awesome with your friends!

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Walking Fitness - Physical Education (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8 – 1 semester (or equivalent class) required)

Discover the benefits of walking! This course introduces you to walking as a lifelong fitness activity, improving your physical health, mental well-being, and overall fitness. You'll learn proper walking techniques, set goals for step counts or distance, and understand the benefits of cardiovascular exercise. Enjoy paced walks, track your progress with pedometers, and participate in themed walking challenges to stay motivated. You'll also learn about safe walking practices, the importance of posture, and stretching techniques for warm-up and recovery. Designed for all fitness levels, this class is perfect for students interested in walking for exercise rather than traditional sports and games. If there's not enough interest, students will default to General PE. Join us and take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle!

 

Yearbook/Publications (Year-long – Grades 7, 8 – Selection through application process)  

This class focuses on using technology and creativity to complete a variety of projects. While the making of the TMS yearbook takes center stage, other projects include websites and videos. Students will develop professional skills while learning and using design, digital photography, resume writing, and video production.  Team members must be able to manage time and stress well, work independently and in groups and, above all, have a positive attitude and a strong desire to create. Students can retake this course. There is a $35 course fee to purchase the yearbook. Financial assistance is available.  

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Cursos electivos de 7º y 8º grado