Aide (Teacher, Counseling, Library, and Attendance) 

8th grade Aides are expected to have regular and consistent attendance and confidentiality is required. Aides are to assist the teacher or department with appropriate tasks within the class period. This class is a Pass/Fail class; students do not receive a letter grade. Prerequisite for an Aide is staff approval. 

Introduction to Art 

This 6th grade class takes students through the basics of standard techniques and mediums, from pencil and paper, painting, and sculpture. Students will learn how to draw, paint, work with paper, cardboard, and papier-mâché, and create a variety of projects in different mediums. It will also include the basics of major Art History movements. 

Principles of Art 

This 7th and 8th grade class takes students through the basics of standard techniques and mediums, from pencil and paper, acrylic and watercolor painting, to printmaking. This art class includes several Art movements throughout history, from classical Roman and Byzantine through the Renaissance and later Modern Art movements. Students will learn how to draw, paint, work with paper, cardboard, and papier-mâché, and create a variety of projects in different mediums. 

Advanced Art 

Advanced Art is a continuation of Art 1 for 8th grade students, building on core skills to enhance artistic perception, art history knowledge, and artistic skills. Part of the year, we explore the work and styles of artists from around the world and create original works of art based on the style and materials of each artist we study. We also spend part of the year learning the basics of Ceramics, working to make pieces in each of the basic categories of Ceramics and culminating in a final project that incorporates all of the basic skills. Prerequisites: Year Completion of Principles of Art or Portfolio Submission. 

A.S.B. 

7th and 8th grade ASB explores student leadership concepts and develops leadership and teamwork skills, including parliamentary procedure, public speaking, cultural awareness, and etiquette protocol. ASB student ambassadors plan, promote, carry out, and evaluate campus-wide activities that support SEMS students and staff. At times, students must work during lunch, and before- or after- school to complete event-related duties. 

A.V.I.D. 6, 7, 8 

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a year-long academic elective course for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students that prepares all students for the rigors of high school, college and career readiness utilizing a preparatory curriculum provided by the AVID Center. The focus throughout the year is communication, growing students’ reading and writing, collaboration, organization, note-taking, decision making, time management, tutorials, problem-solving, critical thinking, inquiry, research, character development, community service, exposure to different field trips, as well as developing technological knowledge and skills. 

Band: Beginning 

At San Elijo Middle School, all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have the opportunity to participate in music through our band program. Students who choose band will focus on learning a woodwind (flute, clarinet, and saxophone), brass (trumpet and trombone), or percussion instrument. Curriculum will follow the national arts standards. The textbook we follow is a music method book called Essential Elements of Instruction Book 1. We supplement instruction with sheet music to reinforce the concepts learned in the method book such as rhythm, dynamics, articulation, and artistic expression. Students will also learn about famous composers past and present. Beginning Band will perform three concerts to demonstrate their learning. These are the Turkey Concert in November, the Coffee Concert in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Through band, students learn how to be a musician, through an environment of growth, inclusion, and education. They hone multitasking and organization skills, develop friendships and teamwork, as well as, become part of a larger multicultural music community.

Band: Concert 

This 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Ensemble is a continuation of Beginning Band. In Concert Band, we continue to refine the skills learned in beginning band while adding more complex skills through different repertoire. Students do not use a textbook, but rather use sheet music rated by the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Students prepare and perform this music for judges in an adjudicated festival. They are rated based on the musical standards for their appropriate level of musicianship. Concert Band students perform 4 required concerts; Turkey Concert in November, Pre Festival in February, Festival in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Other optional performances include a Disneyland Workshop (8th grade), participation in Solo and Ensemble, and a Music in the Parks Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. The prerequisite for this class is 1 year of experience on their instrument. There is no audition required for this group; however if the student is a 6th grader, an assessment of skills will be done to determine appropriate placement. 

Band: Advanced 

This 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Ensemble is a continuation of Beginning Band but with more rigor. In Golden Eagle Band, we continue to refine the skills learned in Beginning Band while adding more complex skills through different, more challenging repertoire. Students do not use a textbook, but rather use sheet music rated by the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Students prepare and perform this music for judges in an adjudicated festival. They are rated based on the musical standards for their appropriate level of musicianship. Golden Eagle Band students perform 4 required concerts; Turkey Concert in November, Pre Festival in February, Festival in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Other optional performances include a Disneyland Workshop (8th grade), participation in Solo and Ensemble, and a Music in the Parks Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. The prerequisite for this class is having 1 year of experience on their instrument. There is an audition of some major scales and a prepared solo for this group. 

Band: Wind Ensemble 

This Ensemble is for the most advanced musicians. In Wind Symphony, students are expected to already know their 12 major scales. Students do not use a textbook, but rather use sheet music rated by the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Some of this music is high school level. Students are expected to practice on their own and use class time for group rehearsal. Students prepare and perform this music for judges in an adjudicated festival. They are rated based on the musical standards for their appropriate level of musicianship. Wind Symphony students perform 4 required concerts; Turkey Concert in November, Pre Festival in February, Festival in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Other optional performances include a Disneyland Workshop (8th grade), participation in Solo and Ensemble, and a Music in the Parks Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. The prerequisite for this class is having at least 1 year of experience on their instrument. There is a rigorous audition of all 12 major scales and a prepared solo for this group. 

Choir 

At San Elijo Middle School, all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have the opportunity to participate in music through our choir program. Students who choose choir will focus on learning music through the vocal arts. Curriculum will follow the National Arts Standards. There is not a textbook for the class, but instead different sets of warm ups that teach and encourage good breathing, posture, vowel shape, word completion, and pitch. Instruction is supplemented with sheet music of different genres in order to foster understanding. The Beginning Choir will perform at three concerts-the Winter Concert in December, Coffee Concert in March, and Spring Concert in May. There may be additional opportunities to perform at community events.