Carver Middle Electives 2021-2022 - Foreign Language (French or Spanish) (full year)

Carver Middle Electives 2021-2022

                        Foreign Language (French or Spanish) (full year)

The purpose of foreign language instruction is to introduce students to the language through reading,
writing, listening, and speaking. Carver Middle School currently offers Spanish I and French I for high
school credit. Students learn to communicate in simple terms about everyday issues (e.g. personal
information, school life). Emphasis is also placed on exploring the people and traditions of various
French and Spanish speaking countries in order to develop sensitivity to all cultures. This will prepare
them to be successful in an ever increasing global society. This is a (3) three-year journey if you are
working towards a high school credit.

                           Physical Education: PE (semester/half year)
   Carver Middle School physical education aims to empower students to understand and appreciate the value of being
     physically active and develop the motivation for making healthy life choices. Physical Education courses foster the
  development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will contribute to a student’s balanced and healthy lifestyle. Through
opportunities for active learning, courses in this subject group embody and promote the holistic nature of well-being. Students
  engaged in physical will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health
            perspectives, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting positive social interaction

                                                       6/7th grade
This course is designed for 6th and 7th grade students and intended to be a semester course.
The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values
necessary for the development of a physically active lifestyle. The course content provides
exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences which includes, but is not
limited to: Fitness Activities and Team Sports. The integration of fitness concepts throughout
the content is critical to student success in this course and in the development of a healthy
and physically active lifestyle.

                                                       7/8th grade
This course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students and is intended to be 18 weeks in
length. The purpose of this course is to build on previously acquired knowledge, skills, and
values necessary for the implementation and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle. The
course content provides exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences
which include, but is not limited to: Outdoor Pursuits and Individual/Dual Sports. The
integration of fitness concepts throughout the content is critical to student success in this
course and in the development of a healthy and physically active lifestyle.

Library Skills/Information Literacy (TV Production)                         (full year)
                                                th   th
                                 Research 1 (6 /7 ) semesters/half year
                                    Research 2 (7th /8th ) semesters/half
Lights, camera, action! This course covers information literacy utilizing TV Production. We will learn the
basics of producing a live television newscast. Students will learn the different roles associated with a
newsroom (Television, and Newspaper) including producer, director, anchor, and camera operator. Carver
Middle Television (CMTV) airs every morning on our school channel and will follow a similar format as a
regular newscast – breaking news, weather, and what’s going on in our community. Students in this class
act as the eyes and ears of our school to make sure everyone knows what’s happening at Carver Middle. In
order to run an effective T.V. Production studio and classroom we will be working on reading and writing
strategies, grammar and sentence conventions. This course will require all students to strengthen their
reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

                                             2D Studio Art

                                        #1 (semester/half year)
Students explore media and techniques used to create a variety of 2-D artworks through developing skills
in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural
elements of art. Investigation of artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provide a means for
students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of art in global culture. Student artists
use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works.
This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

                                        #2 (semester/half year)
Students refine techniques used to create a variety of two-dimensional (2-D) artworks through developing
skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students manipulate the structural elements of art to
promote creative risk-taking in 2-D artwork. Investigation of artworks from Western and non-Western
cultures provides a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of art in
global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth
in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

                                        #3 (semester/half year)
Students extend to advanced level techniques used to create a variety of 2-D artworks through developing
skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students proficiently manipulate the structural
elements of art with increasing independence to promote creative risk-taking in 2-D artwork. Investigation of
artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provide a means for students to expand their
understanding and appreciation of the role of art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism
process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course
incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

Career Research (STEM) (semester/half year) (6/7)
The purpose of this course is to enable students to explore STEM careers/career clusters and make
informed career choices. Activities enable students to increase self-awareness and develop the skills
needed to successfully plan for postsecondary education and the workplace. Career exploration, career
chats and college research.

    African American History (Honors)(semester/half year) High School Credit
The grade 9-12 African-American History Honors course consists of the following content area strands:
World History, American History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content
emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the chronological development of African Americans by
examining the political, economic, social, religious, military and cultural events that affected the cultural
group. Content will include, but is not limited to, West African heritage, the Middle Passage and Triangular
Trade, the African Diaspora, significant turning points and trends in the development of African American
culture and institutions, enslavement and emancipation, the Abolition, Black Nationalist, and Civil Rights
movements, major historical figures and events in African-American history, and contemporary African-
American affairs.

              Holocaust Honors (semester/half year) High School Credit
This grades 9-12 Holocaust course consists of the following content area strands: American History, World
History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content emphasis for this course
pertains to the examination of the events of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the systemic, planned annihilation
of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany. Content will include, but is not limited to, the
examination of twentieth century programs and of twentieth century and twenty-first century genocides,
investigation of human behavior during this period, and an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice,
racism and stereotyping.

                  STEM Environmental Science (semester/half year)
This course is an integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) course for middle
school students. M/J STEM Environmental Science includes an integration of standards from science,
mathematics, and english language arts (ELA) through the application to STEM problem solving using
environmental sciences knowledge and science and engineering practices. Environmental sciences
through applications such as ecosystem management, human-environmental impact, ecology and
agriculture, land and resource management, and civil and environmental engineering, are emphasized in
this course. Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement,
problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures
are an integral part of this course.

                              Basic Theatre (semester/half year)
Students learn the basics of theatre arts by exploring a character through such activities as pantomime,
improvisation and effective speaking using articulation, projection and breathing. Students also explore
elements of technical theatre by exploring the use of such elements as costumes, props and scenery.
Students practice writing for the theatre and explore various theatre roles and functions. Public
performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to
attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside of the school day to support, extend and
assess learning in the classroom.

Chorus
                                            #1 (semester/half year)
Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and
creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and through time. Public
performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to
attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and
assess learning in the classroom.

                                                 #2 (full year)
Students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills
through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. Singers focus on increasing
knowledge of music theory, music literacy, and aesthetic response. Public performances may serve as a
culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in
rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the
classroom.

                                                    #3 (full year)
Students with previous choral experience build intermediate-level knowledge of vocal technique, musical
literacy, ensemble skills, and related musical knowledge through rehearsal, performance, and study of a
variety of high-quality 2-, 3-, and 4-part choral literature. Public performances may serve as a culmination of
specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and
performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

         Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Essentials
                              (6th full year)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the computer, digital, and information technology
skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. In addition to fundamental
computer information, the content includes but is not limited to digital technologies associated with web
development, multimedia, word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet communications,
cybersecurity, and computer programming. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory
setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course
content and in accordance with current practices. Coding foundations.
**Wed Design Essentials, Gaming Essentials, Digital Tools, Multimedia Essentials**

          Exploring Information Technology Careers & Career Planning
                          (6th grade semester/half year)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with exploration of the computer, digital, and information
technology skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. In addition to
fundamental computer information, the content includes but is not limited to digital technologies associated
with web development, multimedia, word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet communications,
cybersecurity, and computer programming. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory
setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course
content and in accordance with current practices. Coding foundations.
**Gaming Essentials, Digital Tools, Multimedia Essentials**

ICT Essentials Careers and Career Planning
                               (7th /8th grade full year)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the computer, digital, and information technology
skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. In addition to fundamental
computer information, the content includes but is not limited to digital technologies associated with web
development, multimedia, word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet communications,
cybersecurity, and computer programming. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory
setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course
content and in accordance with current practices. Coding foundations.
**Wed Design Essentials, Gaming Essentials, Digital Tools, Multimedia Essentials**

                      Coding Fundamentals 7th/ 8th (semester/half year)
This is an entry level programming course designed to teach the basic concepts of computer programming.
The course will include designing, coding, debugging, testing, and documenting programs using a high
level programming language. The purpose of this course is to assist Information Technology students in
making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide
information regarding careers in the career cluster. The content includes but is not limited to foundational
knowledge and skills related to computer coding and software development. Mindstorm, Apple Swift,
Gaming Essentials

                             Digital Discoveries 7th grade (full year)
Digital Discoveries in Society is an introductory computer science course that empowers students to create
authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem
solving, and fun. In addition to fundamental computer information, the content includes but is not limited to
digital technologies associated with problem solving, computer components, internet safety and ethics, web
development, animations and games, basic programming techniques, and physical computing. HTML,
Python, Cyber Forensics

                           Robotics 7th-8th grade (semester/half year)

The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to explore the area of robotics technology and
its associated careers. Students will be given the opportunity to solve technological problems using a
variety of tools, materials, processes and systems while gaining an understanding of the effects of robotics
technology on our everyday lives. Lego Robotics

         Computer Fundamentals 8th grade (high school credit) (full year)
This course introduces students to the essential concepts, components, terminology, and knowledge about
computers, computer systems, peripherals, and networks. Students will become familiar with the basic
principles of a personal computer, including the internal hardware, the operating system, and software
applications. Students will gain practice in using key applications, as well as understanding social and
ethical issues around the Internet, information, and security. Industry certifications and programming
skills, HTML, Python, Cyber Forensics

Carver students strive to…

• Become life-long learners;

• Learn by doing and experiencing;

• Are encouraged to become critical thinkers;

• Explore global challenges;

• Learn for understanding;

• Develop self-organization skills: planning work; meeting deadlines; concentration/resilience;
persistence; mindfulness; positive thinking;

• Are empowered learners who develop their talents;

• Are preparing for their future;

• Develop an approach to international-mindedness & cultural awareness.

Our school wide International Baccalaureate program aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world
through intercultural respect and understanding. We incorporate AVID and STEM strategies
to increase engagement through student ownership, accountability, and critical thinking.