Academics

Middle School Electives

GRACE Christian School 7th and 8th Grade Electives 2012- 2013 School Year

Computer Help Desk (TWO DAY or FOUR DAY):  This elective will include: Customer Service Skills (learning), Basic Data Entry (tech info), Basic Technology Training (hardware replacement, software installation), and Troubleshooting (hardware and software).  

Chapel Elective (TWO DAYS):  A new elective offered to increase student involvement in middle school chapel services. Students should take this elective if interested in spiritual leadership, including planning chapels, serving on the worship team, audio/visual support, and multi-media. Students will participate practically and learn what it takes to coordinate and direct chapel services.

MS Theatre (TWO DAYS):  Introduction to the various aspects of theater including stage positioning, projection and improvisation, blocking, acting, set design, costuming, stage make-up, and different movie genres.

MS Art 1 (TWO DAYS):  This class is designed for any students interested in taking art. Previous art experience is not required. Students in Art I will be introduced to the elements and principles of design using a wide variety of media and techniques. Students will work with pencil, charcoal, pastels, paint, clay, etc. Students in this class will be required to turn in quarterly sketchbook assignments.

MS Art 2 (TWO DAYS): This class is designed for students who have previously taken MS Art I. In this class, students will further study the principles and elements of design using a wide variety of media and techniques. Art vocabulary will be broadened and clarified. Students will be required to turn in quarterly sketchbook assignments.

Beginning Irish Dance (TWO DAYS): Open to all GRACE students. The student will learn the basic techniques of Irish dancing with movements to be used in steps. Once these movements are mastered, students will learn Irish reels, light jigs, and slip jigs. By the end of the year, students who are ready will begin to learn Irish Hard shoe rhythms to prep them for more advanced dancing. The student will also learn how to count music and recognize the different rhythms in the different Irish songs. Students who excel in the beginner Irish Dance elective will be selected to be on the performance team the following year (See performance elective for Irish Dance).
Irish Dance Performance Elective (TWO DAYS): Open to Irish Dancers who have had at least one year of Irish dance and are ready to be on the GRACE Irish Dance Troupe. This elective is devoted improving the dancer's stamina and technique and learning the choreography for all the performances during the year. Not only does the GRACE Troupe perform at school functions, but also at parades, nursing homes, malls and other festivals. This is such a fun elective and the dancers truly work hard so they can put on a good show!

Band (TWO OR FOUR DAYS): Two day option for students who have a keen interest in another elective as well OR four day option for students who want to focus time and talent in this area alone. This course is for any student between their second and fourth years of band instruction. Sheet music is played in grade levels 3 to 3.5. Further study is conducted in music theory, scales, and more challenging rhythms. A variety of key and time signatures are played and students begin to travel outside the school to play for the community.

Vocal Ensemble (TWO OR FOUR DAYS):  Two day option for students who have a keen interest in another elective as well OR four day option for students who want to focus time and talent in this area alone. This class focuses on developing the young singing voice through a variety of choral music and builds on concepts, skills and knowledge learned in earlier levels. The ability to match pitch and sing parts with others is required. Development in vocal techniques, music reading skills, and a positive attitude toward music are emphasized using a variety of choral literature representing various styles and historical periods. Students will participate in several performances are presented both off and on campus throughout the school year.

Cross Training (TWO OR FOUR DAYS): Focus on building good physical fitness work habits through weight training and exercise. Activities include: agility training, cardiovascular fitness, and weight training.

Creative Writing (TWO DAYS):  Creative writing includes any writing, fiction or non-fiction that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works that fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems. Writing for the screen and stage, screenwriting and playwriting also fit in this category. This class is for students who love to write poems, short stories, and may even dream of writing a book someday! This class is geared to develop creative writing skills and inspire confidence and excellence in personal achievement. Students will participate in the ACSI Creative Writing Festival and other available contests.

Study Hall (TWO DAYS):  Preference will be given to student athletes and students that need the extra time to accomplish homework.

Library Aid (TWO DAYS): Reading news articles, shelving books, filing and organizing, and serving as courier for items on-site are all skills taught in a library.

Engineering Strategy Games (TWO DAYS): Traditional American board games such as Monopoly and CandyLand involve few choices for the players, but instead rely almost exclusively on the chance of rolling a die or drawing a card. Modern board games present players with multiple choices which give the players the ability to ask, “What can I do on each turn to get closer to victory?”, thereby forming a strategy. Students will learn how theme, aesthetics and mechanics are integrated in the design of modern strategy board games as we explore and play about a dozen modern strategy games. Students will use this knowledge to design a board game. Please note that computer games/online games are NOT part of this class.