Elective Classes

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, problem solving strategies, and individual expression. Art students will study the work of several artists including Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh. Students will explore various styles of art and will study different periods of art through the creation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork.

Students will also learn to properly critique their artwork through both verbal and written critiques. Students will have the opportunity to participate in many art experiences, contests, and exhibits.

The course provides students with band instrument instruction and performance experiences. Students can participate in band at any level from beginning to advanced. Band students will explore a variety of musical styles including classical, rock, modern, and jazz.

This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

The choral music program is designed to provide students with an exceptional experience in music. It focuses on respecting the musical, creative, and expressive abilities of all students. Musical opportunities are provided for every child to learn the basic skills of singing, reading music, developing song repertoire, broadening listening skills, and experiencing the interrelated nature of music within other cultures and content areas.

This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

Dance class will enable students to develop knowledge and dance skills through technique, choreography, and performance. The content will include fundamental technical skills in a variety of dance forms and styles. Classes are available for beginning, intermediate, and advanced level students. Screenings are required for intermediate and advanced dance classes.

This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

Please contact Mrs.Morales for details.

In this course, students will learn the basics of drama and theater and the technique of building a character. They will also practice effective speaking skills using articulation, projection, and breathing methods. The importance of technical theater and the use of elements such as costumes, props, and scenery will be explored.

This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

In journalism class, students learn to write and design several types of written and digital materials including newspapers and magazines. Students are taught to think like a journalist and to write for many purposes. Throughout the year, the class produces a print newspaper, an online newspaper, and a student magazine. Students learn to write, to edit, to think, and to function as part of a team. This is a fast-paced class for self-motivated students who enjoy writing.

Students taking this course receive middle school credit for the first year. Students who take the course for a second year can earn high school credit.

This course allows students to explore a variety of music genres from Classical to Pop and from Rock to Rap. Students will also learn about a variety of instruments and about the elements of music. Students will learn about musicians and composers, both past and present. 
This is a year-long course for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Sixth graders can also take this as a semester-long course.

Musical Theatre class focuses on applying and coordinating the disciplines of singing, acting, and dancing to create an effective performance. Students in Musical Theatre develop their skills by selecting a Broadway musical, interpreting it both musically and dramatically, exploring diverse rehearsal tools and techniques, and creating staging and choreography for a performance at the end of the year.

This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

This course offers students the opportunity to gain general knowledge and awareness of disabilities and to be trained to work as a “peer partner” for students with disabilities. This course provides academic and social benefits to students with disabilities and to their peers without disabilities.

Students enrolled in this course will learn and apply knowledge and skilled practices in the areas of academic engagement, communication, social skills, leadership, and problem solving. Students will also be introduced to disability-related topics including historical perspectives, inclusion, Universal Design for Learning, person-first language, presumed competence, social justice for minority populations, and media representation of diverse people.

This course is only available for eighth graders. To qualify for this course, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have only 3’s and 4's in conduct. This is a high school credit course.

To be considered as a Peer Partner, please submit your application in a Google Document to Mrs. Baldwin.

Your application must include your name, student number, and detailed answers to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in taking this course?
• Why do you think you are a qualified applicant for this course? What are your strengths?
• In which subjects do you excel? In what extracurricular activities do you participate (clubs, sports, etc.)?

We expect this to be a UNIQUE and AMAZING experience!
***Space is limited.***

6th grade
In this personal fitness class, students learn to identify the components of fitness and the types of activities that are beneficial to the individual components. Line dancing, small group games, kickball, pillo polo, Kan Jam, bound ball, and pickleball are some of the activities incorporated into this course to help students learn about the components of fitness.

7th grade
In this team sports class, students develop skills and strategies leading up to playing small group games. Examples of sports that could be included in this course are flag football, volleyball, floorball, basketball, handball, and ultimate disc. A fitness unit is also incorporated into this course. The goal of the fitness unit is for students to have a working knowledge of fitness so that they can identify ways they can live a healthy, active lifestyle.

8th grade
In this individual and dual sports class, students work on skills and strategies of sports in 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 situations. A wide variety of sports is utilized for this concept. Some examples include basketball, pickleball, racketball, bound ball, roundnet, crossnet, and tennis.

The course provides students with instruction in playing the piano.
The class includes performance experiences. Students can participate in piano at any level from beginning to advanced. Piano students will explore a variety of musical styles including classical, rock, modern, and jazz. 
This is a performance-based class and students will be required to purchase uniforms, take part in fundraising activities, and participate in after school practices and evening performances.

The Pre-Information Technology Academy offers an innovative learning environment focused on computers, technology, and communications over the course of three years. These classes are offered to all students at Wellington Landings.

6th grade
Computer Applications is a semester-long course designed to help students develop speed and accuracy by learning the touch operation of alphanumeric keyboard characters. Students will also gain a basic understanding of word processing using the Microsoft Word software program. Additionally, students will learn the basics of web development.

7th grade
Fundamentals of Web and Software Development is a full-year course with an emphasis on web development and design. Students in this class will have the opportunity to earn the CIW Site Development Associate Certification.

8th grade
Emerging Technologies in Business is a year-long course which teaches foundational knowledge of web technology that is used throughout the business world. This is a high school credit course. Students will have the opportunity to earn the CIW Internet Business Associate Certification. This course also fulfills the online requirement for high school graduation.

These courses are designed to inspire you, encourage you, and ignite your mind and soul so that you master the beauty of speaking Spanish. These are high school level courses. Students earn high school credit and grades are factored into their high school GPA’s.

These courses are for non-native speakers. Qualified students will have A’s and B’s only and an above-average score on the Reading FSA.

The teaching approach, Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) developed by Blaine Ray, is driven by teamwork and the three pillars for TPRS: the language must be comprehensible, repetitive, and compelling.

We will be using the five basic TPRS skills:

1. Circling: a strategy for repetition or frequency
2. Point and Pause: a strategy for processing
3. Staying in Bounds: limiting vocabulary
4. Choral Responses: a strategy for interaction, engagement, and comprehension
5. Slow speech: a strategy for comprehension

So, what does all of this mean? If you want to learn Spanish, just do the following:

• Listen while the teacher speaks Spanish and takes you through the journey of STORYTELLING! You will be part of MovieTalks, ArtTalks, PictureTalks, PropTalks, MusicTalks, EventTalks. CultureTalks, StudentTalks, and ActorTalks. You will sing, dance, and act!
• Demonstrate that you understand with nods, expressions, and short responses in Spanish.
• Read short selections based on the vocabulary used during our chats. Repeat the vocabulary words hundreds of times!
• Write about what you practice in class so that you can demonstrate that you comprehend what is being discussed.
• Communicate with your friends and your teacher (i.e. volleyball translation).
• WE ONLY SPEAK SPANISH!

Students will be instructed in the fundamentals of competitive argumentation, debate, and persuasion as well as practical research. This course prepares the students to compete in debate events at the middle and high school levels. This is a skills-based course and students are required to participate in at least one tournament per nine weeks. Students can observe or compete to earn their participation credit.

Students taking this course will earn middle school credit for the first year. Students can earn high school credit by enrolling in the class for a second successive year.

Student Government is a full year course which gives students a VOICE at school. Students plan spirit days and make sure new students feel welcome at our school. SGA also suggests, plans, and organizes fundraisers for school and community projects. Students run for office to experience the political process. Students meet with the WLMS administration to suggest changes and to introduce new ideas for the benefit of the whole school.

Students taking this course earn middle school credit for the first year. If students take the course for a second year, they can receive high school credit.

TV Production is a full-year course that encompasses script writing, filmmaking, footage editing, and news reporting using multimedia technology. Students create and film news segments and features that will be of interest to all WLMS students.

Students taking this course earn middle school credit for the first year. If students take the course for a second year, they can receive high school credit.

Students will learn the following:

• Scriptwriting and storyboarding
• Filming and camera work
• Editing with iMovie and Movie Studio
• Interviewing skills
• Profession terminology
• Audio mixing and recording
• Video production process
• Deadlines and collaborative group work
• Critiquing and constructive feedback

In this full year course, yearbook students use Walsworth software to create spreads, layouts, and pages for our school's yearbook. Students also take pictures for collage pages in the yearbook and develop photography skills. Students will develop the theme that the yearbook follows. Students must be self disciplined and able to manage deadlines.