2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
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2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
Students in 6TH Grade will choose one enrichment course. The students in 7th Grade and 8th
Grade will have the option of one or two enrichment courses, depending on enrichment course
selected. Every effort is made to place students in their first or second preference. Seat capacity
fills up quickly in some enrichment courses, therefore students who are not placed in their first
preferences will be placed in an alternative enrichment course. Enrichment course placement is
also based on core class schedules, with no core class conflicts permitting Courses are subject
to change.
ART
Cartooning & Animation (Grades 6th to 8th)
Students in Cartooning & Animation will create their own traditional hand-drawn
animation while learning about the history and principles of this century old art form.
Other important topics of study in this year long course include character design,
illustration, and world-building visual development.
Architecture & Design (Grade 7th & 8th only)- Students in Architecture & Design will
study the foundational principles of technical and architectural drawing in the fall
semester and apply what they learned to our major spring semester endeavor: The
Imagineering In A Box Theme Park Design Project, an in-depth curriculum designed by
Disney Imagineering and the Khan Academy.
BAND
INTRODUCTION BAND (Grade 6th to 8th)
Winds is a beginning band class in which students will have the opportunity to learn
how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. The class is designed to be
the foundation of a three-year program which students have the opportunity to
continue in seventh and eighth grade. Which instrument a student is assigned to is a
joint decision between student and teacher, depending on the instrumentation of the
class. Before playing begins, all students will learn about the families of instruments and
basic musical concepts. Throughout the year, in addition to learning how to play their
instruments, students will learn to read and write notes and rhythms, to critically
evaluate musical performances, and to conduct themselves professionally on stage.
Each semester the class will culminate in an evening concert, showcasing the student’s
mastery of first year repertoire and performance practices. This class is also appropriate
for incoming 6th graders that have private lesson experience, as they will receive
more advanced instruction tailored to their skill level.
BEGINNING CONCERT BAND (7TH GRADE ONLY)
This class is the second level course in the three-year winds program at Walter Reed.
This year will be a more intensive step forward from beginning winds, as we will
perform more comprehensive and technically advanced repertoire. Performances
include four evening concerts and a local instructional festival.2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
SENIOR BAND (8TH GRADE ONLY)
This class is the highest-level course in the three-year winds program at Walter Reed.
This class is an intensive step forward from seventh grade, as the students will perform
more comprehensive and technically challenging repertoire. Students must uphold
excellent behavior and performance standards in order to remain in this advanced class.
Performances include 4 evening concerts, one local district instructional festival and a
four-day overnight trip to San Francisco.
CALIFORNIA CADET CORP (Grades 6th to 8th)
The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is a student-led, statewide leadership development
program fully integrated into the school community. Cadet Corps emphasizes academic
success, public service, personal integrity, courage, citizenship, lifelong habits of
responsible behavior, and appreciation for the rich heritage of America and California.
The Superior Scholarship Ribbon is presented at the end of each semester to cadets
earning a 3.0 grade average or better. Website: www.cacadets.org.
CHOIR AND VOCAL ENSEMBLES
GLEE CHOIR (Grades 6th to 8th)
Open to any student that has a desire to learn to sing, as well as the accomplished
singer and performer. In this class, students will learn to read music, sing a variety of
styles of music, sing in harmony with a pleasant tone, explore performing and engage in
fun music-making activities. Students experience preparing for a show by performing in
two concerts each semester.
MIXED CHOIR (7th GRADE)
Students in this intermediate-level ensemble, students will explore singing a variety of
choral songs, with a focus on technique, ear-training, and 3 to 4-part harmony. Students
prepare for performances in the auditorium throughout the year and at a festival in the
spring. Prerequisites: Open by audition or approval from the teacher)
SHOW CHOIR (7th GRADE)
Students will work as a team to prepare and perform an exciting show choir set that
involves singing, choreography, acting and performance techniques in costume. 7th
Show Choir is a beginning-level show choir that performs at all concerts in the
auditorium and at competitions in the spring. Former dance, singing or sports
experience is helpful. Prerequisites: Open by audition or approval from the teacher)2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
CONCERT CHOIR (8th GRADE)
Concert Choir is an advanced-level ensemble with a focus on proper vocal technique,
ear-training and singing high-quality choral literature in 3 to 6-part harmony. Concert
Choir students perform at all choral events in the auditorium and are welcomed at many
prestigious festivals and competitions in California. Prerequisites: Open by audition or
approval from the teacher)
SHOW CHOIR (8TH GRADE)
Students will work as a team to prepare and perform an exciting show choir set that
involves singing, choreography, acting and performance techniques. 8th Show Choir is
an advanced-level show choir that creates a memorable show and performs at all
concerts in the auditorium and at several prestigious competitions in the spring
Prerequisites: Open by audition or approval from the teacher)
CAREER AWARENESS VIDEO (7th and 8th Grade only)
Students will explore the wide creative world of film making. They will study film making
from feature films to short films, and even such short forms as TikTok. Students will also
be introduced to a wide range of art forms in order to find inspiration to create their
own films. Students will go through the film making process: writing stories, filming,
performing, editing, and presenting their creations.
COMPUTERS
Computer Science (Grades 6th to 8th)
Students will develop habits of problem-solving. Students learn by doing, constructing
their understanding in collaboration with their peers. Some ways students will access this
understanding is through computer video production, coding (Java Script, Python, and
SCRATCH), stock market simulation competing against other schools, website
development (html, css, WIX, and Google Sites), use of many types of software (i.e.
Photoshop, Microsoft Word and Excel). Each project is designed to be accessible at many
levels, to accommodate students with prior experience, and students are encouraged to
seek out the level that is appropriate for them.
CREATIVE WRITING (Grade 6th to 8th)
The class is designed to instill self-confidence and prepare the students to be able to
communicate in front of an audience. Students will be writing character plays, making
how-to videos, adapting a well- known fairytale into a scary story, or making personal
coat of arms. They will be engaged in writing A rhyming book for younger students;
making inner-self-portraits, and or producing and creating PSA (Public Service
Announcements) on hot button topics. The only requirement is a writing journal to2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
showcase their growth from all their writings and ideas for the course…. And of course,
you must want to have fun, get creative, and learn how to present.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (Grade 6th to 8th)
The purpose of this course is to inspire students to become environmental activists in
their community. We will study the impact of humans on the environment and discuss
opportunities for change. We will focus on how we can save the environment in our
own homes, to our local neighborhoods, and ultimately our global community. Students
will participate in projects that will teach them to live in harmony with the environment
and to preserve it for their future. Most of the class period is spent in the garden
nurturing our plants in the garden, and caring for our recycling program at Reed. On
rainy or hot days, we will do activities in the classroom or view environmental
documentaries.
LANGUAGE
INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH (6th Grade)
This is a class where students will learn the fundamentals of Spanish through studying
diverse cultures. Students will develop the fundamentals of Spanish through listening,
reading, speaking, and writing. This enrichment course will provide the tools needed to
succeed in Spanish 1 and 2. The class will incorporate the alphabet, numbers, the accent
mark, pronunciation, basic grammar, basic conversation skills, etc. This class will help
6th graders determine if they would like to continue to Spanish 1 and 2 for 7th and 8th
grade, which are more advanced and rigorous. Upon completion of Spanish 1 and 2,
students earn themselves high school credit in Spanish. Most importantly, 6th graders
will leave this course with knowledge of different cultures and basic conversational
Spanish.
SPANISH 1 (7th Grade)
Spanish 1 is a fully immersive class into Spanish. As soon as they walk into the door
there will be no English, Spanish only. Students will develop novice-level Spanish
through listening, reading, speaking, and writing. In this course students will learn
beginning conversational skills, grammar, pronunciation, and conjugations in the
present tense only. Students will learn how to identify self-interests, express opinions,
talk about likes and dislikes, make comparisons and connections to cultures, etc.
Students will be able to express themselves through writing and speaking. We will start
to read short stories in Spanish to help with comprehension, develop vocabulary, and
reading skills. Upon completion of this course, students earn themselves high school
credit for Spanish 1.
Spanish 2 (8th Grade)
Spanish 2 will continue the fully immersive Spanish experience. In this course students
will continue developing learned skills from Spanish 1 through reading, listening,
speaking, and writing. Having mastery of the present tense, we will then move on to
stem-changing verbs, reflective verbs, preterit, perfect tenses, imperfect tenses, present2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
progressive, present perfect, and future tense. Some themes that will be viewed are
travel, health, daily routines, shopping, communities, and food. We will start to read
literature to help with comprehension, develop more vocabulary, and reading skills.
Upon completion of this course, students earn themselves high school credit for Spanish
2.
ORCHESTRA
INTRODUCTION ORCHESTRA (Grades 6th to 8th)
Beginning Strings is a beginning orchestra class, in which students will have the
opportunity to learn how to play violin, viola, cello, or bass. The class is the foundation
of a three-year program that students will have the opportunity to continue in seventh
and eighth grade. Which instrument a student is assigned to is a joint decision between
student and teacher, depending on the instrumentation of the class. Before playing
begins, all students will learn about the families of instruments and basic musical
concepts. Throughout the year, in addition to learning how to play their instrument,
students will learn to read and write notes and rhythms, to critically evaluate musical
performances, and to conduct themselves professionally on stage. The class will
culminate in an evening concert each semester, showcasing the student’s mastery of
first year strings repertoire and performance practices. This class is also appropriate for
incoming 6th graders that have private lesson experience, as they will receive more
advanced instruction tailored to their skill level.
BEGINNING ORCHESTRA (7TH GRADE ONLY)
This class is the second level course in the three-year strings program at Walter Reed.
This year will be a more intensive step forward from beginning strings, as we will
perform more comprehensive and technically advanced repertoire. Performances
include four evening concerts and a local instructional festival.
Prerequisites: beginning strings, or at least 1 year of private lessons, or by audition.
SENIOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (8TH GRADE ONLY)
This class is the highest-level course in the three-year strings program at Walter Reed.
This class is an intensive step forward from seventh grade, as the students will perform
more comprehensive and technically challenging repertoire. Students must uphold
excellent behavior and performance standards in order to remain in this advanced class.
Performances include 4 evening concerts, one local district instructional festival and a
four-day overnight trip to San Francisco. Prerequisites: 7th grade string orchestra, or at
least two years of private lessons, or by audition.
BEGINNING JAZZ BAND (7TH GRADE ONLY)2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
This is the first year class in our two year jazz program. Students will learn first year jazz
big band repertoire. Students will learn how to improvise on basic chord progressions.
This class participates in jazz festivals, as well as five school concerts.
Prerequisites: Must be concurrently enrolled in either String Orchestra/Concert Band
and zero period PE. By audition only. This class is primarily for students in 7th grade.
SENIOR BAND (8TH GRADE ONLY)
This is the second year class in our two year jazz program. Students will learn second
year advanced jazz big band repertoire. Students will learn how to improvise on more
advanced chord progressions. This class participates in multiple jazz festivals, as well as
five school concerts.
Prerequisites: Must be concurrently enrolled in either Chamber Orchestra/Wind
Ensemble and zero period PE. By audition only. This class is primarily for students in
8th grade.
Robotics (6th Grade)
Students in the Robotics enrichment course will learn how to design, construct, and
program an autonomous robot. The course will be using the VEX IQ curriculum. As
time allows, other STEAM concepts will be explored. (STEAM = Science + Technology +
Engineering + Arts + Math)
SERVICE (8th Grade Only)
LIBRARY SERVICE
Students in Library Service will learn how to run a library. They learn the Dewey Decimal
System, how to shelve books properly, check books in and out, and keep the library
clean. Library service students will help other students how to find books, access the
databases, use Noodle Tools, and change their passwords. Library service students also
create bulletin boards, recommend books, and create displays to encourage reading.
Interested students need to be willing to help everyone who comes into the library and
have good work habits and people skills.
OFFICE SERVICE
Students will provide service in school offices. They will assist office personnel by notifying
students who are summoned to an office, introducing new students to the campus, filing and
any other job that arises. Students will learn responsibilities and how to work independently
and also as a team.
STEAM ENRICHMENT (Grade 6th to 8th)2021-2022 Walter Reed Middle School
Enrichment Courses (Tentative)
Students in the STEAM enrichment course will utilize the engineering design process in a
collaborative setting to solve real world problems and incorporate various components
of math, science, technology and art. Throughout each lesson, creativity,
communication, and collaboration will be critically important.
Yearbook (7th and 8th Grade Only)
Students on the yearbook staff will create the yearbook for that school year. As a staff
member, you will be interviewing students and faculty for all sections of the
yearbook. You will be writing copy, and captions. You will be responsible for photo
selection for each layout you are assigned. You may be asked to take pictures at events,
and assist editors with their duties. You will also help market and sell your creation.
This class is open only to 7th and 8th graders who have completed the application and
submitted a teacher recommendation, for more info go to reeds.com to view the
posted application.You can also read
