Semester Long Electives
Book Club — Join your classmates to read, chat, and connect over great stories.. Whether you are a bookworm or just getting into reading, everyone is welcome!
Geography — Learn about location in both the Eastern and Western Hemisphere - will include map skills, a brief look at countries histories, economy, language, and population. Also, a fun project of planning and creating your own country will be part of this class.
Global Adventures — Explores a variety of countries around the world. Learn about each country’s food, customs, and culture. Includes cooking, group presentations, and will culminate with planning a vacation to another country.
Medical Detectives — Play the role of real-life medical detectives. Collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. Solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, dissect a sheep brain, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
Study Skills — Learn organizational strategies and ways to study more efficiently. Focus will be on being prepared and staying on task. Students will also have guided time to complete homework during this hour.
Middle School Sports Performance — Designed to improve athletic performance through sport-specific skills training, strength and explosive workouts and conditioning. Training is also designed to improve stability, range of motion and injury prevention.
Middle School Coding — Introduces students to the fundamentals of computer programming using the CodeHS learning platform. Students will learn basic coding concepts such as sequences, loops, conditionals, variables, and problem-solving strategies while creating interactive programs and games. Through hands-on activities and guided lessons, students develop computational thinking skills and learn how software and technology work in everyday life.
3-D Art (sculpture) — Focuses on creating artwork with height, width, and depth, moving beyond flat, 2D surfaces to explore physical form and space. Students learn to manipulate various materials (clay, paper, wire, ) to create sculptures, installations, or 3D models while studying design principles like balance and rhythm. Students will have the opportunity to see themselves in the image of the Creator as they learn to use their creative skills to visually communicate as a participant in their culture.
2-D Art — The 2D Art course for junior high students introduces foundational techniques in drawing, painting, and printing, focusing on the elements of art and principles of design. Students explore various media—such as pencil, watercolor, and mixed media—to create expressive, original artwork while developing skills in composition, perspective, and color theory. Students will have the opportunity to see themselves in the image of the Creator as they learn to use their creative skills to visually communicate as a participant in their culture.
Year Long Electives
Spanish I — This full year elective class will count as high school credit. Note that in order to meet high school graduation requirements, two years of foreign language must be completed during grade 9 - 12. Students taking Spanish I in 8th grade will still be required to take Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 in high school.
The first year concentrates on learning basic vocabulary, correct pronunciation and the application of simple grammar to communicate at a beginning level in the contexts of home, church, school, store, restaurant, etc. The locations of Spanish speaking countries and cultural traditions are taught through beginning reader novels. Open to Grade 8
Robotics — In this year-long course, students will explore robotics using the VEX IQ robotics program. All VEX IQ STEM Labs contain activities that are structured around iterative, engineering processes, real-world applications and opportunities for students to build teamwork and collaboration skills. STEM Labs provide students with hands-on, minds-on engagements that encourages students to design creative solutions and innovate through experimentation. No prior robotics or coding experience is necessary. Open to Grade 8
JH Band — The Junior High Band studies a variety of music literature. Students continue to develop good tone, intonation, articulation and style. Work focuses on sight-reading skills, review of the twelve major scales and learning of six minor scales. At home practice is expected on a daily basis. Band performances are required and include Veterans Day, the Christmas and Spring Concerts, the MCS Music Festival and pep band. All required band equipment is the responsibility of the student. Pre-requisite: One year in band or director’s approval. Open to grades 7, 8.
JH Choir — Choir is designed to teach basic music skills, including note reading, music theory, sight singing, and ear training. It will familiarize the student with a variety of musical styles and literature. Choir will provide a broad experiential base which the student may draw from as he/she continues to enjoy music throughout their high school years. It is the goal of the choir experience to enable each student to participate in ensemble singing with excellence and to encourage a feeling of self-worth in the student. Choir performances include the Christmas and Spring Concerts and the MCS Music Festival. All required dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Concert attire is provided by the student. These dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Open to grades 7, 8.
6th GRADE MUSIC OPTIONS
Band 6 — The Aurora Christian Sixth Grade Band is a performance course which allows students to begin learning an instrument or continue their instrumental education. Students will develop their music reading skills, tonal quality and technical facility while increasing their range, musical vocabulary and performance abilities. Music theory, listening, and music history are incorporated throughout the year long class. Emphasis in this class is placed on tone quality, intonation and ensemble performance. At home practice is expected on a daily basis. The band performs in the Christmas and Spring Concerts. These dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. All performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Instruments must be provided by the student along with Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Book 2 and a one inch binder with a binder pouch. Concert clothes are provided by the students. Reeds, valve oil, slide oil, cork grease and drum sticks must be purchased by the student as outlined in the course syllabus.
Choir 6 — Choir is designed to teach basic music skills, including note reading, sight singing, and ear training. It will familiarize the student with a variety of musical styles and literature. Choir will provide a broad experiential base which the student may draw from as he/she continues to enjoy music throughout their middle school years. It is the goal of the choir experience to enable each student to participate in ensemble singing with excellence and to encourage a feeling of self-worth in the student. The Choir performs in the Christmas and Spring Concerts. These dates are given to each student at the beginning of the school year. Concert clothes are provided by the students. All concerts and performances are mandatory and a major portion of the student’s grade. Open to grade 6.