Electives

Year Long Electives

Students are expected to take year long electives for all 3 trimesters.

Advanced Art (8)

This yearlong class continues your adventure in Art. For students who have had Art in the 7th grade at LPMS or by teacher recommendation. Advanced art focuses on more in-depth understanding of a media and techniques including ceramics, book-making, block, gelli, and intaglio printing, painting, drawing, sculpting, and a self-driven exploration of your choice of media.

Band

We offer four bands at LPMS to meet the musical needs of our band students.

• Concert Band (6, 7, 8): This is designed for students new to band. The class is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who would like to learn to play a band instrument. No prior experience required. Musical notations, rhythms and theory will be introduced in collaboration with an introduction to band. Students will learn to understand and appreciate the relationships between music, the other arts, and other fields of study.
• Symphonic Band (6, 7, 8): This is for students with at least one year’s experience on their band instrument. Music theory, rhythms and notations continue to be implemented while the ensemble’s repertoire is selected from a wide array of styles and genres. Students will continue learning an understanding and appreciation for music, other arts and other fields of study.
• Wind Ensemble (7, 8): This is for students with at least two year’s experience on their band instrument. Music theory, rhythms and notations continue to be implemented while the ensembles repertoire is selected from a wide array of styles and genres. Students will have an understanding and appreciation for music, other arts and other fields of study. Students will be encouraged to participate in either a solo or small ensemble setting such as a Solo and Ensemble Festival.
• Advanced Mariachi Orgullo Del Valle (6, 7, 8): Advanced Mariachi students will continue progressing vocally and on their instrument (trumpet, violin, guitar, vihuela, guitarron) within a full mariachi group setting. Students will progress to more advanced rhythms, ranges, strumming patterns, etc. Students will perform multiple times throughout the year. Prerequisite: Mariachi or Band or Orchestra (for violin players), or by audition.

Choir

We offer three choirs at LPMS to meet the musical needs of our choir students.

• Cantaré (Choir 6) (6): Cantaré is our 6th grade choir, open to any and all 6th graders! Previous elementary school choir experience is not required. We focus on the adolescent voice change, beginning sight reading skills, music literacy, developing vocal technique and ensemble skills. The music we sing will cover folk songs from around the world, “traditional” choral music, pop and Broadway, and we incorporate multiple languages. This is a year-long class with a few performances throughout the year.
• Coro Ánima (Intermediate Choir) (7, 8): Coro Anima is open to any and all 7th and 8th graders without previous choral experience in middle school. We focus on the adolescent voice change, establishing sight reading skills, music literacy, developing vocal technique and ensemble skills. The music we sing will cover folk songs from around the world, “traditional” choral music, pop and Broadway, and we incorporate multiple languages. This is a year-long class with a few performances throughout the year.
• Coro Allegro (Advanced Choir) (7, 8): Coro Allegro is open to any and all 7th and 8th graders with at least one year of middle school choir experience. 7th and 8th graders with previous experience in another musical format such as band/orchestra/private lessons, etc. may contact Mrs. Gollmann to audition for placement into this group. We focus on the adolescent voice change, advanced sight reading skills, music literacy, refining vocal technique and ensemble skills in preparation for high school choir. The music we sing will cover folk songs from around the world, “traditional” choral music, pop and Broadway, and we incorporate multiple languages. This is a year-long class with a few performances throughout the year.

Orchestra

We offer two orchestras at LPMS to meet the musical needs of our orchestra students.

• Premier Orchestra (6, 7): This is a yearlong, non-auditioned ensemble open to all orchestral strings students, who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Music theory, rhythms and notations will be implemented while the ensemble’s repertoire is selected from a wide array of styles and genres. Students will continue learning an understanding and appreciation for music, other arts and other fields of study. Students will be encouraged to participate in either a solo, or a small ensemble setting such as a Solo and Ensemble Festival.
• Chamber Orchestra (7, 8): This is a yearlong, auditioned ensemble open to all orchestral strings students, who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Music theory, rhythms and notations will continue to be implemented while the ensemble’s repertoire is selected from a wide array of styles and genres. Students will continue learning an understanding and appreciation for music, other arts and other fields of study. Students will be encouraged to participate in either a solo, or a small ensemble setting such as a Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Advanced STEM (8)

This is an extension of the STEM class offered to 7th & 8th graders, but with more complex projects requiring the learning of new STEM skills. In Advanced STEM, 8th graders will be working with community partners and implementing new ideas that will support STEM projects within our school. Students will gain hands-on experience with power tools, robotic programming, simple electronics, and much more. This class is for those students who enjoyed basic STEM and would like to continue learning more about the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in a project-based classroom setting.

Leadership (7, 8)

Do you want to help your school and community? Do you think you have what it takes to help make Linus Pauling be the best school? If you think you have or would like to learn the leadership skills to help others, would like to take care of our school and do great things then apply to be in the LPMS Leadership class. This class requires self-directed learners and trustworthy individuals to step outside the box through many activities within our school such as fundraising, assemblies and spirit week. Leadership is also responsible for the creation and distribution of the Yearbook. Students who are interested will be responsible for documenting the fantastic activities LP offers through the school year and collaborating to encapsulate those memories for students and staff in the Yearbook. It is a student-centered class so it is what you make of it! It is a chance to put your creativity and skills to work.

• Application required: Applications are available online and must be returned to be considered for this class.  Students accepted into Leadership will be placed in the class.

World Languages

• Spanish Year 1 (6,7,8): This course is an introduction to Spanish that concentrates on communicative activities in which students hear, speak, read, and write the language. Vocabulary and basic structures (grammar) are introduced in a logical sequence and practiced in context until they become second nature. Themes include basic introductions, school, food, and travel. In class students will interact with each other in meaningful simulated real-life situations, practice reading and writing, and become acquainted with the people and culture of different Spanish-speaking places. At the end of Spanish Year 1, successful students should be prepared to take Spanish Year 2 in 8th grade or Spanish 1 at the high school level.
• Spanish Year 2 (7,8): This course is a continuation of Spanish Year 1 that concentrates on communicative activities in which students hear, speak, read, and write the language. Vocabulary and basic structures (grammar) continue to be introduced in a logical sequence and practiced in context until they become second nature. Themes include family, parties, houses, shopping, and clothes. In class students will interact with each other in meaningful simulated real-life situations, practice reading and writing, and become acquainted with the people and culture of different Spanish-speaking places. At the end of Spanish Year 2, successful students should be prepared to begin High School Spanish 2.

Single Trimester Long Electives

Classes marked ** can be selected more than once and taken two trimesters. Students taking it for the first time will be given priority for space.

Creative Arts

• Art 6 (6): This class is an introduction to artistic media. You will leap into drawing, painting, collage, clay, and textile art. Creativity, effort, and hard work leads to success in art class!
• Art (7, 8) **: This class is for anyone who wants to develop art skills, discover hidden talents, or stretch your imagination. You will have the opportunity to explore a broad variety of media, like painting, printing, sculpture, textiles, and …CERAMICS (clay work). Creativity, effort, and hard work are key to success in art class. Learn about art styles and history as well as historical and contemporary artists. This class is a way to become a part of art in the world!
• Creative Writing (6,7,8): Creative Writing explores different genres of writing. This class will provide a creative outlet to allow students to extend their existing skills in reading and writing. This course is designed with the goal of inspiring students to develop original pieces and ideas. Writing genres covered are poetry, narrative, short fiction, and journalism. In addition to smaller daily activities, this class will teach students how to write and analyze multiple styles of poetry, how to produce quality and meaningful storytelling through the narrative process, how to extend their short story writing skills into a well-polished piece of fiction, and will teach the elements of journalism and give students an eye for non-fiction storytelling.
• Drama (7,8)**: The LPMS Drama elective is an opportunity for students in grades 7 and 8 to engage in the process of Theatrical Production. Students will learn techniques in acting, wear costumes, apply make-up, develop props and sets, design lights, and work with sound specifically developed for the stage. This is a single-trimester elective with a single production at the end of the term.

Music Classes

• Beginning Mariachi Melodía (for violin and trumpet) (6,7,8): Intro to Melodía is a class designed for students brand new to Mariachi music and instruments. Melodia class will introduce students to basic skills on the trumpet and violin. Students will sing, learn to play their instrument, tuning, develop basic note reading and ensemble playing skills. Students will also learn about the history and key terms of mariachi music. This class is a prerequisite for students wishing to join the Advanced Mariachi class as a trumpet or violin player. Melodía violin students may also join Premier Orchestra the following year instead.

Social Science Electives

• World Peace Games (6,7): The World Peace Game is a hands-on political simulation that gives players the opportunity to explore the connectedness of the global community through the lens of the economic, social, and environmental crises and the imminent threat of war. The goal of the game is to extricate each country from dangerous circumstances and achieve global prosperity with the least amount of military intervention. As “nation teams,” students will gain greater understanding of the critical impact of information and how it is used.

STEM/Science Electives

• Astronomy (7,8): Astronomy is an area of science that deals with the study of everything outside of Earth’s atmosphere. In this course, we’ll cover topics relating to the Sun, the Moon, our solar system, and stars. We will also investigate forces that play a role in the movement and behavior of the celestial bodies.
• Food Science (Cooking With Kropf) (6,7,8): In Cooking With Kropf we will dive into the world of food science. This one trimester course is designed to teach students how to be good consumers by exploring various aspects of foods and nutrition. Our course of study will include the use of a lab notebook to reinforce reading, writing, mathematics and organizational skills. Our main areas of study will include:
  Kitchen safety and accident prevention; food safety; sanitation and hygiene; kitchen and cooking terminology; proper use of kitchen appliances, equipment, and tools; reading, understanding, and following recipes; proper measuring of ingredients; basic food preparation skills; planning and preparing a balanced meal; nutrition and wellness; careers in the food industry; collaboration and teamwork.
• Game Sense (6,7): Do you love playing board games with your family and friends? Come uncover the computational mystery behind popular board games. This curriculum will emphasize how different parts of games closely resemble concepts in computer programming. Through this class, students will gain an understanding of core concepts in computer science by playing and analyzing board games, such as tic-tac-toe and connect four. Topics include explorations of representation, algorithms, and computation. Through these adventures, you will learn that objects of the physical world can be represented using symbols and connect the rules of a game to computing algorithms. Students will further their understanding of computer science ideas by expressing well-known board games in a simplified programming language.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (6,7,8): In this course, students will explore the basic structure, functions, and major systems of the human body at an introductory level. This course is the perfect foundation for students wanting to learn more about how the body’s systems work together to grow, move, communicate, and stay alive. Students will utilize hands-on as well as online resources to explore how the body maintains homeostasis.
• STEM (7,8)**: The STEM class – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics- is a project based elective where students develop skills in design and problem solving while working in teams to complete class challenges. In addition to team activities, students are able to work independently to solve problems and create their own project solutions. Topics covered may include: K’nex building, Pinewood Derby racing, robotics, programming and coding, 3D design and printing, gardening, and interactions within the community related to STEM career pathways. The activities and academic applications students will experience in this class will open up opportunities and skill sets that will be useful to them in their continuing education.

Other Fun Electives

• PE (6, 7, 8)**: If there is space in the student’s schedule and in the class, students may take additional trimesters of Physical Education as an elective.
• Peer Tutor (7,8)**: Peer tutors will help with students who receive Life Skills services in the classroom and/or in PE. Peer tutors will learn to help other students who experience cognitive or physical disabilities. Must be responsible, courteous, cooperative, and follow directions.
• Student Assistants (7,8): Library, Office, Teacher, and PE assistants: Practice job skills such as responsibly, following directions, remaining on task, working with minimum supervision, being courteous and cooperative while assisting the appropriate staff and visitors. You must be responsible, self-directed, and not have any behavior issues in order to be considered for this class. Please remember to choose alternatives as these positions are few. You must choose additional electives in order to qualify for one of the above assistants.
• XLT – Extended Learning Time (6, 7, 8)**: This is a study hall class for students who need time within the school day to work on homework and class assignments. If you have a busy life outside of school, this can be a time to get work done. There will be some support and structure around organization, study strategies, how to calculate your grades, and keeping track of assignments. You do not need to forecast for all three sections although you may choose more than one. Term preference is not guaranteed.

Two Trimester Long Electives

Advanced Drama (8)

You’ve learned the skills through LPMS Drama, now it’s time to put those skills to use! LPMS Adv. Drama allows students the opportunity to SHOWCASE those skills for the LPMS community. By applying makeup, developing character, and enhancing lights and sounds, guided by an instructor, LPMS Adv. Drama students will put together two to three-person character scenes ready to be showcased for the entire student body of Linus Pauling. The spotlight is on you!! Revel in it! This is a two Trimester course with Drama as a prerequisite.

Beginning Mariachi Melodía (for violin and trumpet) (6, 7, 8)

Intro to Melodía is a class designed for students brand new to Mariachi music and instruments. Melodia class will introduce students to basic skills on the trumpet and violin. Students will sing, learn to play their instrument, tuning, develop basic note reading and ensemble playing skills. Students will also learn about the history and key terms of mariachi music. This class is a prerequisite for students wishing to join the Advanced Mariachi class as a trumpet or violin player. Melodía violin students may also join Premier Orchestra the following year instead.