Elective Survey & Descriptions
Granada Middle School Electives INFORMATION SHEET 2023-2024
Incoming 6th Graders
All 6th Grade students will be enrolled in an Exploratory Wheel unless they are accepted in the music program.
Students will have the opportunity to investigate Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Technology, Introduction to Leadership, and Art. Each quarter students will rotate so that during their 6th grade year, they experience all four classes.
Granada Middle School Band and Orchestra for Incoming 6th Graders
(applications are due to your 5th grade teachers by April 28, 2023).
Current 6th & 7th Graders
Please click on the images below to see the videos for information on our individual Electives offered at Granada! Also, click here for a presentation with an overview all of the electives and the survey process. The survey window will be open from February 28-March 11.
YEAR-LONG ELECTIVES:
Year-long electives at Granada may require an additional application process.
Art
In the art room, students create hands on projects that are tied to an artist (for ex. Keith Haring) or art movement (for ex. pop art) while at the same time exploring a different mediums with each project. The different mediums include: pencil, colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, three-dimensional sculptures, tempera paint, metal embossing, collage, soft pastels, printmaking, scratchboard and mixed media. The semester-long art curriculum is new every year so that returning students are exposed to new artists and mediums. To see what we are up to check us out on facebook.com/mrswillesartroom.
Geography
This elective course aims to bring the idea of world travel directly to the classroom. Taking a fun and interactive approach where students drive the learning enables students to "see the world" through the comforts of their own classroom (wherever that may be!). This course focuses on the basics of geography and incorporates major elements of marketing and research in class presentations and discussions. Students will not only learn where states and countries are using a variety of mnemonic devices and interactive experiences to make them easier to remember, but they will also be exposed to the vast array of world cultures and traditions set forth by different regions of the globe! Let your guide's worldwide experience take you there! Mrs. Smolinisky is no stranger to world travel and has so much to share with her students. Where would you love to travel? It's time to put down your maps and get wonderfully lost! Let's learn more about this beautiful world around us and explore foreign lands and unknown places-together!
Performing Arts
Performing Arts is a year-long elective course for 7th and 8th grade students. Students learn a variety of dances to different genres of music and even get experience learning to choreograph. Students present short skits and plays and experience an introduction to theater performance. Some examples of class projects this year have been: Favorite Performer presentations, short skits performed for a live kindergarten audience, daily dance warmups, script writing and presenting, magic shows, studying the musical Hamilton and learning some basic choreography from the play, partner interviews/presentations, creating musical vision boards for 2021, performing "The Elf" Reader's Theater, ing students are exposed to new artists and mediums. To see what we are up to check us out on facebook.com/mrswillesartroom. No previous experience is needed- just an open mind and a positive attitude!
Robotics
Are you interested in engineering, technology, or design? Do you want opportunities to express your creativity and problem solving skills? Then robotics is the course for you! Join us as we work in collaborative groups to learn the fundamentals of computer/robotics programing, and engineering while designing and building robots! The goal of robotics is to foster a learning environment in which students are guided to produce original ideas/design, learn coding, learn about the history of robots, and engineer their own robots.
Spanish 1/Spanish 2
This Beginning Spanish elective course aims to expose students to the beautiful Spanish language and Latin culture, as well as the geographical features of Spanish-speaking countries near and far! Taking a fun and interactive approach where students drive the learning enables students to practice the language within the comforts of their own classroom – all the while learning about the richness of culture and geography. Students will not only learn the basics of the Spanish language using interactive experiences and a variety of educational tools (especially catchy songs and video clips), but they will also be exposed to the vast array of cultures and traditions set forth by different Spanish-speaking countries from around the world! Students who apply should be committed to overcoming the challenges of learning a new language – be ready to let go of the fear of making mistakes and just dive right in! Students who already speak basic Spanish should not take this course.
Technology
Technology is a year-long elective in which students learn valuable 21st century skills through computer programming, aka coding. Utilizing resources from Code.org, Scratch, Khan Academy, or other various digital curriculums, students gain a solid foundation in computational thinking and programming logic. Students will begin using Blockly to create programs in animations, stories, and games and eventually move up to JavaScript by the end of their term. Students who are tech-savvy or looking to learn more about using computers would be interested in joining technology!
Leadership Electives
Granada Middle School’s Student Leadership Team is made up of 4 integral parts: ASB (Student Council), INSPIRE Mentors Program, Video Production, and Yearbook Crew. Together, these 4 electives form the Student Leadership Team. Students on our Leadership Team are held in high esteem and are well-regarded by staff and students alike. They are expected to participate in events and activities that go above and beyond the general realm of the classroom. Leadership Service Hours require students to help on and around campus for 2 hours each month during Nutrition, Lunch, or before and after school on a regular basis. Students are expected to maintain at least “C” grades, with no D’s, F’s, N’s or U’s. Ambassadors, Peer Mentors, and Teacher/Office Aides are also considered additional leadership positions on our campus, though their roles are mainly utilized within the classroom.
ASB (Student Council)
This elected student-led group on campus, made up of highly motivated student leaders who care about our school, represents the entire Associated Student Body and works to create a fun and interactive environment for all students as they attend middle school. The ASB Cabinet is responsible for putting together a variety of traditional school events and activities such as dress-up days, dances, spirit rallies, and theme weeks and play an integral role in approving and allocating funds collected by the student body and campus organizations through formal monthly meetings. Students learn how to manage projects from start to finish and are taught the high level of rigor required to make things happen on campus. ASB Representatives are key players in listening to students’ ideas and committed to turning those ideas into reality – all for the sake of making Granada a better place for our entire Matador community! Students who apply for this elective should be natural-born leaders who are outgoing and enthusiastic, highly imaginative and creative, have a strong work ethic, demonstrate awesome school spirit, and just love being a Matador!
An additional screening process will follow for anyone who selects ASB as their choice on the online survey!
INSPIRE Mentors Program
The INSPIRE Mentors Program – Inspiring New Students with Purpose, Involvement, Responsibility, and Encouragement – is Granada’s version of high school “Link Crew”. It focuses on helping 6th graders transition into middle school as well as helping to bridge the gap between all grade levels through the introduction of such programs as the Kindness Matters Campaign, INSPIRE Mondays Lessons, The Next InSTALLment Newsletter, #iCANHELP Delete Negativity on Social Media Program, and the DUDE. be nice Project. Students learn how to mentor our newest students on campus and work to plan meaningful events and activities that focus on kindness, wellness, and bettering our overall school culture and climate. It is a class for those who want to tackle the ‘bigger issues’ affecting our school, believe themselves to be truly positive role models, and want to make a difference during their years here at Granada Middle School. INSPIRE Mentors are highly regarded by their teachers and peers and exhibit true leadership – the kind that exists when no one is watching! Students who apply for this elective should be hard-working individuals who enjoy helping others and love making a difference on our campus.
An additional screening process will follow for anyone who selects INSPIRE Mentors as their choice on the online survey!
Video Production
Granada Video Production creates a weekly Matador TV Show for our students. Matador TV showcases weekly happenings at Granada and important information. Students are introduced to the art of storytelling, journalism, and script-writing through the use of video media. Students learn the basics of filming regarding digital, audio, and video camera usage. Students also create their own graphic designs and backdrops utilizing their Google Drive. Students who apply for this elective should be responsible, creative, team players who love technology and are able to multitask.
An additional screening process will follow for anyone who selects Video Production as their choice on the online survey!
Yearbook Crew
Yearbook is a year-long elective in which students produce the Granada Middle School yearbook. In this fun and rewarding class, students will learn skills in photography, copywriting and design. Students also gain valuable life skills that will benefit them in high school and college, all while creating the Yearbook and recording school memories and events. Students who apply for this elective should dependable, organized, creative and work well with others. Be a part of the team and come join Yearbook!
An additional screening process will follow for anyone who selects Yearbook as their choice on the online survey!
Visual & Performing Arts Electives
Granada’s extensive Visual & Performing Arts Program highlights the skills and talents of our exceptional Matadors!
Advanced Art
Advanced Art allows students the opportunity to experience art all year long (see Art on other side for more information)! Students who apply for this elective should enjoy creating and learning about 2D and 3D art.
Applications will be given to those students who choose Advanced Art on the online survey!
Band & Orchestra (Strings)
Granada’s Band and Orchestra Program offers an exciting opportunity for you to learn how to play a musical instrument. This elective is year-long and available to all Granada students next year. If you are currently in sixth or seventh grade, you can enroll in either Symphonic Band or Concert Orchestra. Symphonic Band is a class for students who have some prior musical experience who would like to play a woodwind or brass instrument: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, french horn, trombone, or tuba. In concert orchestra, students with some prior music experience will play the stringed instruments: violin, viola, cello, or upright bass. Sorry, we do not offer percussion (for new students), guitar, or piano classes. Our program is very active throughout the school year, and we have at least two evening concerts per semester. We also have field trips throughout the year (to Knott's Berry Farm, for example), to represent our school through the art of music-making. Be ready to work hard in this elective and strive to be the best musician you can be! This is an elective that requires daily practice on your instrument (minimum 30 minutes of practice at home a day), and at times, after school practice is needed.
Advanced Robotics
Advanced Robotics is for students who have had prior experience in robotics or have taken the semester long robotics class. Are you interested in engineering, technology, or design? Do you want opportunities to express your creativity and problem solving skills? Then robotics is the course for you! Join us as we work in collaborative groups to learn the fundamentals of computer/robotics programing, and engineering while designing and building robots! All robotics students will also participate in projects that allow them to pursue their personal interests through a yearlong public service, entrepreneurial, or self-improvement project. Students who apply for this elective should show a strong interest in attending, competing, and volunteering at robotics competitions.
Applications will be given to those students who choose Advanced Robotics on the online survey!