Course Options
and
Descriptions

6th Grade Course Options

All sixth grade students will participate in PE class and then select between the following.

1. Band or Orchestra - these are both full year classes that will fill out a student's elective schedule.

2. Art/Music - Students will participate in Art class for one semester and then choose either:

- General Music Class or Vocal Music Class

7th Grade Course Options & Descriptions

Several of our classes are electives. This means the student may choose one course over another one also available.

Some electives carry with them the expectation the student will participate in out-of-school activities. These activities are designed to enhance the student’s learning and add to the success of the class activities. Failure to participate in course-related, out-of-school activities could result in a grade reduction for the student. Courses that require an additional outlay of funds are noted in the course descriptions.

7th Course Offerings

Band

FULL YEAR CLASS - Students in this performance activity may march in a parade in Salina on a weekday or weekend, march at one of the South High School home football games, and participate in evening performances at South Middle School during the fall, winter, and spring. Students may also participate in a music festival, with the possibility of performing a solo or in a small ensemble. Renting or purchasing an instrument may be a sizable financial investment for the family.

Art

Family & Consumer Science

Students in this semester long class will learn skills that empower individuals and strengthen families. Subject areas emphasized include: Human Relations, Consumerism, Employability, Interior Design, Goal Setting, as well as Cooking and Nutrition & Wellness. A unit on careers will help students prepare for the future. Students will practice refusal skills to help avoid risky behavior. Additional units include Bullying & Self-Esteem. Students are required to buy materials and complete a sewing project, while learning positive work habits. This class is an elective choice for students in both 7th and 8th grades.

Guitar

The Guitar class is designed for students who would like to take their guitar playing skills to the next level. Students will learn all chords in first positions, notes in first position, improvisation skills, new right hand techniques, and also many different popular songs on the guitar. The class will play on guitars furnished by the school, but it is encouraged that students have their own guitar at home to practice. Students may use a guitar that belongs to the school on a first come first serve basis as they are available. It will be expected that students practice a minimum of one hour on their own outside of school each week and will be tested on their progress. The class will give a performance at the conclusion of the semester. This class is an elective choice for students in both 7th & 8th grade.

Select Choir (Sensations)

FULL YEAR CLASS - select choir for students who are passionate about singing and performing. Students in this class can expect to grow in musicianship while singing in three parts, learning a wide variety of music, showing expression while singing, and combining singing with movement. Sensations has multiple performance opportunities throughout the school year including both school concerts and community performances. This group is audition-only, based on singing ability, work ethic, and character.

Orchestra

FULL YEAR CLASS - The orchestra classes are divided between a 7th and an 8th grade group for experienced string players, which meets each day. Orchestra performs evening concerts in the winter and spring. The orchestra also participates in the Western Kansas Orchestra Festival, which is an out-of-town, overnight trip and the Hays City Music Festival where students have the opportunity to perform solos and small ensembles. Students should have purchased and instrument by this time, unless they play cello or bass players.

Vocal Music

Introducation to Industrial Technology

Students will learn to work with basic hand tools and some power tools in a safe and productive manner in this semester-long course. Students will construct several small projects using different materials and processes. The projects constructed will go home with the students. Measuring skills will be taught along with Basic Drafting. Providing students exposure to real world problems, finding solutions to those problems and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) are part of the curriculum. Student accountability and responsibility are stressed in the curriculum.

8th Grade Course Options & Descriptions

Several of our classes are electives. This means the student may choose one course over another one also available.

8th Grade Course Offerings

Art

Band

Family & Consumer Science

Guitar

Advanced Guitar

FULL YEAR CLASS - The Advanced Guitar class is designed for students who have mastered the techniques taught in the first-year Guitar class. It will be expected that students practice a minimum of one hour on their own outside of school each week and will be tested on their progress. The class will give a performance at the conclusion of the semester, as well as a number of additional outside performances. Student in the class will be required to purchase a t-shirt they will wear during their performances. This class is an elective choice for students in the 8th grade and have completed the first-year Guitar class. Due to limited enrollment, selection will be based on those students who are ready to take their skills to the next level based upon their grades and attitudes displayed in their level 1 class. This is a year long class and commitment and is limited to 30 students.

Orchestra

FULL YEAR CLASS - The orchestra classes are divided between a 7th and 8th grade group for experienced string players, which meets each day. Orchestra performs evening concerts in the winter and spring. The orchestra also participates in the Western Kansas Orchestra Festival, which is an out-of-town, overnight trip and the Hays City Music Festival where students have the opportunity to perform solos and small ensembles. Students should have purchased an instrument by this time, unless they play cello or bass.

Select Choir (Sensations)

Introducation to Industrial Technology

Vocal Music

Student Services

Some 8th grade students are selected to assist staff in providing special services within our school. These positions call for the ability to work with students and adults. When considering students for these positions the students previous attendance, academic, and behavior records are taken into consideration. Students who are chosen to be student aides are expected to be a help to the teachers and students. Some positions are for a semester while others are for the entire year. Interviews with staff may determine final selection. Opportunities are available in the following areas: Office, Library, Counseling Center, Special Education – academic classroom, physical education, art, and music, and ELL (English Language Learners).

Introduction to Human Services

This course provides a general overview of a wide variety of careers in human services and is a good introduction for the Family, Community, and Consumer Services, Teaching, and Restaurant and Event Management pathways. Employability and communication skills are covered, as well as career exploration in the areas of education, child care, social work, banking, hospitality, apparel and interior design, customer service, training, consumer credit counseling, culinary and nutritionist services, management, and administration. This course will greatly benefit students whose career goals include working with and helping other people.

Gearing Up for High School

8th grade students will pick one of the following courses to take in the spring semester.

Business Essentials

This is a core course designed to give students an overview of the business, marketing and finance career cluster occupations. Students will examine current events to determine their impact on business and industry and legal and ethical behavior, acquire knowledge of safe and secure environmental controls to enhance productivity, determine how resources should be managed to achieve company goals, and identify employability and personal skills needed to obtain a career and be successful in the workplace.

Computer Applications

Leadership

Students will learn core leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, goal-setting, decision-making, and problem-solving. The course also emphasizes character development, including empathy, integrity, responsibility, and respect for diverse perspectives. Students will practice resolving conflicts, managing emotions, and using their voices effectively while learning that leadership is not about position or popularity, but about influence, service, and accountability.

Additional Performance Based Options:

The following courses may be required or recommended for students because of test scores, performance in previous academic courses, and/or teacher recommendation. Counselors will contact parents for students recommended for these courses. If you or your parents feel you would like to be considered for enrollment in any of these courses please have your parent contact your counselor.

Performance Based Course Offerings

Reading: Literacy 1st

This course offers additional skill instruction in reading. Teachers have received specific training on methods for building and strengthening weak or missing reading skills. Since reading is a foundational skill for all academic areas and is a critical lifetime need, this course is provides extra reading so that future career opportunities are attainable for all our students. This course is available to both 7th & 8th grade students.

Reading 8

This course is a full year course offered to 8th grade students and is designed for students who need continued support in learning and applying reading skills. This class continues to build vocabulary, teach comprehension strategies, and build reading fluency. Students who take this reading class will be better prepared for high school reading demands. This course is usually recommended for students who didn’t meet standard on the seventh grade reading state assessment but may not have room in their schedule for an intensive reading class. Students may request this class but most students are placed in this class as a result of previous year’s reading performance.

Advanced English

Advanced English is a course offered to 8th grade students who have well developed reading and writing skills. Students who take advanced English will be well positioned to move into Advanced English at the high school. The pace and work load of Advanced English will be faster and more sophisticated than the eighth grade English class. To be successful in Advanced English, students will need to be willing to work independently at times, revise and edit numerous times, and be responsible for work completion and asking when they need assistance. Teacher recommendations from 7th grade English, reading state assessment scores, seventh grade reading scores, and work habits are considered for placement in this class.

Advanced Reading 7

This course is a one-semester class for 7th grade students who are advanced readers and who have a strong work ethic. Students will read and analyze four novels during the semester as well as numerous primary documents related to each novel. There is more outside reading and homework required than in a general reading class. Several outside-the-classroom projects will also be completed during the semester. Students will also participate in Socratic discussion circles, which require higher-level thinking skills. This is an exciting course for advanced readers and it prepares them well for Advanced English 8.

Course Options and Descriptions

Course Options
and
Descriptions