Pride of the Pride
Elective Description Guide
Fine Arts Electives:
Art (6th Grade):
Grade 6
In this class students will create art works based on the many cultural influences they study in their
World Cultures class. They will build a portfolio, draw from observation as well as their imagination.
Students will be able to identify and use the elements of art and principles of design. Students will
be able to experiment with all art media such as drawing, painting, design, sculpture, fibers, and
ceramics. This class counts as a middle school fine arts credit. $20 supply fee plus other fees may
apply throughout the year for optional participation.
Art (7th/8th Grade):
Grades 7-8
In this class students will create art works based on art history. Students will study past artists’
styles and how they have influenced art making throughout time. They will build a portfolio, draw
from observation, their imagination and participate in critiques. Students will be able to identify and
use the elements of art and principles of design. Students will be able to experiment with all art
media such as drawing, painting, design, sculpture, fibers, and ceramics. This class counts as a
middle school fine arts credit. $20 supply fee plus other fees may apply throughout the year for
optional participation.
Orchestra:
Grades 6-8
This full year course is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn to play instrumental
music in a group setting and lead students to acquire the skills needed for satisfactory performance.
Students must rent or own instrument and are required to attend scheduled rehearsals plus events.
Orchestra will perform at different events in the DFW area. $40 course fee plus monthly instrument
rental fee and a one-time supply fee.
Band:
Grades 6-8
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Wind Ensemble, Symphonic, and Concert Bands consist of 7 and 8 grade students. 6th grade
students are scheduled into beginning band by instrument. Instrument and band selection are
determined by the band directors only. All grade levels sign up for one band and we will move you
into the appropriate band/instrument. Students will learn to sight read music, play an instrument
and perform. Band takes many trips together and plays for all sorts of events around the DFW area.
GMS Band is award-winning and takes the P in Pride to a whole new level. $48 course fee plus
monthly instrument rental fee and other fees may apply throughout the year for optional
participation.
Choir:
Grades 6-8
In choir you will SING…. You will learn to use your voice in many different styles and sight read music.
The choir goes on trips representing Griffin in various places and has fun together. They compete as
a group and individually. Griffin choirs have won many awards in the past and look forward to many
more. GMS Choir has a tradition of excellence. Choir selection is determined by the choir director.
$35 course fee plus other fees may apply throughout the year (optional field trips, individual
competitions, etc).
Theatre Arts I:
Grades 6-8
This course will provide an avenue for artistic expression through drama/acting, rehearsals and
performances. It includes a brief history of the theater, improvisation, pantomime, voice and diction,
and a study of beginning acting techniques. Aspects of technical theater, lighting design,
costume design, make-up design and sound design will be explored through hands on portions of the
class. $35 course fee plus other fees may apply throughout the year (optional field trips and extracurricular activities).
Theatre Arts II:
Grades 7-8
This course builds on the background established in Theatre Arts I, continuing the study of the
cultural contributions of the theater, its structure, variety and evaluation. Greater emphasis is given
to the history of theater. Many historical plays and styles will be studied, researched and
performed. Techniques for stage-makeup, as well as production and rehearsal principles are studied
in preparation for a major performance by the class. $35 course fee plus other fees may apply
throughout the year (optional field trips and extra-curricular activities).
Advanced Theatre Arts (Production Class):
Grades 7-8
This full year course provides an avenue for artistic expression through the elements of drama and
conventions of theatre. The advance class will offer an extensive study of theatrical elements that
prepare students for competition performances. Students wanting to explore advance technical
theatre such as production lighting, sound, scenery, and costuming are encouraged to interview as
well. Outside of class rehearsals and performances are an expectation for all theatre arts
classes. This is an Audition/Interview only class. $35 course fee plus other fees may apply
throughout the year (optional field trips and extra-curricular activities).
High School Electives:
Art 1 HS:
Grade 8
Advanced art class that includes a variety of projects and a portfolio. Must have taken and passed
middle school art in 6th or 7th grade. Counts as 1 high school fine arts credit. Does not count as
middle school fine arts credit. The elements and the principles of design are emphasized through a
variety of projects and problems in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, drawing,
painting, and printmaking. The course includes a survey of historical and cultural developments in
art. Students develop skills in observing, problem-solving, manipulating art media, and evaluating
art works. Preparation of a portfolio is required. One full credit must be earned in Art I for entry into
a Level II art course. $20 supply fee plus other fees may apply throughout the year for optional
participation.
Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness/Principles of Human Services:
Grade 8
Counts for 1 high school elective credit. Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness = We have many foods labs
where we prepare food and then eat it! Different recipes each year. We cover nutrition, portion
amounts, nutrition facts labels, and food and kitchen safety on a deeper level than in 6th/7th grade.
Principles of Human Services = We cover the management process in action, child development
(yes we have babies!), crisis and mental health issues, cosmetology and the law, and we finish the
semester with the basics of sewing using machines and hand sewing techniques. $20 course fee.
Spanish 1:
Grades 7-8
Counts for 1 high school foreign language credit (2 in same language required). Spanish I is the
introductory course in the Spanish language. During this course, the students will be taught basic
vocabulary requiring the use of Spanish in the classroom. This course is not geared for students who
already speak Spanish. Those students can test out of the class by talking with the Spanish teacher.
Spanish 2:
Grade 8
Student must have already taken and passed Spanish I. Counts for 1 high school foreign language
credit (2 in same language required). During this course, the students will be taught intermediate
vocabulary requiring the use of Spanish for everyday occasions. This course is not geared for
students who already speak Spanish. Those students can test out of the class by talking with the
Spanish teacher. 6th Grade Dual Language students must take this course as one of their two
electives and will receive Pre-AP high school foreign language credit.
Spanish PAP 2,3,4:
Grades 6-8
Previous dual language students will be granted a high school Spanish 1 credit from elementary
school if they continue in the program in 6th grade. Those students who choose to continue will take
Spanish 2 in 6th grade; Spanish 3 in 7th grade and Spanish 4 in 8th grade for additional high school
foreign language credits.
Other Electives:
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination):
Grades 6-8
What is AVID? We are a place where students feel they are part of a family. To achieve that goal we
use collaboration, tutorials, writing prompts, philosophical chairs, Socratic seminars, and team
building. We offer guidance and support in note-taking through a process called Cornell Notes.
Have you ever had a hard time staying organized, lost a paper, or forgot a due date? In AVID, we also
work on organization through the use of a binder system, and a weekly calendar. Our ultimate goal
is to help you get accepted and admitted to college through these tools. We require all students in
AVID to register for one Pre-AP class. Application/Interview is required each year for all grade levels.
Skills for Living (Home Ec/Teen Leadership):
Grades 6-7
In the Fall, we have many foods labs where we prepare food and then eat it! We cover the basics of
nutrition, portion amounts, nutrition facts labels, and food and kitchen safety. In the Spring, we
cover the basics of family, child development and communication skills. We finish the semester
with the basics of sewing using machines and hand sewing techniques. This home ec style course
also incorporates a teen leadership component. Teen leadership is a program in which students
develop leadership, personal, and business skills. Students will learn to develop an understanding
of: a healthy self-concept; healthy relationships; personal responsibility; emotional intelligence and
the skills it measures, which include self-awareness, self-control, self-motivation, and social skills;
skills in public speaking and communication; personal image; principle-based decision-making and
develop their own personal mission statement; effects of peer pressure and will develop skills to
counteract those effects; principles of parenting, enabling them to become better family members
and citizens; and the need for vision in goal-setting, personally and professionally. $20 course fee.
Outdoor Education:
Grade 7-8
This course is designed to explore and develop skills in activities associated with camping, hiking,
archery, outdoor cooking, fishing, survival skills and other outdoor activities. CPR and safety training
provided as well. $35 course fee.
Photography:
Grades 7-8
This course will build on student’s understanding of the technical and artistic aspects of digital
photography. Students will become proficient in the use of their digital cameras as well as studio
equipment and lighting. Students will edit photos using Adobe Photoshop. This course will introduce
the elements of art and principles of design, as well as the history of photography. Students will learn
complete photography using Canon T3i as well as shutter speed, ISO, and aperture to produce
professional photo images. Students will also use the latest photography applications using various
Apple products to design photo projects. $25 course fee.
Technology Education:
Grades 6-8
Up your technology game and become a tech guru. You will become a master with the iMac, Google
docs and Microsoft Office Suite. Learn to create presentations and E-portfolios that will captivate
your classmates by using prezi, movie making programs, and create webpages. Be the leader on
campus by discovering new cutting edge programs and apps and teaching your peers how to use
those new technologies. Finish out the year designing and producing 3D projects. Strongly
recommended to take prior to robotics/gaming.
Robotics/Gaming (Alice):
Grades 6-8
Learn how to create and program 3D stories (Pixar like) in Alice (9 weeks), video games using Game
Maker (9 weeks) and robots using the Lego NXT (18 weeks). Prior knowledge of INTERMEDIATE
computer skills are needed. The course will introduce basic programming language through text,
pictures, animations, digital video, and a highly interactive and self-directed curriculum and instruct
students on how to apply the design or problem solving process in order to create real world
solutions. One semester is Alice and Game Maker and the other semester is Robotics. This course
can only be taken once in middle school. $20 course fee plus students will need to purchase their
own personal set of ear buds.
Computer Elective Advanced (Lego Robotics Team):
Grades 7-8
Advanced robotics/gaming students who apply and are accepted into the Griffin Lego Robotics
Team. This class competes in the Lego First Lego League competition and will require some before
and after school time commitments. $30 course fee plus misc competition fees.
Video Animation:
Grades 7-8
Students will learn to use several different digital media tools to create innovative products.
Students will play the rolls of sound producers, mixers, camera-men and engineers using still & video
cameras, iPods, iPads, microphones, computers and software to create soundtracks for custom
silent movies, movie trailers and animations. Students will learn how to take familiar sounds and
songs and turn them into products completely new using Audacity/Garage Band. They will learn to
edit and create images using Adobe Photoshop to incorporate videos, images, and sounds to create
short movie trailers and documentaries using various video applications. Students will also use
Adobe Photoshop to create a logo, package, and poster to market a product. Student will produce
video using Adobe Premier as well as Imovie using Ipads. Students will learn various video and
photo techniques including Chromo-key. This class also introduces animation in 2D and 3D
creations. Students learn how cartoons are created and use Animasionish to create and draw their
own digital flipbook that will then be turned into a movie. Optional fees will apply to participate in
certain projects.
Yearbook:
Grades 7-8
Develop Griffin’s annual yearbook through interviews, writing articles, taking pictures and editing on
the computer. Application and approval required.
Student Aide:
Grades 7-8
Office and library aides hold many responsibilities in the school. Students must be role models and
leaders amongst their peers with highly developed communication skills as well as good grades and
no discipline issues. Application and approval required.
MTA/Language Science:
Grades 6-8
Dyslexia reading course for qualified students only. Course will be scheduled by the counselor and
replaces one elective choice.
Social Skills:
Grades 6-8
ARD determines who qualifies for this class. Course will be scheduled by the counselor and replaces
one elective choice.