ART Electives

ART and Design One  Trimester     7^th & 8^th Grade

Students will have fun creating different pieces of artwork while being exposed to a variety of media. Students will improve on their drawing skills, channel their creativity, mixed media, and build confidence in their own uniqueness. 

Ceramics and Pottery   One Trimester  7^th & 8^th Grade

Get your hands dirty and be creative at the same time! Learn how to take clay and create fantastic sculptures, plates, bowls, and beautiful pottery. Have fun learning how to use a kiln and potter’s wheel and take home wonderful works of art. Hand building and electric potter’s wheels will be used throughout the semester. Happy sculpting!

Digital Photography One  Trimester   7^th & 8^th Grade

Learn the basics of digital photography including lighting, speed and distance.  Work in Adobe Photoshop to take your works to the next level.  An advanced knowledge with computers is a requirement for this course.

Popshop Art  One  Trimester     7^th & 8^th Grade

Students will use a variety of media from colorful paint to printmaking skills, creating murals, personal journals, and paintings through symbolism. Teacher and students will discuss using graffiti and pop art in a positive and legal way through the use of symbolism as a form of expression.

Printmaking   One  Trimester       7^th & 8^th Grade

This class will investigate a wide range of printmaking techniques which could include: calligraphy, glue prints, silk-screen, relief printmaking, and other processes. Students will produce a portfolio of prints through exploring a variety of basic processes. During the second part of the course, students use the prints to integrate printmaking with other media into their own projects.

COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY Electives

Computer Applications     One Trimester      7^th & 8^th Grade

The computer is an important tool that can make life a lot easier if you know how to use it effectively. In this class, students will learn “touch” keyboarding techniques. Students will learning some of the more advanced features of Word and PowerPoint and Internet research techniques.  Students will complete various projects using a computer, scanner, digital camera and graphics software. They will also get a brief introduction to programming, web page design, and video production. At the completion of this course, students will be comfortable using the computer and be ready to take more advanced computer classes.

Graphics and Animation   One Trimester   7^th & 8^th Grade

Are you interested in cartoon animation or drawing? This class will explore character design and computer animation and learning to use drawing and paint programs.  Students will design characters in Photoshop Elements, Paint, Fireworks and Flash and learn how to break them down into moveable parts for easy animation. They will also learn to take digital photos, and edit them by adding special effects. You will create greeting cards, logos, cartoon characters, and clip art. 

Web Page Design One Trimester 7^th & 8^th Grade

Have you always wanted to make a web page? In this class, students will learn how to create web pages using basic HTML code and Dreamweaver. Students will create and alter their own graphic files using digital cameras, scanners and drawing programs. They will learn to use Adobe Fireworks and Flash to create page banners, animated graphics, and interactive buttons. They will also learn how to edit the teacher web pages on the CMS website using the SchoolCity editing software and a template.This is a more advanced class for students who are very comfortable using a computer.

Video Production One Trimester 7^th & 8^th Grade

Have you ever wanted to make a movie or commercial? In this class, students will learn how to take professional video using a digital camcorder and how to edit video using a computer. You will be introduced to filming techniques, and make several individual and group projects of your choice. Students will also learn to create stop motion videos using clay figures, Legos, and action figures. This class will be challenging and action packed!

Yearbook 1^st and 2^nd Trimesters 7^th & 8^th Grade

In this class students plan and produce the school yearbook. You will learn how to use the online web-based yearbook software. You will learn to use digital cameras and a scanner. You must be able to manage your time effectively, meet deadlines, and work with partners to create attractive and eye-catching pages. Yearbook is a lot of fun.

Beginning Robotics I       One Trimester       7^th & 8^th Grade

You will be building several robots from kits, a walking tyrannosaurus, a mechanical beetle, a mechanical turtle, a mechanical ostrich, a mechanical kangaroo, and more, while you learn about electricity and mechanics. You will learn what robotics is and how robots are used in our society.

Intermediate/Advanced Robotics II   One  Trimester Each   7^th & 8^th Grade

Intermediate Robotics is open to students who have taken the beginner level. You will be designing your own robot and building it from scratch (with wheels, pinions and gears, electric motors, batteries, solar panels, and more) and optimizing it. You will get to race and compete with other teams in your class. You can build your first solar-powered car or a water-powered car.   In Advanced Robotics you will continue working on your project, learning more about programming robots, adding new functions to your robot, or starting a new project.

Technology and Engineering   One Trimester     7^th & 8^th Grade

Technology 21^st Century is a hands-on, project-based class in which students learn through discovery basic principles of technology. The goal of the course is to help students to understand the physical world that surround them and how to protect it. Thematic learning centers will allow students to explore the following fields: Modules listed below need to be completed In order.

Ø   Electricity (beginners’ course): discover how electricity works.

Ø   Electronic circuits (beginners, intermediate and advanced courses) Must have completed Electricity module

Ø   Motors and engines (beginners and intermediate courses): how does a car engine work?.

Ø   3-D Design:  Must have completed Basic Computers.

Ø   Computer technology: Must have completed Basic Computers class, electricity and electronics in this course.  

Ø   Learn how technology is built around computers. Introduction to computer programming. Advanced course. Required courses applies.

Ø   Optics beginner, intermediate and advanced

Ø   Green Energies: Solar Energy, wind energy and more. Must have completed Electricity Module.

DRAMA Elective

Advanced Drama   Year Long   7^th & 8^th Grade

Calling all aspiring actors and actresses! Come learn the art of being onstage. This class will introduce the drama student to improvisation, theatre games, lip syncing and storytelling. If you like performing, then this is the class for you! Work on major play productions, small skits, monologues, speech skills, pantomime and improv. We will perform shows for the student body and present an evening performance for parents. A minimum of four(4) evenings after school will be needed for performances throughout the year.

MUSIC Electives

Click here to visit the Columbia Middle School Music Boosters page.

Overview of program

Concert ensembles are the core classes for all music students at CMS. Students will be able to read and write music and perform either on a musical instrument or with voice. All ensembles will perform at all school related concerts as part of the grading component. In addition to performances, students will undergo weekly knowledge and performance based tests to demonstrate the necessary standards to reach all expectations.

Symphonic Band Year Long       7^th & 8^th Grade

The Symphonic Band is an audition concert ensemble for 7^th and 8^th graders who have at least one year of band training. Students who play in the woodwind family are placed in this class for more direct instruction. Such instruments include, but not limited to, flute, clarinet and saxophone.

Concert Band   Year Long       7^th & 8^th Grade

The Concert Band is a concert ensemble for 7^th and 8^th graders in the band training. Students who play in the brass and percussion family are placed in this class for more direct instruction. Such instruments include, but not limited to, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba and the entire percussion family, ranging from snare drum to xylophone.

Orchestra   Year Long       7^th & 8^th Grade

Orchestra is a concert ensemble open to all 7^th and 8^th graders. One year of orchestra experience is preferred. Students learn how to perform on a string instrument that include violin, viola, cello or bass.

Concert Choir   Year Long       7^th & 8^th Grade

The Concert Choir is an audition concert ensemble for 7^th and 8^th graders who have at least one year of vocal training. Students sing in a vocal range suitable to their development: soprano, alto or baritone. The vocal training encompasses all types of music from standard classical to current pop.

AIDE Elective Positions

Students should keep in mind that Aide positions are generally limited to one trimester per year unless permission is given by an administrator for multiple trimesters.

CNC Aide One  Trimester  7^th & 8^th Grade

This elective offers an opportunity for a few selected students to learn the routines and organizational structures needed in a community resource and health center.  Students should be flexible and cooperative.

LRC Aide One  Trimester  7^th & 8^th Grade

This elective offers an opportunity for a few selected students to learn the routines and skills of operating a learning resource center.  Students should have mastery of alphabetic principle and organization.

Preschool   One  Trimester  7^th & 8^th Grade

This elective offers an opportunity for a few selected students to be of assistance to the preschool teachers. The student should be comfortable playing with and reading to students as well as helping with organizational tasks. Students should be self-starters.

Teacher/Office Aide     One  Trimester       7^th & 8^th Grade

This elective offers an opportunity to assist teachers and the office in their daily tasks. Students must be trustworthy and efficient.

Students Selected By Application/Invitation Only 

AVID    Year Long       7^th & 8^th Grade

The goal of the AVID elective is to help students become active learners. Curriculum is designed to help students be successful in rigorous academic courses. Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration and Reading (WICR) form the basis of the curriculum. Qualified tutors assist students in the AVID elective classroom. Students may take field trips to local colleges, businesses and other places within the community. Students interested in AVID must complete an application and be recommended by a teacher. If a student qualifies and the class is full, student may be placed on a waiting list.

Study Skills   Trimester   7^th & 8^th Grade

Students for this class will be hand-picked for their potential. Our goal is to allow the students in this class to renew their enthusiasm for school and create a new potential within themselves to succeed in academics and in life. Some students need an extra boost in academics or motivation within their classes. They will receive support with the things they are struggling to understand, and get assistance with goal setting and motivation.

WEB/Leadership   Year Long   7^th & 8^th Grade

This class is for selected WEB Leaders only. In this class, you will learn leadership skills though various activities such as teaching mini-lessons in 6^th grade classrooms, leading lunchtime activities, and organizing school spirit activities. This class has a requirement of one hour of school service a month. If you want to create a fantastic school year, then this is the class for you.