Seabury Hall Middle School

---

SEVENTH-EIGHTH GRADE ELECTIVES PROGRAM

  The 7^th-8^th grade electives program is designed to: (l) continue the skills foundation of the sixth grade in the areas of the fine and performing arts, (2) allow students to expand beyond the required curriculum to pursue personal interests, and (3) provide an opportunity to try a new area of learning without concern for grades and tests since the electives courses are graded on an e=excellent, s=satisfactory, and u=unsatisfactory basis.

Electives are offered on a quarterly basis. 

Music Electives:

All seventh and eighth grade students are required to choose either band or chorus as a year-long commitment that meets two-three times/week and alternates with other elective offerings.

(1) Band 

7th Grade Band (Beginning Band)
This course is designed to teach 7th grade students how to play a band instrument, such as woodwinds, brass and percussion. Strong emphasis is placed upon general music skills and ensemble playing.  Note-reading is a very important component of this class.  The students will be able to identify and define standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation and expression at the end of the year.  It is hoped that the course will develop a life long interest in music.  There are two public concerts scheduled per year.  Year long course alternating with other exploratories.  Band or chorus required for 7th graders.

8th Grade Band (Intermediate Band)
This course is an intermediate level ensemble open to students who have successfully completed the Beginning Band class or have auditioned for the instructor.  It continues to teach the fundamentals of music, such as standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo and expression.  The students are expected to perform, with technical accuracy and expression, a varied repertoire of music with good posture and breath control.  There are two public concerts scheduled per year which contribute to the students' performance grade.  In the second semester band students have a choice of continuing band or switching to art or chorus. Semester or year long course alternating with other exploratories.  Band or chorus required for 8th graders unless art is chosen.

(2)   Chorus 

(3)   Ukulele – This course is well suited for students wishing to learn basic musical concepts while playing a cultural and recreational instrument, the ukulele.  Students learn strumming techniques, chord structure, and progression, rhythmic patterns, tablature, various styles of picking, some note reading, scales and key signatures, songs in both Hawaiian and English, the history of the ukulele, and basic instrument care.  Assistance in finding suitable instruments for those who do not own an ukulele can be provided.

(4)   Hula – This elective is designed to offer students (both beginning and intermediate) an opportunity to improve their understanding of Hawaiian hula. Both kahiko (traditional) and auwana (modern) will be offered.  Students will learn to use dance instruments such as the uli uli as well.  Both girls and boys with a serious interest in hula are invited to sign up.

Art Electives:

(1)   Seventh Grade Ceramics – This course is an introduction to working with clay, and is intended to build basic skills as well as develop an awareness of form, surface, and color.  Students will be required to design their own projects within the guidelines of the assignments, developing technique while finding their own personal style.  Students will focus on handbuilding, as they learn to work with the techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab-building.  Tooling, finishing, glazing, and firing will follow.  Historical and cultural perspectives are introduced and serve as inspiration for student work.

(2)   Eighth Grade Basic Drawing –Basic drawing includes poster and bulletin board presentation with graphic design, methods and materials in different drawing mediums, simple perspective, value with light to make line drawings look real, still life, people, color, outdoor nature drawing and how to use a sketchbook journal.  This semester course is a prerequisite for all upper school art classes. Grading, unlike the other one quarter middle school electives, is A-F.

Mathematics:

(1)    Cross-Stitching – students will design their own pattern using a computerized grid sheet.  This might be a great opportunity to learn a skill that will also result in the construction of special gifts.    

(2) Dollars and Sense– students will be provided with a closer look at the exciting world of business.  They will learn how America’s private enterprise system works, understand the role of enterpreneurs, learn about personal economic planning, and understand the U.S. role in the world economy. Students will follow the stock market using a computer simulation buying and selling shares of stock with an imaginary bank account. Regular visits by local business consultants will supplement class instruction.

Science and Technology:

(l) Biology Outside! – This hands-on elective will engage students in exploring the Seabury Hall school grounds’ ecosystem by getting them to examine soil samples and organisms, looking at the establishment of natural areas on campus, creating gardens, examining opportunistic species and developing microenvironments.  In short, if the students do not mind getting their hands a little dirty, they should sign up! 

(2) Web Site Design – This is an introductory class to show students how a Web site is created and give them hands-on experience in designing a Web site of their own.  Topics include evaluating effective and ineffective Web sites, planning a Web site, learning some HTML language and authoring tools, working with graphics and images, and effective use of hyperlinks.

(3) Understanding Programming – This computer elective is being offered to students as an introduction to computer programming by means of hands-on exercises.  Students are taught about what goes on “under the hood” of an application program.

Foreign Languages:

(1)   Japanese Language and Culture – Students are introduced to the rich customs and traditions of Japanese culture.  During the quarter, they will learn how to greet each other in Japanese, learn about Japanese student life, make origami creations and explore Japanese children’s literature and folk tales.

Student Publications:

(1) First Edition –This elective offers a creative approach to journalism, giving students the opportunity to design and publish a middle school newspaper uniquely their own.  Students examine the many ways a newspaper “informs”: news articles, editorials, polls and debates, interviews, cartoons, feature articles on health, cooking, fashion, book and movie reviews, even poetry and serialized stories.  Students will then plan and produce their own newspaper—one they would really like to read!  Time and interest permitting, the elective may choose to participate in one of the publishing focused opportunities available via the internet.  First Edition requires creative, disciplined students with a serious interest in expanding their writing/cartooning experience.

Outdoor Education:

(1) Horizon Expeditions – Based upon the three-cornered foundation of adventure, craftsmanship, and service, horizon expeditions is a program that endeavors to challenge the participants to grow in their understanding of both themselves and others.  Generally conducted outside, the course involved building a sense of teamwork, and cooperation within the group as well as looking at both the strength and limitations of each individual.  A host of activities will fill the time and range from silly games and problem-solving to the development of skills associated with outdoor experiences.  These skills range from setting up tents to caring for and handling equipment used in rock climbing and ropes courses in a responsible fashion.  As the appropriate skills are learned and practices, the class will have the opportunity to work up to and then perform a 50’ free rappel out of one of the trees located on the ropes course.  Near the end of the quarter, the whole group will head into Haleakala Crater for an overnight campout at Holua campground where students will explore new areas and assist the National Park in its mission to protect native species from those that have been introduced.

Middle School Home | Middle School Curriculum | Seabury Hall Home