Lakeland Highlands Middle School Elective Course Descriptions

Beginning SpanishLakeland Highlands Middle School Elective Course DescriptionsThis course is a semester long class with an emphasis on the audio perspective of Spanish to includefamiliarizing students with hearing and understanding the varying sounds of the language as well as thepronunciation when speaking the language. Students will also learn to read and write basic Spanish. It isthe first step to taking Spanish 1 Honors in 8 th grade for high school credit.Intermediate/Advanced SpanishThis yearlong course introduces the fundamental elements of the Spanish Language within a culturalcontext. Emphasis is on the development of basic listening, speaking reading, and writing skills. Uponcompletion, students should be able to comprehend and respond with grammatical accuracy to spokenand written Spanish as well as demonstrate cultural awareness.Spanish I High School CreditThis yearlong course is based on the belief that the purpose of learning Spanish is to communicate withthe people who speak it and to understand their culture. Students will gain practice with new vocabulary,speaking and listening, reading and grammar basics equivalent to a first year language class. Studentcan earn high school credit with the successful completion of the End of Course Exam.Beginning ChineseThe purpose of this year long course is to enable students to enhance proficiency in Chinese through alinguistic, communicative, and cultural approach to language learning. There is continued emphasis onthe development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and on acquisition of the fundamentalsof applied grammar. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are emphasizedthroughout the course.Physical EducationLHMS offers a semester long Physical Education course that includes a focus on physical fitness andteam sports. Daily activities include running, stretching, and fun physical fitness activities.Comprehensive P.E. classes include fitness exercises of running, pushups, sit-ups, and stretching withgames and sports of flag football and soccer.Team SportsThe purpose of this course is to develop the physical skills necessary to be competent in many forms ofmovement, knowledge of team sports concepts such as offensive and defensive strategies and tactics,and appropriate social behaviors within a team or group setting. The integration of fitness conceptsthroughout the content is critical to the success of this course.Extreme SportsThe purpose of this course is to provide the skills, knowledge, and motivation necessary for participationin non-traditional forms of physical activity. The integration of fitness concepts throughout the content iscritical to student success in this course and in the development of a healthy and physically activelifestyle.Computer Applications IThis semester long course is an introduction to basic computer operations and keyboarding with a typingproficiency of 35 wpm. Software programs include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Internet navigation.

Computer Applications IIDuring this semester long course students will learn to use Microsoft Office applications includingMicrosoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher ,and Excel. This course utilizes the Learn Key program whichteaches certifiable Microsoft Office skills combined with classroom instruction, individual and groupprojects, and an introduction to design.Digital Design IThis course is designed to develop basic entry-level skills required for careers in the digital publishingindustry. The content includes computer skills; digital publishing concepts and operations; layout, design,and measurement activities; decision-making activities; and digital imaging.Web DesignThis course is designed to provide a basic overview of the Internet, Intranet, and WWW. The contentincludes operating systems; basic HTML commands; navigation of the Internet, Intranet, and Web; andWeb page design.Explore Production TechnologyThe yearlong course is to give students an opportunity to explore the area of production technologyStudents will be given the opportunity to solve technological problems using a variety of tools, materials,processes and systems while gaining an understanding of the effects of production and constructiontechnologyon our everyday lives.Exploration of Aerospace TechnologyThis yearlong course is to give students an opportunity to explore the area of aerospace technology. Thestudents study many aspects of technology including Aerodynamics and Flight, as well as Bridge Designand Transportation. Some of the projects or problem solvers may include building Bridges, File FolderCars, Hot Air Balloons, Balsa Gliders, Mouse Traps, CO2Powered Cars, and 2-Liter Bottle Rockets.Robotics I High SchoolThis yearlong course is a high school credit class in Robotics. Students will use a hands-on approach thebasic concepts in robotics with an emphasis on mobile robots. Course information will be tied to labexperiments and students will work in teams to build and test increasingly more complex LEGO-basedmobile robots. Basic concepts will be discussed including path planning using both geometry and multiplesensor feedback, interpreting sensor feedback, calculating threshold values, understanding conditionalstatements, and systems analysis. Students will also document and explain results.TV ProductionCVTV is a yearlong TV and Film class. Students will learn to put together video packages for inclusion inthe morning show. In addition, students make short films, documentaries, commercials, and musicvideos. The class requires responsible students capable of working independently and creatively withother students.YearbookThis year long course offers a mixture of digital design, photography, and journalism. In yearbook,students report on school activities and news producing the quarterly Cougars' Mark newspaper. They

are also responsible for the design of the school yearbook. Students who are imaginative, self-motivated,and responsible are encouraged to apply. Yearbook staff members must meet deadlines with stories andphotographs, sell ads, cover before and after school events, and exhibit creativity in their page designs.Band IIn this year long course, students learn how to read music and perform music on an instrument. Studentsdo not need any experience or prior musical knowledge and there are no applications orauditions. Students get to choose their instrument with the help of trained professionals. There is also anoptional summer band for students who are interested in getting a head start. During the school yearband students will perform in three concerts after school and three rehearsals before school; all otheractivities are conducted during the school day. Payment plans and scholarships are available to cover thecost of an instrument for students with a hardship circumstance.Jazz BandJazz Band provides all Middle School band students an opportunity to learn and perform jazz and rockstyles of music. The performance schedule for these ensembles will vary throughout the year.Explore Music IIn this semester long course students will get a window into a better understanding of music of all types.Topics of instruction include Word Music, music basics, time periods, instruments, and composers.Symphonic BandStudents study a variety of styles of music literature, emphasizing full band, solo, and ensembleperformance. Students continue to develop good tone, intonation, articulation, and style. The SymphonicBand participates in school concerts and local, district and regional festivals.OrchestraIn this year long course students learn to play, perform, and read music via string instruments includingthe violin, viola, cello, and string bass. The students perform two after school concerts each year.Chorus IThis year long course provide basic training in choral singing and musicianship. Emphasis will be placedon correct posture, tone production, basic musical terms and symbols, note reading, and beginning sightreadingskills. In addition, music enrichment and music appreciation units are incorporated into thecurriculum. Performance opportunities include School Concerts, All County Chorus, and Disney MagicMusic Days.Chorus II and IIIThis yearlong course is performance based. Students will sing music in two or three part harmony andlearn the basics of reading choral sheet music. Music will vary in genre from popular to classical.Teamwork, cooperation, and gaining self-confidence through performing will be emphasized, as well asindividual and group vocal techniques. Students will be graded on cooperation, self-discipline,participation, and attendance at concerts. These courses require successful completion of previous yearsof chorus.

DramaThis yearlong course is an introduction to effective communication. Special interest is placed on theindividual, learning how to handle speech anxiety, developing a personal style of presentation, andunderstanding audience reactions. The course explores the theatre experience from a variety ofperspectives, including the audience, the playwright, the actor, the designer, and the director.Musical ArtThe purpose of this course is to enable students to develop fundamental skills in stagecraft and applythem through practical experiences. Students will learn safety issues and regulations-theatre terminologyelementsof technical theatre-trends in technical design-relationship between script and directorialconcepts-properties, costumes, and make-up-lighting and sound-artistic discipline-careers-connectionsbetween stagecraft and other subject areasArt Two Dimensional I and IIArt Appreciation 1 and 2 are a semester long course that provides students with a 2-D experience.Lessons are designed to develop basic drawing and design skills that will lay the foundation forsubsequent problem-solving projects in painting. Slide presentations and visual references to artists andtheir work will also be used to provide students with exposure to varying art designs.3D ArtIn this yearlong course students will explore the 3-dimension art as a different approaches to drawingwhile applying the elements and principles of design to develop skills and sensitivity to line, shape, color,value, texture and composition. A variety of mixed media and drawing techniques will be explored.Students will be expected to develop technical skills and their own styles of drawing.Portfolio ArtIn the yearlong course students will continue to be exposed to uses of a wide range of media, along withmultiple uses and combinations, while they develop a personal, visual concentration with their work. Theywill analyze and apply issues related to form and subject matter while they explore art works created bycontemporary and professional artists. The development of original ideas and communicating those ideasvisually in three-dimensional form will be emphasized.Introduction to Law, Public Safety, and Exploration of Criminal JusticeThe purpose of this course is to provide information regarding careers in the Law, Public Safety &Security career cluster. The student will be provided with basic information about the kinds of jobs andworkers involved, the various career paths, occupational hazards, educational requirements, financialrewards, interpersonal and communication skills, and employability skills required. Instruction andlearning activities are provided using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technologyappropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices.

Exploration of Communications TechnologyThe purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to explore the area of communicationstechnology and its associated careers. Students will be given the opportunity to solve technologicalproblems using a variety of tools, materials, processes and systems while gaining an understanding ofthe effects of communications technology on our everyday lives. Student will study the aspects of thecore concepts of technology and how it effects cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of life.Introduction to Health SciencesThe yearlong course provides an understanding of the Therapeutic Services career pathway.Student will acquire an understanding of Diagnostics Services, Health Information Services, andBiotechnology Research and Development career pathway. In addition, they will apply leadership andcommunication skills and learn how information technology is used in the Health Sciences.Orientation to Health OccupationsThe purpose of this yearlong course is to expose students to Health Science career studies. The contentincludes but is not limited to basic information about the kinds of jobs and workers involved the variouscareer paths, financial rewards, occupational hazards, and educational requirements. Informationconcerning the practices for promoting good health is included. Student will identify life stages and thehealth care needs of each and demonstrate an understanding of principles of wellness, the science in thehealth care field, and the employability skills related to health occupation.Health Sciences Orientation to NursingThe purpose of this yearlong course is to expose students to Health Science career studies in the area ofnursing. Student will learn the history of nursing, the essential qualities of nursing, and demonstrate anawareness of the various career paths for nursing. Student will identify life stages and the health careneeds of each as well as an understanding of wellness and the science of nursing.