Electives

Elective Name

Grade Level

Description

Advanced Art Elective

7/8

This is an advanced class for highly motivated 7-8th grade  students.  Each student will have to apply for a spot in the class. The Art Teacher will hand pick each participant.  Students will engage in long term assignments that will further strengthen their advanced skills and techniques. Our visual arts curriculum includes recognizing art as a form of communication and expression, identifying and using the elements and principles of art and design, and exploring the role of artists in society throughout history, all while having fun in a nurturing and safe environment. Students are encouraged to take risks, think critically, and solve problems visually. Students will master new art vocabulary, art methods and techniques, and will form a deeper connection to the fine arts. Course content is based on state and national visual arts standards.

Adv. Orchestra*

7/8

An audition with the orchestra conductor is required for enrollment in this course. Advanced Orchestra will build left-hand skills such as shifting and vibrato, as well as advanced bow techniques. An in depth study of musical styles will be realized through challenging orchestral literature. Several rehearsals and performances outside of normal school hours are required as part of this course.

ASB Leadership*

8

The Kraemer ASB Leadership Program serves the school as the student council while providing representation and activities for the entire student body. Four to Five ASB Officers are elected into the class and 76 additional students are selected to the class through an application process and through teacher evaluation. The program instructs students on planning techniques, decision-making skills, problem solving, organizational skills, group dynamics, and principles of communication, budgeting and issues of public relations. It focuses on skill building, planning, implementation evaluation and experiential learning for the purpose of growing the individual students in the areas of respect, responsibility, service and initiative. 

An outgrowth of the program is the promotion and enhancement of a positive school climate. Responsibilities include planning lunchtime activities, dances, fundraising, recognition programs, special events and helping with the various programs of the school. Students selected to the program must be willing to give up portions of their time to serve the other students of the school.

AVID*

7/8

AVID is a rigorous program of instruction designed to help average (2.5 - 3.5 GPA) middle and high school students prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. Simply put, AVID teaches students academic “survival skills” because students will receive guidance and practice with organization, focused note taking, college and career research, critical reading and writing skills, and leadership development. AVID students also receive weekly support in their content area classes by participating in weekly collaborative study groups or tutorials led by college tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding. AVID students are expected to be leaders on campus by modeling good behavior and keeping their grades up. They are also expected to take at least one honors class in preparation for high school rigor.

Students are required to complete and submit an application for this class.

Beginning Band

7/8

For students who have had little or no previous experience in instrumental music. Beginning band classes are composed of 7th and 8th graders who were recommended by the elementary band staff to repeat beginning band or for true beginners that have never been enrolled in an instrumental music class. Students will choose one of the five basic instruments for study: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or trombone.

Chinese 1*

8

Prerequisite: Grade "B" or better in Language Arts. Meets at Valencia

Computer Science

7/8

This course is an intermediate Computer Science course which provides opportunities for students to develop computer science skills and empowers them to create artifacts. The students will expand their communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills by designing and creating websites, games, animations, computer apps, and physical computing devices. In addition,the students will explore the impact of computer science on society and learn to use the problem solving process throughout the course.. Specifically, they will explore the user-centered design process, how data is used to address problems, and how physical computing with bare circuit boards are used to collect input and export output in various ways.

Exploratory Wheel Art

7/8

In 7/8th grade Exploratory Wheel Art we will begin to develop student’s understanding of The Elements of Art and The Principles of Design. The class will spend some time developing students skills in drawing, crafting,  painting and sculpting. We will explore various historical  periods in art, cultural art, as well as stylistic movements in art. Students will begin to learn concepts in art such as symbolism, observational drawing, color theory, media manipulation, and self and peer critique.

Exploratory Wheel Video

8

An introductory course focused on learning the basics of filming and editing.

Exploratory Wheel Outdoor Ed

7

Students in this class will participate in a variety of adventurous challenges and learn outdoor activities such as fishing, orienteering, and first aid.

Exploratory Wheel Photography

7

Students learn how to use a camera properly and take creative photos and how to take well composed photographs using their own digital cameras. Emphasis will be placed on basic camera handling skills and compositional guidelines. Students will know how to take creative and unique photos and have fun doing it!

Exploratory Wheel Graphic Design

8

Students are introduced to the industry, what designers do, and what graphic design actually is. Students learn the fundamentals of two-dimensional design, the foundation of art, graphic design, and visual communication

Jazz Band

7/8

The class consists of 18-25 band members that are also members of a Performing Band class. Students must have a minimum of 2 years experience in music classes and/or private instruction. The jazz band consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, drum set and auxiliary percussion. The Jazz band competitions, Jazz concert with VHS, and several school performances.

Jazz Band is by audition only and is a class that meets during zero period.

Music Appreciation

7/8

Music Appreciation is part of the Exploratory Wheel and introduces students to a variety of topics in music with the aim of teaching students how to listen to and understand the music of our culture. Activities may include discussing instrument families, watching musicals, researching careers in music, creating Blues lyrics, playing recorders, and listening to a lot of music every day. 

Office Aide*

8

Office Aide is a year-long elective where students help the Kraemer office staff with special projects, filing, delivering call slips, etc.

Orchestra

7/8

Students in Orchestra work on refining skills such as tone production, music reading, and accuracy of pitch. A variety of musical styles will be studied through the playing of orchestra literature. Several rehearsals and performances outside of normal school hours are required as a part of this course. 

Previous participation in orchestra for at least one year, and/or an audition for the conductor is required.

PEER Leadership

7

The class will develop leadership skills which will be applied while serving peers and the Kraemer community in activities that enhance our positive school climate. Members of the program will share responsibilities that include planning and implementing lunchtime activities, student recognition programs, and special events. Students selected to the program must be willing to give up portions of their time to serve the school community.

Students are required to complete and submit an application for this class.

Performing Band*

7/8

The Performing Band forms the marching band during the first quarter of the school year. The marching band participates in the local parade and a possible performance at Knott’s. During the remainder of the school year, the performing band forms the concert Band. The concert band participates in a Winter Concert, the SCSBOA Concert Festival, the PYLUSD Area Festival, and several additional concert performances for the school and community.

Minimum of 2 years experience and a recommendation for their elementary or beginning band teacher.

Robotics (Bridge)

8

In addition to acquiring mathematical, science, and communication skills, students are introduced to the use of the engineering process to solve technological problems and to the use of selected software and hardware tools. In a hands-on environment students will solve assigned tasks by creating solutions that require mechanical, electrical, and/or software elements. Students must demonstrate that their solutions are adequate through demonstrations and oral and written reports. Oh and they will have fun doing it!! Students must be in Algebra or higher math to take this course.

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a competition in which schools from across the nation compete in different events that are related to different fields of science. Teams compete to rise to increasingly higher levels of competition, which are regional, state, and national, respectively. Students are expected to put in a lot of extra time studying for their events. It is only through lots of hard work that the team can succeed. Additionally, students are also expected to show up to the many competitions throughout the year, which will require students to take time out of their weekend. The program is very rewarding, but you only get out what you put in. As such, this elective will not be for everybody. Only those who are willing to put in the rigorous work should consider applying. 

Overall, Science Olympiad is a great experience that will allow students to greatly broaden the horizons of their scientific knowledge, and we would like to encourage all interested and hardworking students to apply. 

Spanish 1A

7

Spanish 1A is the first year of a 2 year commitment. Students complete the first ½ of Spanish 1 in 7th grade, and the 2nd ½ of Spanish 1 in 8th grade. This class introduces and focuses on high frequency structures used in everyday conversations. Lessons will consist of compelling, comprehensible, and contextualized language in the form of authentic classroom dialogue, story creation, and leveled readings, all driven by  student interest. The focus in the first year is aural and reading comprehension of the Spanish language. Memorization of vocabulary lists or grammar drills are not part of this curriculum, as the goal is natural acquisition of the language. Students will continue on to Spanish 1B if the grade for all four quarters is a C or better.  

Spanish 1B*

8

This is the second year of Spanish 1. Students complete the first ½ of Spanish 1 in 7th grade, and the 2nd ½ of Spanish 1 in 8th grade. This class continues providing comprehensible input of the Spanish language via compelling and contextualized topics. Class will be conducted in 98% Spanish, while the teacher will simultaneously make language comprehensible to students. Students will also start a reading program that will boost their fluency, grammatical accuracy, and confidence. The main focus will still be aural and reading comprehension of the Spanish language. However, students will be encouraged and will be given opportunities for output, such as speaking and writing.  

Prerequisite: Grade "C" or better in Spanish 1A

Video Productions

7/8

This class will provide a unique opportunity to learn to create high-quality videos using state-of-the-art digital editing products. Students will learn digital filming, audio editing, non-linear digital video editing using iMovie, green-screen, title and credit creation, and more.

Vocal Ensemble*

7/8

Vocal Ensemble (Advanced Choir) are for experienced singers who are committed to learning challenging music for various performance settings. There are about 8-10 performances each year. A formal uniform and audition are required. Class will be held at Valencia High School.

Yearbook

7/8

This is the class where students create the Kraemer yearbook. Students will learn about photography, graphic design, marketing, and more! Students interested in this class must submit an application in the Spring for the following school year. This class is a year-long class.