ASB – 7th/8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: Teacher approval/Leadership Application

ASB is for caring, responsible, and innovative 7th and 8th graders who have excellent character and wish to make a difference at Serrano. Students are responsible for organizing and helping with lunchtime activities, dances, fundraisers, assemblies, student recognition, and other Serrano activities.  Good grades and citizenship are required.

7th and 8th Grade (By invitation only) Yearlong Elective

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), is a college readiness elective that is designed to increase school wide learning and performance. Highly motivated students apply and interview for a space in this elective class. This elective is a yearlong class that includes a field trip to a local college. Applications and interviews required.

MUSIC

CONCERT BAND (BEGINNING BAND) – 7th / 8th Grades Yearlong Elective

Learn to play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. No prior instrumental experience is required.  The primary focus of this course is to introduce students to basic musical skills such as basic music theory, basic rhythms, and proper playing of their instrument. Three major performances are scheduled throughout the year. Attendance at all scheduled performances and rehearsals is a required part of the class. Donations may apply.

CONCERT BAND (INTERMEDIATE BAND) – 7th / 8th Grades Yearlong Elective

This performance ensemble is designed for students in their 2^nd to 3^rd year of playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. The primary focus of this course is to further develop and expand musical skills such as intermediate-level music theory, basic intonation, and performing festival-appropriate level repertoire. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is a required part of the class. Three major performances are scheduled throughout the year. Donations may apply.

JAZZ BAND– 8th Grades Yearlong Elective

An instrumental, performance course designed for 8th grade students wanting to learn jazz music. Students will learn basic-to-advanced concepts, improvisation, and jazz theory. Donations may apply.

STRING ORCHESTRA (INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA) – 7th / 8th Grades Yearlong Elective

This performance ensemble is designed for students in their 2^nd to 3^rd year of playing a string instrument. The primary focus of this course is to further develop and expand musical skills such as intermediate-level music theory, basic intonation, and performing festival-appropriate level repertoire. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is a required part of the class. Three major performances are scheduled throughout the year. Donations may apply.

CHORUS – 7th / 8th Grades Yearlong Elective

This performance ensemble is designed for all students who have a desire to sing. This course focuses musical basics such as music theory, reading music, and proper signing technique. Musical selections will include music from all eras of history to modern tunes. Three major performances are scheduled throughout the year with selected festivals during the Spring trimester.  Some after school rehearsals may be required.  All rehearsals and performances are a required part of this class. Donations may apply.

FINE ARTS

ART 7 – 7th Grade Trimester Elective

Art 7 is an introductory course which explores works of art created with pencil, colored pencils, clay and paint. The course is designed for students to learn about the elements and principles of design while having a chance to use and experiment with a variety of techniques and media. Students get a chance to create cartoon characters, clay whistles, learn how to draw faces and people while beginning to understand perspective and how to incorporate their knowledge into their own unique works of art.

Art 8 – 8th Grade Trimester Elective

This is an 8^th grade course that explores various materials and processes. We will focus on drawing, painting and sculpture while incorporating some technology to produce original works of art. Donations may apply.

ADVANCED ART – 8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: Art 7 or teacher approval based on portfolio

This is a yearlong elective course that is designed for students with a definite interest in drawing, painting, and sculpture or any art related career. In this class students get to work on unique projects like murals around the school, larger than life size totem poles, life size sculptures, calendars, children’s books, screen printed t-shirts or mugs, musical instruments any many more. In this class, students will deepen their understanding of the world around them and begin to visually express their own unique vision through different mediums and with a variety of techniques. Donations may apply.

Good Morning Serrano (GMS) Broadcast – 7th/8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: Teacher approval/Application

Be part of the cast and crew of Good Morning Serrano (GMS). Create videos for the GMS broadcast show. Students will learn techniques for producing videos for broadcasts. Students will plan, script, shoot interviews and edit news and feature formatted videos. Students will become familiar and proficient with digital editing methods. Students should have the desire and ability to work well in a group atmosphere under the pressure of a daily deadline. Most assignments will take place in class, however, occasional scheduled school activities will necessitate after school work on a rotational basis. Students must complete an application; have a 2.5 GPA and no N’s or U’s in citizenship. Students will be working on the Internet and will need to complete a District Media Release Form.

PAL – 7th/8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: Teacher approval/Leadership Application

Peer Assistance & Leadership (PAL) is a leadership class that focuses on helping students, our school, and the community. PALs are role models on campus; they don’t just represent academically, they also represent the school in spirit, citizenship, and work ethic. PALs will participate in helping with assisting new students, tutoring, recycling, special education classes, various school activities, and team building opportunities.

PERFORMING ARTS

DRAMA/THEATER PRODUCTION - 7th/8th Grade Yearlong Elective

Drama/Theater Production is your opportunity to participate in all aspects of a play production from beginning to end. Enhance your ability to communicate with an audience and build characters through improvisation, pantomime, theater games and scene study. Serrano’s drama class is an interactive way to learn theater vocabulary, how to perform on stage, and discover the secrets behind both stage and film productions.Some after school rehearsals may be required.

The STEAM Village (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) elective is made up of 3 different trimester long electives (below).  Students will take these introductory level courses in 7th grade and more advanced level courses in 8th grade.  These courses will prepare students for pathway choices as they move into 9th grade at El Toro HS.  Each of these courses will be integrated into their core coursework (English, social studies, math & science) throughout the year.  Students will complete one major cross-curricular project each trimester.  Our goal is for students to be faced with real world problems and use design thinking in a project based learning environment to come up with solutions to these problems utilizing the tools and skills from each of these courses below.

Computer Science:

Students will learn problem-solving, web development, games & animations using  Code.org’s Computer Science curriculum.  Students will create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem-solving and fun. The 7th grade computer science course content will include a focus on apps and games. The 8th grade computer science course content will include a focus on HTML / Web design. 

Digital Media Arts:

Students will learn the language of film, editing, camera operating, directing, scoring and acting. Students will experience hands on projects centered around design thinking in a Project Based Learning environment.  Students will complete projects such as Fractured Fairy Tales and Homework Machine/Lunch Maker demonstrating knowledge of camera shots, angles, stop motion animation, video capturing and editing.

Engineering:

Students will explore the foundations of engineering and the design process.  Students will apply their knowledge through engaging, hands-on projects centered around design thinking in a Project-Based Learning environment. The seventh-grade engineering course content will include engineering fundamentals with  CAD/CAM/CAE and 3D printing. Eighth-grade engineering focuses on robotics and automation.

STEAM – 8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: STEAM 7, Teacher Approval

The second in the two course STEM/STEAM offering at Serrano. STEAM 8 is the 8^th grade component of STEAM Academy, and expands upon student’s 7^th grade experiences in STEAM 7/Woods. Students will continue to design projects using traditional drafting and CAD techniques, but in this course, the design process will be an integral part of the process. Building upon the tools and techniques from 7^th grade, students will use a variety of manufacturing processes including 3D printing to create their projects. Programming Arduino circuits, VEX robotics and Linkbots are also a featured part of the class. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents through a variety of challenges and competitions.

STUDENT AIDE

CLASSROOM AIDE - 8th Grade Trimester Elective

Students have the opportunity to assist a classroom teacher where they will learn useful skills in organization and responsibility. A GPA of 2.5, no N’s or U’s citizenship, no disciplinary infractions, and teacher recommendation is required.

OFFICE AIDE - 8th Grade Trimester Elective

Students have the opportunity to assist the front office staff where they will learn useful skills in organization and responsibility. A GPA of 3.0, no N’s or U’s citizenship, no disciplinary infractions, and office staff recommendation is required.

YEARBOOK / Publications - 7th/8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: Teacher approval/Application

Students will work together in all phases of yearbook planning. The course will include page layout, photography, design elements, writing copy, headlines and captions, and interviewing skills. The students will learn digital photography, Adobe Photoshop, and Studio Works (a special design program from Balfour/Taylor Publishing). Students will learn to import and edit photos and films. During the third trimester this class will produce digital movies, and Photo Story programs. Students will learn how to use digital video cameras and film editing software. Students will create the Online Seahawk News Magazine as well. We will publish 5 to 6 issues during the year to include articles, interviews, photo essays, stories, contests, and interactive pieces. 

WORLD LANGUAGE

SPANISH I - 8th Grade Yearlong Elective

PREREQUISITE: 7^th grade GPA of 3.5 or higher

The Level I courses facilitate the exploration of the fascinating world of the Spanish speaking people. Students will enrich their own world by learning and using a new language and appreciating a new culture. Most studies are conducted in a "real world" context and speaking, listening, reading and writing skills acquired will help students develop a global understanding necessary to become effective citizens of the twenty-first century. The first year of study will also increase the student's enjoyment when traveling throughout the world where Spanish is spoken. Placement criteria include GPA of 3.0 or higher, and proficiency in English reading comprehension and writing. Upon successful completion of Spanish I (B average), students may enroll in Spanish II in high school. Level I credit applies toward high school and college.