Elective Courses

Beginning Band

Course Title:
Beginning Band
Department:
Fine Arts-Music
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Beginning Band is a music class designed for students who have little or no musical training on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba. Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.

Intermediate Band - “The Wave”

Course Title:
Intermediate Band
Department:
Fine Arts-Music
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Intermediate Band is a music class designed for students who have limited musical training (at least one year) on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba. Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.

Advanced Band - “Aqua Tunes”

Course Title:
Advanced Band
Department:
Fine Arts-Music
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Advanced Band is a music class designed for students who have at least two years of formal training on a wind instrument including flute, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, or tuba. Daily rehearsals in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the course. Mandatory performances are traditionally held in late fall/early winter and early/late spring.

Choir-Beginning and Performance

Course Title:
Choir-Beginning and Performance
Department:
Fine Arts-Performing Arts
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Choir is a performing arts class designed for students who have little or no training in music vocal production coupled with music history and written expression. Daily voice exercises in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for the beginning course. Mandatory assignments include the participation in schoolwide performances, and dramatic musicals paired with the El Segundo High School students also enrolled in choir. Advanced students compete across the states in music festivals and music in the parks activities.

Festival Choir

Course Title:
Festival Choir
Department:
Fine Arts-Performing Arts
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Festival Show Choir is composed of a select group of auditioned 6th-8th graders who sing popular music, show tunes, and classical music on stage. The festival choir attends festivals in Los Angeles county and performs throughout the year in varies performances in El Segundo. The students audition by singing a song and completing a dance audition to be placed in festival choir. Festival choir is centered around singing and dancing at the same time. Music theory, ear training, composition, music history, and singing is the main focus of the choir. The choir moves at a fast pace and learns 4-6 festival songs per trimester. Any student is able to audition. Auditions are held in May and June of each school year. Incoming 6th graders interested can be auditioned through appointments.

Middle School Choir

Course Title:
Middle School Choir
Department:
Fine Arts-Performing Arts
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Middle School Choir is composed of 6th-8th graders who sing show tunes, classical, and contemporary music on stage. The middle school choir attends local festivals in Los Angeles on a voluntary basis and performs 4 times a year throughout El Segundo. The students do not have to audition in order to be in the middle school choir. theory, ear training, composition, music history, and singing is the main focus of the choir. MS choir does sing and dance as well, but only 50% of the music is show tunes. The choir moves at a great pace and learns 4-6 pieces of music per trimester. Any student is able to be in choir. There is no audition.

Art

Course Title:
Art
Department:
Fine Arts-visual Arts
Grade Level:
6-8
Course Description:
Art is a visual arts class designed for students who have little or no training in art production coupled with art history and written expression. Daily sketches in class and daily practice outside of class are some of the requirements for this course. Mandatory assignments include the use of several mediums including clay, chalk, paper, pencil, marker, watercolor, oil paints and photography. Each trimester the students also have to research projects that require the understanding of either an art period or the artist of choice.

Spanish 1 and Spanish 2

Course Title:
Spanish 1 and Spanish 2
Department:
Foreign Languages
Grade Level:
7-8
Course Description:
Spanish classes at the Middle School level are parallel to the programs offered at El Segundo High School in the year long program. Students who complete these courses are eligible for continuing on the next level if the course completion exam is passed. Students are given priority in to the year long course from 8 th grade on down to 6 th grade. 6 th grade students are also offered a Wheel option in which Spanish introduction is available in one of three trimester classes.

Yearbook

Course Title:
Yearbook
Department:
Information Technology
Grade Level:
7-8
Course Description:
This course is deigned to provide students with practical experience in planning and producing a book that chronicles the school’s events during the year. The course uses an eclectic approach in which students from a variety of disciplines (English, art, photography, graphic arts) cooperate in the production of a yearbook. Students will help to chronicle the school year while learning various computer skills. Students will fill staff positions on a companion to The Bulldog Breeze newspaper as editors, reporters, business managers, photographers, cartoonists and production personnel. Students will have an opportunity to participate in competitions and other special writing and design contests. Throughout the course, computer skills will be integrated as part of the content. Word processing, spreadsheets, databases, search techniques, web page design, basic graphics and design will be covered throughout the course.

Peer Assistance

Course Title:
Peer Assistance
Department:
Student Counseling and Conflict Management
Grade Level:
7-8
Course Description:
Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) is a state accredited, curriculum – based program offered at the El Segundo Middle School. Students are selected through an application and screening process. PALs are trained in mediation, communication and helping skills that are used to build an atmosphere of caring and understanding. PALs also work to facilitate a safer and more positive school experience. Students are given opportunities to work in a helping role with peers on their own campus as well as Center Street Elementary School. Student led community service projects are encouraged each year.

Bulldog Computer Applications: Journalism

Course Title:
Bulldog Computer Applications: Journalism
Department:
Information Technology
Grade Level:
Wheel Elective
Course Description:
Students will fill staff positions on a companion to The Bulldog Breeze newspaper as editors, reporters, business managers, photographers, cartoonists and production personnel. Students will have an opportunity to participate in competitions and other special writing and design contests. Throughout the course, computer skills will be integrated as part of the content. Word processing, spreadsheets, databases, search techniques, web page design, basic graphics and design will be covered throughout the course.

Introduction to Computer Applications

Course Title:
Introduction to Computer Applications
Department:
Information Technology
Grade Level:
7
Course Description:
Introduction to Computer Applications is designed to effectively develop, implement and manage information technology skills. The goal is for students to be able to use information technology including hardware and software as easily as they now use a pencil. Students need to be prepared for the changes and challenges ahead and know how to evaluate, adapt and use technology to their advantage. This class offers students the opportunity to be introduced to the concepts of computer literacy and to acquire and increase skill levels.
The major document processing application programs used throughout the world today will be intensively taught including Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. As part of the keyboarding component, students are able to acquire a lifetime skill, which will enable them to manipulate the computer keyboard by the touch method. They will build their skill level to 35 words per minute and will learn to prepare documents using Microsoft Word. Proofreading skills are emphasized and strengthened.

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