Middle School is a time to explore lots of different interests. Below are the current Middle School Electives available this year.
Art
In this course, students will:
- Learn and apply the elements of art and principles of design.
- Review various art media techniques.
- Recognize and analyze nature, animals, people, places, and objects while applying appropriate responses in a specific art vocabulary.
- Identify works of art with an understanding of significance.
- Develop an informed critical and aesthetic response to visual art.
Manipulatives/Kits: Art Kit
In this course, students will:
- Discuss differences between periods of art over time.
- Identify common forms of prehistoric art, including painting, sculpture, etc.
- Understand the influence of earlier art on later artists.
- Learn about the development of artistic traditions in Western culture.
- Understand the philosophical influences on the Renaissance and their impact on art.
- Explore, develop and be challenged in the exploration of the fundamentals of art, critical theory and art history
- Learn how artists have used elements of art and principles in the creation of art for centuries.
Topics covered in History of Art:
- Ancient Art
- Medieval Art and the Renaissance
- Baroque and Rococo
- Modern and post-modern
- Contemporary art
1 semester | Grade 8
Students will learn the key aspects of design, and demonstrate their knowledge of basic principles. This course will prepare students to use a broad range of technology programs like Paint.net, GIMP, and Adobe Photoshop. Students will understand how to identify, analyze and create various forms of graphic art.
Topics covered in Art in the Digital Age:
- Graphic Design Introduction
- History of Design
- Visual Communication
- Manipulating images
- Aesthetics: Color, Shape, Space, Balance, etc.
- Pop Art
- Image and Logo Design (Andy Warhol)
- Design Found in Visual Culture
- Messages in Art
- Typography (Paul Rand)
- Graphic Artists (David Carson, Saul Bass, Milton Glaser)
Music
Topics covered in Survey of Music:
- Reading music
- Musical expression
- History of music
- The voice
- Orchestra instruments
- Programmatic music
1 semester
Students will dig deep into other countries musical traditions, instruments and cultures. Emphasis is placed on developing responsible and critical listeners of various musical styles.
In this course, students will explore North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America.
1 semester | Grades 7-8
Prerequisite: Survey of Music.
Students will learn the basics of songwriting through the use of music technology. The course will culminate with the creation of a final project in which students will compose and perform an original song.
Topics covered in Songwriting:
- Inspiration and creativity
- Styles of music
- Rhythm
- Melody
- Harmony
- Lyrics
- Form
- Expression
- Recording
- Composing in Noteflight
Health, Safety and PE
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of team sports. Along with game-play instruction, students will understand the connection between team sports and personal wellness. In addition, students will be responsible for exploring and teaching a skill from a sport of their choice. This course meets the PDE requirement for 6th grade physical education.
Topics covered in Study of Team Sports include the following for a variety of sports:
• History
• Objective
• Playing area
• Rules and Regulations
• Terminology
• Coaching
• Player Positions
• Equipment
• Strategy, Tactics, and Skills
This course is designed to develop the student’s awareness of, and responsibility for, his/her own personal fitness. Students will explore fitness opportunities and resources that are both geographically accessible and online. Additionally, Moveit Mondays will give students the opportunity to practice physical activity.
Topics covered in Personal Fitness include:
• Body Systems (Circulatory, Respiratory, Skeletal, Muscular)
• Personal Fitness Testing
• Fitness Concepts, Principles, and Training
• Fitness Safety and Injury Prevention
• Fitness Resources
• Fitness for a lifetime
This course is designed to assist students in obtaining accurate information, developing lifelong positive attitudes and behaviors, and making wise decisions related to their personal health. Students will also have the opportunity to explore careers in health.
Topics covered in Health include:
• Understanding Your Wellness
• Body Systems (Reproductive, Endocrine, Digestive, Urinary, Lymphatic, Nervous)
• Nutrition
• First Aid and Safety
• Diseases and Disorders
World Languages
Spanish
1 semester | Grade 6
In this course, students will:
- Be introduced to the Spanish sound system and develop listening, speaking, writing and reading skills through various online lessons.
- Explore a variety of topics such as greetings, numbers, months, weather, family, food and more.
- Learn to appreciate the global Spanish speaking world and how other cultures compare to their own.
Students will be expected to record their voice. Students must be enrolled in PALCS for at least one full semester prior to taking Intro to Spanish. This course is designed for middle school students only. Students must maintain a C in their core courses to remain in this course.
In this course, students will:
- Be introduced to the Spanish sound system, and develop listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills through
online lessons. - Explore a variety of topics such as greetings, numbers, months, weather, family, and food.
- Begin to practice grammar concepts in greater detail through our online lessons.
Students will be expected to record their voices. Students must maintain a C in their core classes to remain in this course
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Middle School Spanish A or teacher recommendation.
Middle School Spanish B is a continuation of Middle School Spanish A.
In this course, students will:
• Continue to look at the mechanics of the Spanish language.
• Focus on topics such as school, food, health, clothing, and shopping.
• Acquire the necessary grammar skills and concepts to improve their ability to listen, read, write, and speak in the target language.
Students will be expected to record their voices. Students who successfully pass Middle School Spanish B and earn an 80% or
higher on the entrance exam will earn the High School Spanish 1 credit and proceed to High School Spanish 2. Students who
pass below 80% may proceed to High School Spanish 1.
French
1 semester | Grade 6
In this course, students will:
- Be introduced to the French sound system.
- Have an opportunity to use the language in both live virtual lessons and voice recordings.
- Discover how to express who they are, what they like and where they are from through engagement in playful activities.
- Develop listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills through various online lessons, projects, and stories in French.
- Make voice recordings for submission, engage in natural exchanges with peers and construct authentic conversations.
Introduction to French is recommended for 6th grade students who have never studied a foreign language.
This is an introductory level French class. Students can expect 2-4 lessons per week and should plan to spend approximately 2 hours per week on the assignments. Students will learn how to record their voice and will be expected to do frequent recordings. Students can expect 3 lessons per week.
In this course, students will:
- Learn basic structures and vocabulary to describe themselves and others.
- Learn about French culture and the country of France.
- Explore about areas in the world where French is spoken.
Students successfully completing Middle School French A & B will receive one high school credit in Foreign Language.
Textbook:
McDougal Littell: Discovering French Nouveau Bleu 1a Premiere Partie
Prerequisite: Middle School French A or teacher recommendation.
Middle School French B is a continuation of Middle School French A. Students can expect 3 lessons per week. Students will make voice recordings.
In this course, students will:
- Build upon structures taught in French Middle A.
- Learn basic grammar concepts such as conjugating verbs.
- Be able to express what actions they perform and what actions other people perform.
- Create authentic projects and interact with their peers.
Students successfully completing Middle School French A & B will receive one high school credit in foreign language.
Textbook:
McDougal Littell: Discovering French Nouveau Bleu 1
Other
Full Year
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation; students must maintain a C in their core classes to remain in this course.
The Rosetta Stone program allows students to select a foreign language to study through use of self-paced Rosetta Stone software. There are many languages available upon request and interest. Please see rosettastone.com for a list of all available languages.
Students selecting Rosetta Stone German or Rosetta Stone Japanese may receive additional assistance or content from PALCS teachers.
The Rosetta Stone program has limited availability and continued enrollment in the program requires active student participation.
Technology
In Technology Exploration I, students explore a variety of technological topics based on the PA Standards for Technology Education. The course begins by looking at the advancement in innovations and invention from the stone-age to the modern era. Next, students learn about processes such as the engineering design process, communications, energy and power, and constructing structures. Finally, students become designers and problem solvers while they learn to use SketchUp 3D modeling software. Using this program, students have the opportunity to create his/her own three-dimensional models and designs such as towers and houses. The class also discusses leadership by learning about key contributors to the field of technology and the positive impact that their advancements had on society.
Prerequisite: Technology Exploration I.
In this course, students will learn about the evolution of automation, robotics, and manufacturing and its impact on the modern world. Students will learn about biotechnology and its influences on the medical and agricultural fields. Additionally, students study more advanced design techniques using SketchUp 3D modeling software. This provides them with the opportunity to create realistic models and problem-solve. Students will also have a chance to use Homestyler to create 2D and 3D drawings and designs. The class also discusses various career and areas of study related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Computer Science
The focus of this course will be the practical uses of the Google Drive suite of products, including Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets. Students will produce documents and presentations that are useful in education and business settings, while increasing their organizational skills through the use of multiple step instructions for planning and production of projects. The course will also investigate the fundamentals of how computers function and the importance of responsible digital citizenship as current citizens and future leaders. A brief introduction of computer programming languages will round out the course and allow students to decide on future participation in computer science courses in the Middle School and High School levels.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Computer Science.
Following an exploration of the fundamentals of the Internet and Internet browsers, this advanced elective course will provide students with an opportunity to design and produce web pages utilizing basic Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). HTML tags and code that allow students to add backgrounds, text, graphics, images, lists, links, and tables to a web page will be taught through demonstration and practice culminating with the production of a final webpage on a topic of their choice. Students will learn the importance of attention to detail and organization in this fun and challenging course.
Business
Middle School students are moving into an advanced world that will require the ability to communicate, make informed decisions, and problem solve effectively. This course will cover verbal, written, and electronic communication and the importance of using proper etiquette in social situations, including greetings, dress code, and behavior expectations. Problem solving through brainstorming techniques and an ability to understand the big picture beyond yourself will also be covered as well as techniques for making informed, educated decisions as part of a team and from a leadership role.
Career opportunities abound in the hospitality, tourism, and recreation industry. In this course, we examine travel and tourism, the lodging industry, culinary arts and restaurants, event planning, recreation, and theme park entertainment and meeting and exceeding customer service. You will be using and advancing personal, business, and interpersonal communication skills as well as thinking and problem-solving
skills in this course.