Click for Google map for directions to 3195 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA 94062
|
Click to call 650.851.1571
Upper School Electives
2020-21 School Year
Unfortunately, elective courses at Woodside School have been canceled until further notice.
Unfortunately, elective courses at Woodside School have been canceled until further notice.
Elective/Enrichment ClassesTop of Page
Middle School Enrichment classes are interest-based seminars. Most are graded on a pass/no pass basis; however, Yearbook, Band, and Art will be given letter grades. These classes require students to produce work both in and out of the classroom. In addition, students must work together to make the classes successful. Elective grades are calculated into the grade point average; however, they are not calculated into the 8th grade Academic Award.
Placement decisions in some classes are made on a variety of criteria that include student interest as well as performance in classes throughout the year. The Woodside Middle School teachers, in consultation with the administration, determine placement of all rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
Students will be directed based on the following:
● Be in good academic standing and maintain at least a C average each trimester in all core academic courses including math, language arts, science, social studies, WorldLanguage, physical education art and music.
● Be mature, self-directed, and show high levels of motivation, responsibility and reliability by maintaining a C average in all their core academic courses.
● Students who are not in good academic standing and receive a grade below a C will be assigned to courses that will support improved academic achievement such as study skills. If a student’s academic performance improves by the end of the trimester, the student may be able to select from available electives.
● In the event that a student’s grades deteriorate during the course of the year, the student will be removed from their electives and placed in the appropriate support classes.
Enrichment offerings vary over the course of the school year and from trimester to trimester.
8th Period Elective/Enrichment ClassesTop of Page
● Art Elective (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Band (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Design (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Web Design - (6,7,8 - letter grade)
● Yearbook (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Body Science (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Community Service (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Discourse on Dining (6,7,8 - P/NP)
● Lego Robotics – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Mock Trial – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Modern Readers – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Mystery – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Photography – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Self Defense Training (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Strength and Conditioning (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Study Skills (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Wrestling (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● zSpace (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Operetta (mandatory for all 8th grade students during 3rd trimester – P/NP)
● Band (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Design (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Web Design - (6,7,8 - letter grade)
● Yearbook (6,7,8 – letter grade)
● Body Science (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Community Service (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Discourse on Dining (6,7,8 - P/NP)
● Lego Robotics – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Mock Trial – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Modern Readers – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Mystery – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Photography – (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Self Defense Training (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Strength and Conditioning (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Study Skills (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Wrestling (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● zSpace (6,7,8 – P/NP)
● Operetta (mandatory for all 8th grade students during 3rd trimester – P/NP)
Zero Period/Lunch Time OfferingsTop of Page
● Student Council
● Music - Chamber Singers
● Music - Showstoppers
● Music - Jazz Band (Must Be in Band Elective to Participate)
● Music - Chamber Singers
● Music - Showstoppers
● Music - Jazz Band (Must Be in Band Elective to Participate)
Graded ElectivesTop of Page
Art Elective (Trimester long - letter grade)
Students will work on advanced art projects in a mentored, project-based curriculum. This course will emphasize creative exploration and development. Students will set art goals and work independently to show progress towards their goals. Students will work in two and three-dimensional forms, and experiment with diverse media.
Band (Year long - letter grade)
Students will have an opportunity to play a variety of music that ranges in time period and style. As we rehearse the music, we will build on general musical skills, technique specific to instruments and individuals, and work together as members of a team to create a final musical product that they will perform for the school community. 7th and 8th grade students who want to be in Jazz Band are required to be in this elective.
Students will have an opportunity to play a variety of music that ranges in time period and style. As we rehearse the music, we will build on general musical skills, technique specific to instruments and individuals, and work together as members of a team to create a final musical product that they will perform for the school community. 7th and 8th grade students who want to be in Jazz Band are required to be in this elective.
Design (Trimester long - letter grade)
Course will allow all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to complete an integrated Design project over the course of the trimester. Students will receive consistent and formal Design Thinking instruction throughout the trimester that allows for projects that prepare students for the eventual 8th grade Exit Project. This is an optional elective, and no longer required.
Course will allow all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to complete an integrated Design project over the course of the trimester. Students will receive consistent and formal Design Thinking instruction throughout the trimester that allows for projects that prepare students for the eventual 8th grade Exit Project. This is an optional elective, and no longer required.
Web Design 1 (Trimester long - letter grade)
This class will introduce students to the skills needed to build a web page/site. Students will be given a basic introduction to HTML and CSS, Google Map APIs, forms, video, developer tools, and DOM manipulation. We will also cover client-side programming, variables, arrays, functions, and event handling. Upon completion of this class, students will leave with a complete website.
Graded - Homework
Yearbook (Two trimesters - letter grade)
Join a team of dedicated students to design, create, and publish our school yearbook. We start with 88 blank pages, and by the end of the 2nd trimester, we will have a complete book highlighting the school year. If you are a student who likes a challenge, is responsible and able to meet deadlines, understands the importance of a quality product, and are willing to put in some extra time, then this elective might be for you.
A few things to know:
● You will need to attend one lunch meeting per week
● Some work will need to be done outside of class hours
Pass/No-Pass ElectivesTop of Page
Body Science (Trimester long - P/NP)
This course will allow students to learn about the different systems of the body. Whether it be through zSpace, guest speakers, dissections, or engaging projects, we’ll take an in-depth look at the intricacies of our body in a fun, comprehensive format.
This course will allow students to learn about the different systems of the body. Whether it be through zSpace, guest speakers, dissections, or engaging projects, we’ll take an in-depth look at the intricacies of our body in a fun, comprehensive format.
Community Service (Trimester long - P/NP)
Students will be given the opportunity to provide service within our school in the form of working in the classrooms, tutoring younger students, reading aloud to preschoolers, working as a teacher assistant, and helping fulfill any need that arises on campus. In addition, students will be highly involved in organizing any major service projects we do like Rise Against Hunger. Students will assist as needed at The Village Hub and also do in-house projects for organizations like My New Red Shoes and Meals on Wheels.
Students will be given the opportunity to provide service within our school in the form of working in the classrooms, tutoring younger students, reading aloud to preschoolers, working as a teacher assistant, and helping fulfill any need that arises on campus. In addition, students will be highly involved in organizing any major service projects we do like Rise Against Hunger. Students will assist as needed at The Village Hub and also do in-house projects for organizations like My New Red Shoes and Meals on Wheels.
Discourse on Dining (Trimester long - P/NP)
Do you love all things related to food? Join us on a trimester long journey into food, cooking and eating. We will learn proper knife skills, different cooking techniques, and methods of preserving food like making jams and pickles. Of course, we will get to eat our creations as well as do some reading about food and cooking.
Do you love all things related to food? Join us on a trimester long journey into food, cooking and eating. We will learn proper knife skills, different cooking techniques, and methods of preserving food like making jams and pickles. Of course, we will get to eat our creations as well as do some reading about food and cooking.
|
Lego Robotics (Trimester long - Letter grade)
Take on a First Lego League challenge in this Middle School elective. You will design, build, and program an autonomous robot to complete a handful of challenges. Near the end of the trimester, your bot will go up against other bots in a mini-FLL challenge. Students repeating this elective will be given a different set of challenges. Go to http://firstlegoleague.org for more information on Lego Robotics or search First Lego League on YouTube to see what you will do in this elective. No programming or Lego experience required.
|
Mock Trial (Trimester long - P/NP)
As his lawyer, how would you defend the BIG, BAD, WOLF? This course will allow students to learn about the judicial branch through mock court proceedings. Students will learn how to prepare a case for court, question witnesses, and use critical thinking skills to prepare for trial. Students will understand how a person's actions affect their credibility, focus on different perspectives, and practice public speaking, critical thinking, and the art of forming a persuasive, cohesive argument.
As his lawyer, how would you defend the BIG, BAD, WOLF? This course will allow students to learn about the judicial branch through mock court proceedings. Students will learn how to prepare a case for court, question witnesses, and use critical thinking skills to prepare for trial. Students will understand how a person's actions affect their credibility, focus on different perspectives, and practice public speaking, critical thinking, and the art of forming a persuasive, cohesive argument.
Modern Readers (Trimester long - P/NP)
If you wish you had more time to read books – just for fun – this is the elective for you! The class format will include one period a week for reading and one period a week of activity. In Modern Readers, we will share about the books we are reading in fun and engaging ways including Instagram pages, movie trailers, blog posts and more!
If you wish you had more time to read books – just for fun – this is the elective for you! The class format will include one period a week for reading and one period a week of activity. In Modern Readers, we will share about the books we are reading in fun and engaging ways including Instagram pages, movie trailers, blog posts and more!
Operetta (All 8th grade students - Trimester 3)
8th grade students will participate in one of the most enjoyable Woodside School traditions, the annual Operetta. Each spring, the Operetta stars the entire 8th grade. Each year’s musical production is a lovely farewell from the 8th grade to the entire school. 8th grade students will be enrolled in Operetta for all of their elective classes during the 3 rd trimester.
8th grade students will participate in one of the most enjoyable Woodside School traditions, the annual Operetta. Each spring, the Operetta stars the entire 8th grade. Each year’s musical production is a lovely farewell from the 8th grade to the entire school. 8th grade students will be enrolled in Operetta for all of their elective classes during the 3 rd trimester.
Photography (Trimester long - P/NP)
This digital photography elective is designed to highlight the innate creativity of the students, build their technical skills, and enhance their understanding of the power of photography to communicate their perspectives of the world. Students will study composition and stylistic elements within multiple genres of photography. Students will practice skills associated with Exposure, Depth of Field, and Focus. Students will research accomplished photographers for inspiration and create a photography portfolio.
This digital photography elective is designed to highlight the innate creativity of the students, build their technical skills, and enhance their understanding of the power of photography to communicate their perspectives of the world. Students will study composition and stylistic elements within multiple genres of photography. Students will practice skills associated with Exposure, Depth of Field, and Focus. Students will research accomplished photographers for inspiration and create a photography portfolio.
Self Defense (Trimester long - P/NP)
The purpose of this class is to develop basic self-defense skill development as well as awareness and avoidance techniques. This course focuses on skill improvement and overall knowledge in personal safety. Introducing the basics of self-defense and the practical applications, this course focuses on coordination, balance, agility, strength, and endurance. The course will cover both grappling and striking martial arts in a fun, safe environment.
The purpose of this class is to develop basic self-defense skill development as well as awareness and avoidance techniques. This course focuses on skill improvement and overall knowledge in personal safety. Introducing the basics of self-defense and the practical applications, this course focuses on coordination, balance, agility, strength, and endurance. The course will cover both grappling and striking martial arts in a fun, safe environment.
Strength and Conditioning (Trimester long - P/NP)
This course is designed for those students interested in developing strength for advanced sports skills. Students will engage in resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility exercises. Strength and sport conditioning is athletic training aimed at greater strength, power, speed, agility, coordination, and balance. You will learn general exercise principles, nutrition, and sport specific science, along with practical advanced training in resistance training, agility, plyometrics, balance, and sprint training for athletes.
This course is designed for those students interested in developing strength for advanced sports skills. Students will engage in resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility exercises. Strength and sport conditioning is athletic training aimed at greater strength, power, speed, agility, coordination, and balance. You will learn general exercise principles, nutrition, and sport specific science, along with practical advanced training in resistance training, agility, plyometrics, balance, and sprint training for athletes.
Study Skills (Trimester long - P/NP)
This course offers students the opportunity to build their capacity to study independently through goal-setting, academic support, and homework completion in a quiet study environment. Students will build advocacy skills that will help set the foundation that is needed before the next level of schooling. This class is strongly recommended for Middle School students who would like academic support or additional time to complete homework assignments. Class size will be limited, and the staff will make placements.
This course offers students the opportunity to build their capacity to study independently through goal-setting, academic support, and homework completion in a quiet study environment. Students will build advocacy skills that will help set the foundation that is needed before the next level of schooling. This class is strongly recommended for Middle School students who would like academic support or additional time to complete homework assignments. Class size will be limited, and the staff will make placements.
Wrestling (Trimester long - P/NP)
Wrestling develops discipline, focus, and personal responsibility while teaching the physical demands of mind and body. Wrestling class teaches the basic grappling movements of the first Olympic sport. This class includes learning basic takedowns, escapes, and reversals, in addition to strategy and the point system. Sport specific drills will be performed and practiced to learn and develop the art of grappling.
Wrestling develops discipline, focus, and personal responsibility while teaching the physical demands of mind and body. Wrestling class teaches the basic grappling movements of the first Olympic sport. This class includes learning basic takedowns, escapes, and reversals, in addition to strategy and the point system. Sport specific drills will be performed and practiced to learn and develop the art of grappling.
zSpace (Trimester long - P/NP)
This course will allow students the opportunity to explore different aspects of our virtual reality devices. We’ll work on the logistics of how to best use this technology, while also learning about a multitude of interests; both science-related and with other subjects in mind.
This course will allow students the opportunity to explore different aspects of our virtual reality devices. We’ll work on the logistics of how to best use this technology, while also learning about a multitude of interests; both science-related and with other subjects in mind.