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Click here for 6th Grade Course Descriptions
22-23 Elective Descriptions and Promo Videos
Visual ART:
ART skills, ART history, and ART World of Work… Do you like art? Do you want to know more about art? Then ART class is the elective for you. ART skills, ART history, and ART World of Work are just a few of the topics you will explore in the year-long ART elective. Be creative and develop new art skills to enhance your abilities… Be curious and learn about art history to understand art movements and art styles… Be collaborative and work with others to explore art careers… and MORE !! Art elective will give you opportunities to… Be curious, Be creative, and Be collaborative… BE in art class!
No Letter of Interest is required.
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Husky Leadership Sports /ASB (7th and 8th Grade Elective):
"Hillsdale Leadership" is a yearlong elective that consists of both the Student Body and Sports Leadership classes. This elective promotes and models a culture of Integrity, Honesty, Pride, Unity, Leadership, Cooperation, Teamwork, and Spirit! In order to accomplish this goal there are certain expectations that leaders are required to adhere to.
HMS Leaders are required to:
- Maintain good grades in all of your classes so that your teachers will support your "HMS Leadership" efforts outside of their classroom.
- Demonstrate to your fellow students and teachers that you are a positive force on this campus by displaying positive actions. (No Referrals).
- Listen and work cooperatively with others.
- Treat people with respect.
- Be trustworthy.
- Follow through on all promises and commitments.
A Letter of Intent Application is required for this elective.
Access Letter of Intent Application here
Due Date: May 13th
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BEGINNING BAND (Mixed Grade Level):
This class is the 1st step in the Band program at Hillsdale. No experience necessary. Hillsdale has over 350 instruments available for student use FREE of charge. Students spend the first part of the year learning music theory and exploring all the instruments. They will pick one instrument for the rest of the year. Select here to see an introduction to all the instruments available. The following instruments are available from Hillsdale (if needed) and FREE of charge to students: flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, baritone, trombone, french horn, tuba, bell set (first step to drums). Beginning Band performs in concerts for family members and the student body. Students are given many musical and developmental opportunities, such as the Disneyland Musical Scavenger Hunt and/or Disneyland composition workshops. Students who are accelerated will also be given opportunities to move to Intermediate Band and Concert Band (if scheduling allows) throughout the year.
INTERMEDIATE BAND (Mixed Grade Level):
This class is the 2nd step designed for a student who has at least one year of experience but needs more time to develop their instrument (i.e. hasn't mastered "Sawmill Creek" in the Standard of Excellence method book). They will experiment with new key signatures, different tonalities, a variety of articulations, and an extension of musical styles. Students are given many musical and developmental opportunities, such as solo festivals and the Disneyland Recording Session Workshop. Click here to see a sample of what that would be like. Students go backstage at Disneyland Park to a recording studio to work with a Disney composer or director and record soundtracks to Disney movies, then watch the movies with their music added to the scenes. Just like professionals do. Students who are accelerated will also be given opportunities to move to Concert Band throughout the year (if their schedules allow).
CONCERT BAND (Mixed Grade Level):
This class is the 3rd step in the Hillsdale Instrumental Music Program. Students enter Concert Band after at least 1-2 year of training or by audition. (If you can play “Sawmill Creek” in the Standards of Excellence Book, this is the class for you). Concert Band will be working with more complex and demanding music. This band will perform at local festivals, local community events and regular concerts and possibly (if accepted) the Disneyland Stage click here to see them in 2018. This Performance is a huge honor. Students will have the opportunity to audition for Honor Bands and solo festivals which have a direct link to colleges and their recruiters. We will perform the National Anthem in several venues including our local high school football half time shows as well as the PADRES and GULLS hockey games. Click here to see them play at a Padre Game. As well as the last two years in the Mother Goose parade on a “Seal” Boat. See facebook link above.
No Letter of Interest is required. Placement is based on experience.
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Career Explorations (7th and 8th grade students only):
In Career Explorations we start the year by identifying our personal interests, strengths and values. As the year progresses, we explore many different careers from all 6 RIASEC themes, hear from professionals in the working world and do career simulation activities to find out what those careers might really be like. We also learn about financial literacy, including how to create a budget, insurance, income tax, investing, credit and savings. We also practice creating SMART goals and track our progress in order to learn how to achieve our goals effectively. All of this together allows us to plan a possible path for our future self that will lead to happiness and success.
No Letter of Interest is required for this class.
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Mastery Coding (7th and 8th grade students only):
“Mastery Coding” is a yearlong elective class that introduces students to Javascript, HTML, and CSS coding languages. Our goal is to create career-ready coders and esports programmers. This course empowers students with the skills they need to become industry certified for high-skill, high-need, high-paying workforce opportunities. Students are expected to be responsible, self-motivated, flexible, creative and work cooperatively with other team members to design and develop various projects. Teamwork is imperative!
No Letter of Interest is required for this class.
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INTERMEDIATE DRAMA (7th and 8th grade students only; *Incoming 6th graders may audition for this class*):
This is a year-long program for students with some drama experience. Students will learn: Acting Techniques and Methods, Theatre Games, Improvisation, Pantomime, Script Analysis and Memorization, Scene Work, Cooperative Learning Skills, Song and Dance Production, and Musical Theater. As a drama family, these students will perform a full musical in the spring with costumes, lights, sound, and a full audience!
No Letter of Interest is required for this class. Audition for class is not required.
HONORS DRAMA (7th and 8th grade students only):
This course not only teaches skills to help students become better actors, singers, and dancers, but places an emphasis on performance. There will be one production in the winter and another in the spring. Students will learn audition techniques and be required to perform monologues, duets and group scenes for the class. Vocal training and choreographing stage movement will take place throughout the year. During performances, students will be required to rehearse before school, on weekends, and perform in the evenings. Field trips to perform at theme parks and for local events have been a highlight of this class for many students. For this class, commitment to being a dedicated team member is essential. Eighth grade students have priority for this class. (Entry into Honors Drama is by letter of interest and audition only.)
A Letter of Intent Application is required for this elective.
Students must audition for this class.
Access Letter of Interest and Audition form here
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STEM/Robotics/Engineering (7th grade students only):
Intro to STEM, Engineering and Robotics are courses designed to introduce and expand student’s understanding of Engineering and Robotics and to encourage students to consider Engineering as a career path. Students will be introduced to the Engineering Design Process and will use it throughout the course. They will learn 3D modeling using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Students will learn how to program robots to complete functions using sensors. Students will learn to make Android apps and will investigate different engineering careers.
No Letter of Interest is required for this class.
STEM 8 (8th grade students only):
“Stem 8” is a yearlong Engineering and Robotics class that deals with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. You will develop an understanding of what engineers do and their methods for solving problems. You will be a designer - responsible for creating various mechanisms and robotic systems. Through your creations, you will help to make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient. Students are expected to be responsible, self-motivated, flexible, creative and work cooperatively with other team members to design and develop various projects. Teamwork is imperative!
No Letter of Interest is required for this class.
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BEGINNING STRING ORCHESTRA (Mixed Grade Level):
This is the first step to becoming a music student of the Hillsdale String Orchestra. No music experience is needed, and free instruments are available for student use. Students will learn the basics of note reading and instrument technique and explore the orchestra instruments: violin, viola, cello, and bass. Students will then pick one to study for the year. Click here to see an introduction to these instruments. In previous years, this group went on a field trip to Disneyland where they participated in a Disneyland music scavenger hunt or composition workshop.
INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA (Mixed Grade Level):
This class is designed for a student who has at least one year of experience but needs more individualized time to develop their instrument. They will experiment with new key signatures, different tonalities, a variety of bow techniques, and an extension of musical styles. In previous years, this group went on a field trip to Disneyland where they recorded movie music like the professionals do.
ADVANCED STRING ORCHESTRA (Mixed Grade Level):
This is the top orchestra class at Hillsdale. Students in this class will further develop their musical skills by working with more complex and demanding music. They will also have greater performance opportunities, like festivals, TedX, various community events, or onstage at amusement parks. In previous years, this group has performed on stage at Disneyland and participated in an overnight festival trip. Students must audition to get into this ensemble.
No Letter of Interest is required for this class. Placement is based on experience.
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Students at Work (SAW) (7th and 8th grade students only):
This course is available to students who have demonstrated strong character traits and who have an interest in developing job readiness skills at Hillsdale. You may be placed in a SAW position in the front office, AP office, in a teacher’s classroom, or with P.E. Your duties may include, answering phones, greeting visitors, running hall passes and student messages, helping teachers set up their class, tutor students and grade papers. You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a citizenship GPA of at least 3.0.
Print and fill out letter of interest linked here. Due date for letter is May 6th
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SPANISH I (7th and 8th grade students only) and SPANISH II (8th grade students only):
Learning a new language is an exciting experience. In this course you will learn Spanish through a variety of techniques: technology/computers, skits, games, cultural field trips, films, and readings. Students learn useful vocabulary, basic grammar, and conversational skills. Students are encouraged to use their new language in and out of class. A visit to San Diego Mission or Cabrillo Monument and a visit to El Jardín Zoológico de San Diego will be included in our Spanish I program.
No letter of interest needed
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Video Production (7th and 8th grade students only):
“Video Production” is a yearlong elective. All students must maintain good grades in all courses, and display positive character traits to be, and stay, a member of our team. If brainstorming, storyboarding, filming, directing, editing and acting on video is something you enjoy, then this is the class for you!
A Letter of Intent Application is required for this elective. Due Date for Letter: May 13th
Access Letter of Intent Application here
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PLUS+ (PEER LEADERS UNITING STUDENTS) (7th and 8th grade students only)
In the PLUS+ leadership class, students will focus on the promotion of a positive school culture. Beginning with 6th grade summer orientation, PLUS+ leaders will plan activities to make the transition to middle school a smooth one and follow sixth graders throughout their first year on campus. Students will determine the monthly character education traits and develop schoolwide activities to promote these traits sitewide. PLUS+ students will assist peers in the morning and at lunch by seeking out students who need help, whether it’s somebody who needs a friend or somebody who needs help with homework. PLUS+ students will be trained to run school forums to discuss issues students are facing on campus. This leadership class is for people who want to make a positive difference on campus in a year-long elective.
A Letter of Intent Application is required for this elective.BOTH a GOOGLE FORM (Below) AND a HARD COPY APPLICATION (Below) MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO MS. ELLIS IN ROOM 203 NO LATER THAN 3:45PM, FRIDAY, MAY 6th.
Access Letter of Intent Application (Google Form) Here. Due date for letter is May 6th
Hard Copy Link Due date for letter is May 6th
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YEARBOOK (7th and 8th grade students only):
Students in this class will develop and produce the yearbook for Hillsdale Middle School. The students will learn layout and design, editing skills, interviewing skills, photography, and marketing skills. They will also experience working with a professional publisher as they meet deadlines, and develop pages that will represent the memories for tomorrow.
A Letter of Intent Application is required for this elective. GOOGLE FORM (Below) MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO MS. ELLIS IN ROOM 203 NO LATER THAN 3:45PM, FRIDAY, MAY 6th.
Access Letter of Intent Application here (Google Form) Due date for Application is May 6th
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT (7th and 8th Grade Elective): โ
Academic support class is focused on helping students learn to set goals and find strategies that promote and foster academic engagement, accountability and a stronger foundation for success. Students in the academic support class have the opportunity each day to practice organization, prioritization, focus, and collaboration to find what tools work to make their learning more personal and individualized.
No letter of interest needed
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FITNESS (7th and 8th Grade Elective):
This is a class that focuses on nutrition, physical health, and athletic goal setting. This course is designed to provide knowledge and experiences to help students make choices that will have a positive impact on their overall health, now and in the future. Health professional guest speakers, interactive lessons, nutritional education, physical activities, and the successful training and completion of a 5k race are all part of this invigorating program. Students in this class must be motivated, energetic, responsible, and have willing to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
No letter of interest needed
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INTRO TO LEADERSHIP (7th and 8th Grade Elective):
This class is designed to help students develop the foundational skills of leadership. Students in Intro to Leadership will have an opportunity to improve their skills in writing, speaking, organization, and responsibility. Students will learn about coordinating student events, activities, and games. This class provides students with the knowledge to help them fulfill their HMS Leadership capabilities.
No letter of interest needed
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ELECTIVE WHEEL (7th and 8th Grade Elective):
The Elective Wheel provides an opportunity for students to experience more than one elective course within the school year. The elective wheel consists of three 12-week courses. The courses made available to students may include experiences in Art, STEM, Drama, Music, Intro to Leadership, Career Explorations, or Coding.
Here is an example of what a wheel might look like.
No letter of interest needed
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- Anza Elementary
- Avocado Elementary
- Blossom Valley Elementary
- Bostonia Global
- Cajon Valley Middle
- Chase Avenue Elementary
- COVID 19 Information
- Crest School
- Cajon Valley Home School
- Empower Academy
- Flying Hills School of the Arts
- Fuerte Elementary
- Greenfield Middle
- Hillsdale Middle
- Jamacha Elementary
- Johnson Elementary
- Lexington Elementary
- Los Coches Creek CSMA Magnet School
- Madison Elementary
- Magnolia Elementary
- Meridian Elementary
- Montgomery Middle
- Naranca Elementary
- Parents
- Rancho San Diego Elementary
- Rios Computer Science Magnet School
- Sevick School
- Vista Grande Elementary
- W. D. Hall Elementary
