This summary provides an overview of the elective assembly presentation at Iron Horse Middle School for the 2013-2014 school year: - The assembly introduced students to the various elective options available to them and provided information to help students complete their course selection sheets, which were due by April 12th. - Electives covered a wide range of subjects from art, technology, drama, languages, music and more. Many electives had prerequisites or application requirements. - The presentation provided guidance to help students choose electives that fit their interests and eligibility requirements. Students were encouraged to speak with counselors and teachers for more information.

1. Iron Horse Middle
School
2013-2014
Elective Assembly

2. Welcome to the elective assembly!
Today, our goal is to:
• Give you a preview of elective options
• Provide you with information to help you
complete your 2013-2014 course selection sheet
• Inform you about requirements such as GPA
minimums and applications for certain classes

3. Here are some good questions to ask
yourself to help you choose the best
elective for you:
• Do I want a year long or semester elective?
• Am I eligible for electives that require a B- or
better, or for Application-required electives?
• Do I want to try different things or stick to what I
know?

4. How many periods of electives?
Two periods
Of electives
1 yearlong
2 yearlong
and 4 semester
2 semester

5. How can I find out more?
• Watch this preview of the electives we offer at IH
• Talk to your counselors and teachers to get more
information about electives you are interested in
• Choose what is best for you
• Now let’s take a look at some of our great electives…

6. Art 1
Drawing & Painting
☞ Develop your creative skills through a series of
projects that incorporate your likes and interests
☝ Use various mediums including graphite and colored
pencils, markers, paints, pastels, and watercolors
✌ All skill levels welcome, from novice to expert

7. Art 2
Sculpture & Mixed Media
✄ Combine mediums in collages, paper mache,
ceramics, metal and wire sculpture
☯ Participate in shows, contests, and campus projects
☸ Must have completed Art 1

8. Adv Tech 1
Semester elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Work in groups at module
stations for 10 days each
• Rotate through eight
modules a semester
• Create hands-on and
activity-based projects
that you can take home
• “School to Career”
Pathway to high school
programs such as
Engineering School at
CHS

9. Adv Tech 1 modules include:
include
• Digital photography
• Pens and Puzzles
• Engineering
• Digital Music
• Plastics
• CNC Mill
• Fashion/Color by Design
• Aviation
• CO2 car-dragster design
• Robotics
• And more…!

10. Adv Tech 2
Semester elective for 8th graders only
• Must have Mrs. Cicatelli’s
recommendation and at
least one semester of
Adv Tech 1
• Work on technology and
career related
independent study project
• Choose and purchase
your own projects!

11. Computer Projects/Multimedia
Design and Create your own Projects including
3D graphic design, animation, music,
programming, video, photography, game
development, and more!

12. Homepage
 Learn to design and create your own web
pages.
 Learn to write HTML, “The Language of the
Internet”.
 Use Dreamweaver and iWeb to create
websites.
 Add Graphics, animation, sound and video to
create interactive sites.

13. Media & Graphic Design/Animation
Drawing/Storyboarding
Graphic Art
Animations
Video with Animation
Digital Storytelling

14. Computer Apps
“There’s an App for that!” Learn, share and
evaluate your favorite Apps. Use painting,
drawing, and sound programs, like Photoshop,
Ilustrator, Garageband, Google Docs, Prezi,
Animoto and more.

15. Beginning Drama
Semester elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Develop acting skills
and create characters
through script work and
Drama games and
exercises.
• Participate in an
improvisation team and
compete through fun
Drama activities.
• Present scenes,
monologues or short
plays to live audiences

16. Advanced Drama
Semester elective for 8th graders who have completed Drama I
• Performance-based class
• Train in acting, movement,
and voice
• Showcase your talent in a
full-length play or musical
production
• Class requires some after
school rehearsals
• Interested students who have
NOT taken Drama I will be
placed on a waitlist.

17. Stagecraft
Semester elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Hands on creative class where
students design and create
scenery, costumes and lighting for
the Advanced Drama production.
• Students work backstage during
plays in the lights and sound booth,
moving scenery, and assisting
actors with costumes and make up.
• Students must attend ALL Dress
Rehearsals and Performances

18. Speech and Debate
Semester elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Learn how to better
overcome the fear of
speaking in public
• Learn effective delivery
techniques to captivate
your audience
• Learn how to craft well
written, well supported,
persuasive speeches
• Go head to head
debating a controversial
issue against classmates.

19. Living Skills 1
Semester elective: 7th and 8th graders
• Learn important life skills
such as cooking,
nutrition, and personal
growth.
• Work in cooperative
groups in cooking labs.
• Hands-on experience
preparing a variety of
foods using advanced
tools and methods of the
kitchen.

20. Living Skills 2
Semester elective: 7th and 8th graders
• Must have had Living
Skills 1 for a semester
• Focus on more advanced
cooking and nutrition labs
• Gain a broader
understanding of key
ingredients- including
herbs & spices, dairy
products, leaveners
(bread dough!), poultry
and meat products.

21. Foods B: Baking
Semester elective: 7th and 8th graders
• Designed for all Are you the next
beginning bakers, Cake Boss or Ace of Cakes?
students will learn all
aspects of bakery from
sweet desserts to yeast
bread dough. They will
practice cake decorating
skills and dessert
presentation and get to
eat what they bake!

22. Environmental/Marine Studies
Semester elective: 7th and 8th grade
“Outdoor Classroom”:
• YOU can make a
difference in your
environment
• Digital labs, field trips,
produce commercials,
speakers, puzzles,
and games add
variety to this class

23. Environmental/Marine Studies
Garden, recycle, investigate, plant, and discover!
Be a leader!

24. World Languages
• French or Spanish
• 2-year program:
1A in 7th grade
1B in 8th grade
• Successful completion
of French 1A and B or
Spanish 1A and B
counts as 1 year of
UC/CSU-eligible high
school world language
and allows you to start
French or Spanish 2 in
9th grade

25. World Languages:
Am I eligible to sign up?
• Current 6th graders
must have a B- or
better in core to take
French or Spanish 1A
and have Core 6
teacher sign off
• Current 7th graders
must have a B- or
better in French or
Spanish 1A to
continue to 1B

26. French 1A and 1B
• Bonjour!
• Learn how to speak
French through
games, skits, songs,
and movies
• Speak, read, and
write in French by
working with partners
and in small groups

27. Spanish 1A and 1B
• Bienvenidos!
• Experience the
culture of Spanish
speaking countries
• Learn to speak, read,
and write in Spanish,
working in groups
• Use games, videos,
and fun projects

28. Fun in French and Spanish!

29. Symphonic Band
Yearlong elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Open to students with
previous band
experience
• Emphasis on
technique and
performance
• Students participate
in local and regional
music festivals

30. String Orchestra
Yearlong elective for all grade levels
• Open to all students
who play violin, viola,
cello, or string bass
• Beginners are
welcome
• Emphasis is on
classical music
• Performances in local
and regional festivals

31. Jazz Band
Yearlong elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Audition required
• Must have prior
experience with
saxophone, trumpet,
trombone, guitar,
piano, bass, or drums
• Learn about different
jazz styles and
improvisation
• Performances
required

32. Application Classes
~Leadership ~ Video Production ~ Yearbook ~
• Requires an application which is now online on
the homepage under “Quick Links” or under the
“News” section on schoolloop.
• An interview is required as part of the application
process.
• You may apply to all three, but if accepted, will
have to choose only one
• Applications for all 3 classes are due on Friday,
April 12th at 3pm.

33. Leadership
Semester Elective for 7th and 8th graders
• Application & Interview
Required
• 3.0 minimum GPA with no D’s
or F’s
• Leadership students organize
dances, spirit days,
fundraisers, and other
activities.
• 7th Grade Students interested
in running for Student Body
Secretary, Treasurer, Vice
President, or President MUST
apply to Leadership!!!

34. Leadership students need to:
• Be responsible &
trustworthy.
• Be able to work well with
others.
• Be a good role model &
leader.
• Take INITIATIVE!!!!
• Be able to speak in front
of an audience!
• Show their school spirit!
• Strive to make Iron Horse
a better place!

35. Leadership Applications
• Are now online!!!
• Visit this link:
Online Leadership Application
• Complete the application
• Make sure your parent/guardian sends an email to Mrs.
Sos giving you permission to apply!
• All Applications MUST be submitted by Friday April 12th.

36. Video Production:
Semester elective: 7th and 8th graders
• Application class - if you
have taken VP before you
still need to fill out an
application
• Be part of the “Mornings
at IHMS” show!
• Learn camera operation
• Different jobs for each
show: director, producer,
talent…
• Use video effects (like
green screen) and
graphics while editing
video

37. Video Production:
What makes a good Video Production student?
• Able to work in a fast-
paced environment
• Able to work
responsibly and
independently
• A team player
• A school leader
• Need both creative
and technical people
• Strongly motivated to
make a quality show

38. Video Productions
Applications
• Are now online!!!
• Visit this link:
Online Video Production Application
• Complete the application
• Make sure your parent/guardian sends an email to Mrs.
Cicatelli giving you permission to apply!
• All Applications MUST be submitted by Friday April 12th
at 3pm.

39. Learn Important Life Skills including:
Communication
Teamwork
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving

40. Yearbook/Publications
Learn Journalism Skills:
 Photography
 Digital Photo Editing
 Online Layout Design
 Graphic Design
 Reporting & Editing
 Writing Captions

41. Yearbook/Publications
Application
• Are now online!!!
• Visit this link:
Online Yearbook Application
• Complete the application
• Make sure your parent/guardian sends an email to
Mrs. Martin giving you permission to apply!
• All Applications MUST be submitted by Friday, April 12th
by 3 PM.

42. Teacher Aide Positions
Semester elective
8th Grade Only:
• Teacher aide requires
teacher signature
• Office Aide requires
online application
7th & 8th Grade:
• Library / Media Aide
requires Mrs. Gantt’s
signature
• Peer Support T/A
requires online
application

43. Support Classes
Teacher or counselor recommendation required
• Study Skills
• Math Support Advisory
• English Language
Development (ELD)

44. Here is what you need to know:
• Course catalog is online at www.ih.schoolloop.com
• Course selection sheets will be distributed in your
core class today
• Course selection sheets are due back to your core
teacher no later than Friday, April 12th by 3PM.

45. …some final advice to help you:
• Follow the directions when
completing your course
selection sheet…get your
parents’ help, too!
• Applications for Leadership,
Video Production, Yearbook,
and Office Aide are available
under the “school news”
section on schoolloop.
• Counselors and teachers are
available for questions…ask
us anything!

46. You may now go to your class!