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Electives (2007-2008)
Technology
Typing/Microsoft Applications: Students will learn touch-typing, word processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (Excel), presentations (PowerPoint), Internet research skills, and how to properly format an MLA (Modern Language Association) report. These skills are taught using traditional methods with integration of games and simulations. This class meets the high school graduation requirement.
3D Animation: Are you creative? Are you detail oriented? Do you like a challenge? If so, then this is the class for you. Students will learn how to use the professional software, Maya Unlimited, to create 3D objects, characters and scenes. They will then learn how to animate them. It is recommended that students who wish to take this class be proficient in computers.
Video Journalism: This class produces the Junior High News Network's daily news program that is broadcast to all of the TVs on JH campus. The students also learn how to use video and television studio equipment and how to capture and edit video clips. They have the opportunity to act as "on-the-air talent" and perform behind-the-scenes jobs (producer, director, camera operator, and the many other technical jobs). Along with the news show, the students create special video news reports throughout the year.
DVD Yearbook: This class will create the Valley Christian Junior High DVD yearbook using professional video cameras, Final Cut Pro and DVD Pro. The students will learn all aspects of videography and computer video editing. Along with the DVD yearbook, students will do several video projects throughout the year including a mini documentary and a "fantasy" video using green screen techniques. We are looking for students who like to be involved in school activities and who are available to videotape during school as well as after school. Students must be available to film after school as needed.
Web Page Design: Students will learn how to create web pages using Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, PHP4, HTML and Javascript. This class will focus on the technical aspects of web creation as well as developing an understanding of good design. Students will design, create and maintain the Valley Christian Junior High Students' website at http://jh.valleychristian.net
Art/Industrial Art
Art I: Students will explore drawing, painting, printmaking, calligraphy and more through a variety of mediums. We will look at the work of artists from the past and develop our own personal style.
Clay Projects: Students will create their own pinch pots, coil pots and slab pots. If you are creative and like getting your hands messy, this class is for you. Projects include urns, bowls, houses, boxes and whistles.
Creative Crafts & Leathercraft: Two art classes in one! We will spend one semester in craft projects that include stamping, origami, fimo clay, juggling bags and more. The second half of the year we will learn the craft of leather tooling, stamping, coloring and carving. Projects will include key holders, coin purses, bookmarks, wallets, belts and more.
Sewing/Quilting 1: This course is designed for beginning students. Students will be introduced to the sewing machine in order to create projects. Example projects include: a pillowcase, flannel pants, hooded sweatshirt, stuffed animal, fence rail quilt, crazy quilt and more. Students are motivated to love the craft rather than achieving perfection. No prior knowledge of sewing is necessary.
Sewing/Quilting 2/3: This course is for the student who has completed Sewing/Quilting 1 and would like to advance their skills. Examples of projects include: gym bag, purse, quilt of your choice, stuffed animal of your choice and more. Prerequisite: Sewing/Quilting 1 or teacher approval.
Instrumental Music
Alpha Band: This class is for students who wish to learn how to play a new musical instrument. Students are invited to enroll in this class to learn flute, clarinet, baritone horn, tuba, French horn, oboe, bassoon, trombone, trumpet, or saxophone.
Cadet Band: This class is for developing musicians in their second and third year of playing. Music reading, theory, and other performance skills are developed. The instruments in this group are flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, baritone, trombone, tuba and percussion. Students perform at school functions, music festivals and other outside events.
Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Mr. Jeff Wilson for an audition at jwilson@valleychristian.net.
Advanced Band: The Concert Band is one of VCJH's top performing groups. The Concert Band is performance based and students will develop their technical and musical skills accordingly. The instruments in this group are flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, baritone, trombone, tuba and percussion. Students perform at school functions, music festivals and other outside events. Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Mr. Jeff Wilson for an audition at jwilson@valleychristian.net.
Studio Band: This ensemble develops performance skills in jazz, world beat and contemporary music styles. The award-winning VCJH Studio Band performs at festivals, concerts and school functions. Student musicians will work on improvisation skills and develop a practical knowledge of modern playing styles. The instruments in this group are trombone, bass, trumpet, guitar, saxophone, drums, piano, and flute. Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Mrs. Cindy Adams for an audition at cadams@valleychristian.net. Concurrent enrollment in Advanced Concert Band and Zero Period PE is required.
Cadet Strings: This class is for developing musicians with a minimum of 6 months instruction on the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Emphasis is given to body balance and posture, ease of playing, sight reading more advanced rhythms, playing in III (violin, viola) and IV (cello) positions, shifting, vibrato and bow articulations. A student entering Cadet Strings should be able to sight read simple rhythms and notes. Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Mrs. Vicki Wagner for an audition at vwagner@valleychristian.net.
Advanced Strings: This class is designed for students who are able to shift easily into III and IV positions, who sight read in keys with 1-3 sharps and 1-3 flats, and who understand and can figure out how to count rhythms. Students in this class will perform frequently and will learn many pieces. They will be part of "Ensemble Valley Christian", the school's premier performing string group. Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Mrs. Vicki Wagner for an audition at vwagner@valleychristian.net.
Percussion Ensemble: Percussion Ensemble will focus on all aspects of percussion and drumming including snare drum, timpani, mallet keyboards, marching, ethnic drums and standard percussion ensemble literature. Students in Percussion Ensemble will also perform with the Alpha or Cadet Bands.
Performing Arts
Drama I: This class is for all students who have a desire to learn about theatre arts and gain basic acting skills. Character development, stage direction, and stage movement are a few of the units covered throughout the year. This is a fun class filled with group improvisations and creative learning. All students will be given the opportunity to audition for the spring drama production. Additional after school rehearsals will be required prior to performances. This class is a prerequisite to Drama II.
Drama II: Drama II is for those students who have already taken Drama I. This class is for serious drama students who desire to gain more experience and knowledge through performing. All students in this class will be working on challenging scripts to perform for class and for chapel. All Drama II students will perform in the fall theatrical production. A minimum of one week of after school rehearsals and one Saturday rehearsal are required prior to the performances. Drama II students will be given an opportunity to audition for the spring musical. Prerequisite: Drama I. The application necessary for this class may be picked up in the junior high office, please fill it out and return it with your elective request sheet. Placement in this class is by teacher approval.
Quest Choir: This class is for students who desire to learn proper vocal technique, beginning music theory, harmonizing, and love to sing! It is the place to improve your voice, learn to sight read and sing in parts. Some additional rehearsals are required throughout the year prior to the concerts. This class will help prepare you for the high school music program upon graduation. All choir students will perform in the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, and additional performances as scheduled by the director.
Jazz Dance I: This class is for students who want to learn the basics of Jazz dance and then have opportunities to perform what they learn. Students will develop muscle tone, flexibility and alignment for beginning Jazz technique. The general goal and purpose of this course is to build fellowship and teach students to work together as a team.
Showchoir: This class is for students who love to sing and dance. Students will attend dance class and choir class. They will then combine the choreography they have learned in dance with the songs they have learned in choir. Their performances will be made up of those combined songs and dances. Some additional rehearsals will be required throughout the year. All students will perform in the Christmas and spring concerts. Students enrolled in this class will not take P.E., so they may choose an additional elective. Final placement for this group will be by audition or placement by the director. Contact Francine Mauro at fmauro@valleychristian.net to set up an audition time.
Language
Spanish 1A: This course offers students a basic introduction to the Spanish language. Students learn essential vocabulary (greetings, numbers, colors, the names of many everyday objects, etc.), proper pronunciation, and the grammar necessary for understanding and using basic Spanish. The course provides instruction and practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Spanish. Class activities include a variety of fun games, discussions, skits, and crafts designed to help students learn to communicate effectively in a new language. Students who successfully complete both 1A and 1B will be able to enter Spanish 2 at Valley Christian High School.
Honors Spanish 1 (Accelerated Course): This course allows ambitious students to complete a full year of high school-level Spanish study during one year. Students need no prior knowledge of the language in order to take Honors Spanish 1, but should be prepared for a more academically challenging course than Spanish 1A or 1B. As with the other Spanish electives, we will participate in games, skits, projects, and conversations, but we will move through the same material at an accelerated pace. Students can expect about the same amount of homework and study time as a typical junior high academic class. The advantage to Honors Spanish 1 is that all those who successfully complete the course may enter Spanish 2 at Valley Christian High School after a single year of study in junior high.
Latin: (Prima Latina, Book 1 and 2 Memoria Press) The goal of the Latin class is to bring students to an understanding and appreciation of the language in a relaxed elective format. This course is a yearlong introduction to Latin, including its vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. Students learn to decline nouns, conjugate verbs, and other skills necessary to read and write simple Latin. They also have the opportunity to read short quotations and excerpts from many classical and medieval writers, in the original language. The course emphasizes the relationship between English vocabulary and Latin, as well as includes some study of Roman customs and ideas.
Others
Drill Team: This class is for girls who have been previously chosen to be on the 2008-2009 Drill Team.
Enrollment in class is by previous audition and placement by the director, only.
Study Skills: This program will give students the strategies they need to improve their ability to organize, work, prepare for projects, reports, speeches, and tests. This class will show students how to work effectively on their own and use time management skills by utilizing life skill strategies.
Math Lab: This class is open to all math students for extra help. Students can receive help with their math homework and then work on other homework.
Yearbook: Come and join one of the most fun, hardest working groups of students on the campus. We will create a yearbook through design principles, publishing techniques and awesome digital photography. The application necessary for this class may be picked up in the junior high office. Please fill it out and return it with your elective request sheet. Placement in this class is by teacher approval.
Leadership: This class is designed to teach leadership through service, effective leading skills, and proper motivations for leading. This class is open to all grade levels. The application necessary for this class may be picked up in the junior high office. It includes obtaining a recommendation from your current Bible teacher. Please fill out the application and return it with your elective request sheet. Placement in this class is by teacher approval.
Teacher Assistant/Office Aide: (TA) Students having Teacher Assistant/Office Aide as their elective will be assigned to a teacher or the office during the student's elective period. Teacher assistants aide the staff in any work deemed necessary. This course requires prior written approval from the teacher or staff member for whom you would like to TA. Pick up the application form in the junior high office. Please submit that letter with your elective request sheet. This elective is open to 7 th and 8 th graders only.
Zero Period Elective
PE: (Instrumental Music Students only) Students wishing to take an elective in addition to their instrumental music elective may choose to take PE during the "zero period". (See the elective instructions.) This class meets on Tuesday and Thursday each week from 7:20 am to 8:15 am.
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