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Electives

Electives

Incoming 6th Graders
For Rising 7th Graders
For Rising 8th Graders

Electives for Incoming Grade 6 Students

San Jose Intermediate offers a rich array of elective classes that develop students’ interests, talents and social skills.  Sixth-grade students may enroll in one elective course for their sixth-grade year.  Elective enrollment commitments are for the full school year.  Every effort will be given to ensure a student’s first choice; however, due to class size limitations, etc. this may not always be possible. Depending on academic needs, students may be placed in an academic support class.

Deadline for Incoming Grade 6 Students to Submit Elective Preferences: Submit your elective preferences using the form at right by March 26.  For a one-page print-friendly version of the course descriptions in English and Spanish, click the PDF button.

  • A young woman plays an acoustic guitar in a music class, focusing intently on the sheet music.

     

    Open to all students, no prior instrumental experience required. Students will learn individual instrumental skills and band practices, and participate in school concerts throughout the year. Instruments can be rented. Students practice between classes and maintain a practice log at home.

  • A group of students participate in an acting exercise, with one student sitting on a chair and another comforting her.

    Students will learn acting styles, stage direction, set building, and production techniques (including stage lighting, videography and audio set-up). There are two major productions.

The 6th Grade Dual Elective Option

This option allows students to take one semester each of two electives, chosen from the following combinations:  Study Skills and Art or Study Skills and Technology.

  • A young person in a blue hoodie holds a tablet in front of a colorful graffiti wall.

    This course is for students who want to learn and practice strategies for their future to better prepare for middle school, high school, and college. We focus on organization, collaboration and inquiry, and discuss the transition from elementary to middle school. This program is designed to introduce students to AVID skills and culture.

  • A young man smiles as he works on a painting at an easel in an art studio.

    This class will explore a wide variety of materials while also giving the students an introduction to basic drawing skills. We examine art from areas studied in both History and English classes. The focus in this class is growing student confidence in the art-making process.

  • Three young people work together on a science project, focusing intently on connecting wires and components.

    Students learn about digital citizenship and safety while using the Internet. There is a focus on learning Google Office Suite apps. Students then move onto using basic, block coding with Scratch, basic circuitry and physical computing using Makey boards. They create different projects using both circuitry and coding scripts that work with Scratch.

Electives for Rising Grade 7 (Current Grade 6) Students

Students currently in grade 6 may enroll in one elective course for their seventh-grade year.  Elective enrollment commitments are for the full school year.  Every effort will be given to ensure a student’s first choice; however, due to class size limitations, etc. this may not always be possible. Depending on academic needs, students may be placed in an academic support class.

Deadline for Current Grade 6 Students to Submit Elective Preferences:  Submit your elective preferences using the form at right by April 1.  For a one-page print-friendly version of the course descriptions in English and Spanish, click the PDF button.

  • A group of young musicians play various instruments, including guitar, drums, trumpet, clarinet, violin, and keyboard.

    Jazz Band will meet as an extra-curricular opportunity this year.  Practices will likely be in the morning.   Auditions TBA. In order to be in Jazz band, students must choose Concert  Band as their elective.

  • Close-up of a person playing a silver flute.

    Open to all students. Students will learn individual instrumental skills and band practices. Students will participate in school concerts throughout the year. It is expected that students will be responsible for maintaining a practice log at home.

  • A group of young musicians play various instruments during a music class.

    Concert Band is for any band student who has completed one year of study for any band instrument.  Band placement is at director’s discretion.  Students at the seventh-grade level may choose to transfer to another instrument with the instructor’s approval, and may also audition for Jazz Band. Expanding skills, performance practice, and festivals are all included with the seventh-grade band elective.

  • A group of young actors dressed in costumes pose for a photo on a stage.

    Students will learn acting styles, stage direction, set building, and production techniques (including stage lighting, videography, and audio set-up).  There are two major productions.   Students should sign up for Drama and they will be placed by the teacher.

  • A group of people stand in front of a sign that reads 'America's First Elizabethan Theatre'.

    Students will continue to develop skills in acting, stage direction, and performance and will build an MSA portfolio.  Additionally, more challenging materials will be addressed, including works by William Shakespeare.   Students should sign up for Drama and they will be placed by the teacher.

The 7th Grade Dual Elective Option

This option allows students to take one semester each of two electives, Art and Technology.  Courses switch at semester.

  • A group of people paint on canvases at an art class, with colorful paints and brushes spread out on the table.

    The seventh-grade art class continues to study art from around the world including Japan and the Italian Renaissance, while also working on strengthening skills with writing and discussing art. The students create an art book to keep their thoughts and sketches in. We will also explore both digital art and photography.

  • A young woman works on a robotics project, using a screwdriver to assemble a small robot.

    Students work with Learn.code.org learning about doing concepts such as loops, conditionals, functions, and variables. They move on to physical computing and work with Micro:Bit boards. Students learn about a coding concept, apply it to their coding, and incorporate it into a physical build. By the end of the semester, students apply all concepts they have learned to create a project of their choice.

  • Four teenagers sit at a table, smiling and looking at the camera. They are using a tablet and a phone.

    If you’re a student interested in Leadership please locate the application in your school bookmarks folder. Please know that the application process includes the leadership teacher talking with your current teachers.  Applications must be completed by April 30.

  • Two people study together at a desk, surrounded by books, pencils, and sticky notes.

    This elective class involves both an application and interview process for students who want to improve their writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills in order to be prepared for college and beyond. An application will be placed in your bookmarks.   Please contact Ms. Cosentino for more information at [email protected]

Electives for Rising Grade 8 (Current Grade 7) Students

Students currently in grade 7 may enroll in one elective course for their eighth-grade year. Elective enrollment commitments are for the full school year. Every effort will be given to ensure a student’s first choice; however, due to class size limitations, etc. this may not always be possible. Depending on academic needs, students may be placed in an academic support class.

Deadline for Current Grade 7 Students to Submit Elective Preferences: Submit your elective preferences using the form at right by April 1. For a one-page print-friendly version of the course descriptions in English and Spanish, click the PDF button.

  • A close-up of a musician's hand playing a golden saxophone.

    Jazz Band will meet as an extra-curricular opportunity this year.  Practices will likely be in the morning.   Auditions TBA. In order to be in Jazz band, students must choose Concert  Band as their elective.

  • A young woman smiles while holding a trombone.

    Open to all students. Students will learn individual instrumental skills and band practices. Students will participate in school concerts throughout the year. It is expected that students will be responsible for maintaining a practice log at home.

  • Close-up of a musician's hands playing a clarinet during a performance.

    Concert Band is for any band student who has completed one year of study for any band instrument.  Band placement is at director’s discretion.  Students at the seventh-grade level may choose to transfer to another instrument with the instructor’s approval, and may also audition for Jazz Band. Expanding skills, performance practice, and festivals are all included with the seventh-grade band elective.  `

  • A group of young people pose for a photo in a brightly lit room, wearing neon clothing and accessories.

    Students will learn acting styles, stage direction, set building, and production techniques (including stage lighting, videography, and audio set-up).  There are two major productions.   Students should sign up for Drama and they will be placed by the teacher.

  • A group of young actors perform on stage, with signs reading 'Mercantile' and 'Sheriff' in the background.

    Students will continue to develop skills in acting, stage direction, and performance and will build an MSA portfolio.  Additionally, more challenging materials will be addressed, including works by William Shakespeare.   Students should sign up for Drama and they will be placed by the teacher.

  • A young woman carefully shapes a clay sculpture in an art studio.

    (This is a full-year course)  In Art 8, students will continue to broaden both their creative and technical skills. We work on projects that introduce a wide variety of media, from pencil and pen to paint and plaster.  As the students move through the art program, the projects move from an introduction of the elements and principles of art to portfolio creation in preparation for high school. The 8th-grade art class uses the  Marin School of the Arts portfolio requirements as a jumping-off point for projects to help students prepare for the application process.

  • Two chalkboard speech bubbles, one asking 'undefinedHablas Espaundefinedol?' and the other responding 'undefinedSundefined!', hang from a string.

    This is a full year Spanish course. Students who complete the course with a B or better are eligible to take Spanish II in high school.

  • A group of five young adults pose for a photo, smiling and looking happy.

    If you’re a student interested in Leadership please locate the application in your school bookmarks folder. Please know that the application process includes the leadership teacher talking with your current teachers.  Applications must be completed by April 30.

  • A young man with curly brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a striped shirt and a backpack.

    This elective class involves both an application and interview process for students who want to improve their writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills in order to be prepared for college and beyond. An application will be placed in your bookmarks.   Please contact Ms. Cosentino for more information at [email protected]