8th Grade Electives
2022-2023
Parents of 2022-2023 St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School 8th graders and their students should complete this elective survey together by April 25, 2022. Selections will be reviewed and students will be placed into electives based on the class requirements, their other classes, and on grade level priority. Each middle school student is guaranteed one elective track for the 2022-2023 school year, but they aren't guaranteed their first choice. Class options are subject to change once the course selections are reviewed, and some options may need to be omitted/added.
Course descriptions for quarterly and year-long electives can be found below.
Course descriptions for quarterly and year-long electives can be found below.
QUARTERLY ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
3D Design: Students will learn how to design, experiment, and create original, 3D art using recycled materials, found objects, and clay. Students will also work collaboratively to create micro installation sculptures. Students will learn how to design, experiment, and create original sculptures. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Ceramics 101: Students will develop a basic knowledge of ceramics and hand building techniques. This class encompasses all ceramics related skills. Activities will be individualized according to the ability level of each student. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Painting 101: Students will learn the basics of working with watercolor, acrylics, and tempera paints; including choosing brushes, preparing canvases for painting, and using different painting styles and techniques. Instruction in color mixing, composition and depth enable the student to begin creating individual works of art. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Drawing 101: Students will focus on building fundamental drawing skills. Students will learn basic techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition, and drawing methods. Additionally, students will learn how to see with an artist's eye and capture what we see on paper. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th and 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Fall Sports: Students will explore sports that are played during the fall season, with an emphasis on Basketball. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Outdoor Games: Students will develop a basic knowledge of many outdoor PE games. Some examples may include Wiffle ball, Kickball, Cricket, Four Square. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Weight Training: Students will have the opportunity to learn weight training concepts and techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive weight training and cardiorespiratory endurance activities. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of weight training, strength training, aerobic training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Course includes both lecture and activity sessions. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Spring Sports: Students will explore sports that are played during the spring season, with an emphasis on Slow Pitch Baseball and Softball. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Music Appreciation: Students will be introduced to the joy of music and will be allowed to try different types of music including, vocal and instrumental. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mr. Passmore)
Intro to TV Production: Students will enjoy learning what a camera is and all of the many functions of the camera. Students will learn how to record on the camera including setting the camera up. They will learn how to use a tripod. Also, they will learn how to interview people. There will be some shooting assignments along with some note taking in the early stages. This class will prepare them for the future of taking high school mass media courses as well. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mr. Hayes)
Acting 101: Students will be introduced to basic acting skills, stage movement, improv, and stage voice. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Intro to Theatre: Students will be introduced to basic acting skills, stage movement, improv, play analysis, and technical theatre activities. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Play Analysis & Playwriting: Students will examine plays and playwrights as well as explore the basics of the playwriting process. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
3D Design: Students will learn how to design, experiment, and create original, 3D art using recycled materials, found objects, and clay. Students will also work collaboratively to create micro installation sculptures. Students will learn how to design, experiment, and create original sculptures. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Ceramics 101: Students will develop a basic knowledge of ceramics and hand building techniques. This class encompasses all ceramics related skills. Activities will be individualized according to the ability level of each student. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Painting 101: Students will learn the basics of working with watercolor, acrylics, and tempera paints; including choosing brushes, preparing canvases for painting, and using different painting styles and techniques. Instruction in color mixing, composition and depth enable the student to begin creating individual works of art. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Drawing 101: Students will focus on building fundamental drawing skills. Students will learn basic techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition, and drawing methods. Additionally, students will learn how to see with an artist's eye and capture what we see on paper. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th and 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
Fall Sports: Students will explore sports that are played during the fall season, with an emphasis on Basketball. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Outdoor Games: Students will develop a basic knowledge of many outdoor PE games. Some examples may include Wiffle ball, Kickball, Cricket, Four Square. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Weight Training: Students will have the opportunity to learn weight training concepts and techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive weight training and cardiorespiratory endurance activities. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of weight training, strength training, aerobic training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Course includes both lecture and activity sessions. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Spring Sports: Students will explore sports that are played during the spring season, with an emphasis on Slow Pitch Baseball and Softball. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Music Appreciation: Students will be introduced to the joy of music and will be allowed to try different types of music including, vocal and instrumental. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mr. Passmore)
Intro to TV Production: Students will enjoy learning what a camera is and all of the many functions of the camera. Students will learn how to record on the camera including setting the camera up. They will learn how to use a tripod. Also, they will learn how to interview people. There will be some shooting assignments along with some note taking in the early stages. This class will prepare them for the future of taking high school mass media courses as well. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mr. Hayes)
Acting 101: Students will be introduced to basic acting skills, stage movement, improv, and stage voice. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Intro to Theatre: Students will be introduced to basic acting skills, stage movement, improv, play analysis, and technical theatre activities. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Play Analysis & Playwriting: Students will examine plays and playwrights as well as explore the basics of the playwriting process. This class meets daily for one quarter and may include 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
YEAR-LONG COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Musical Theatre Production: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the director (Mrs. Budd) is required to take the class. The class will cover dance basics, advanced acting techniques, character development, vocal technique, and technical theatre elements. Students in the class will work towards developing their theatrical skills, while preparing a full musical production. In April, students will be required to attend after school rehearsals including two Sunday rehearsals, and a week of tech rehearsals before opening the show. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Advanced Art: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the teacher (Ms. Thigpen) is required to take the class. Advanced Art is a studio course in which students should already have an established skillset and passion for art, with a STRONG work ethic. Students will increase technical skills, develop a more sophisticated approach to process and subject matter, and create a portfolio of individual work. In addition to classroom assignments, advanced students will contribute to school-wide art projects such as set design, murals, and other collaborative art needs of the school. *Students not previously in art should submit work samples and a teacher recommendation for class approval. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
High Performance Sports: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the teacher (Coach Corcoran) is required to take the class. This class will focus on strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and skills that relate to the sport of soccer. Students must be approved for this class by having previously shown the ability to do the following:
A. Follow instructions and maintain maturity in both a highly structured environment, following sets and reps in a weight room or less structured environment, individual skill work on the field;
B. Set both short term and long term goals, especially as it relates to sport performance, injury prevention and the sport of soccer.
Students must have a reference from a teacher or coach recommending student describing how they have shown the abilities necessary to safely enjoy this high performance class. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Viking Voices: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Viking Voices is a vocal ensemble that will cover sight reading skills and vocal technique. The class will perform occasionally at mass, and perform 2 concerts a year, the Christmas and Spring Concerts. This class meets daily all year long and may include 8th - 12th grade students. (Taught by Ken Passmore accompanist and Emily Budd vocal director)
Pacelli Band: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. The Pacelli Band will cover music theory and instrument technique. The Pacelli band will have 2 performances each year, the Christmas, and Spring Concerts. This class meets daily all year long and may include 8th - 12th grade students. (Taught by Ken Passmore)
Musical Theatre Production: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the director (Mrs. Budd) is required to take the class. The class will cover dance basics, advanced acting techniques, character development, vocal technique, and technical theatre elements. Students in the class will work towards developing their theatrical skills, while preparing a full musical production. In April, students will be required to attend after school rehearsals including two Sunday rehearsals, and a week of tech rehearsals before opening the show. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Mrs. Budd)
Advanced Art: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the teacher (Ms. Thigpen) is required to take the class. Advanced Art is a studio course in which students should already have an established skillset and passion for art, with a STRONG work ethic. Students will increase technical skills, develop a more sophisticated approach to process and subject matter, and create a portfolio of individual work. In addition to classroom assignments, advanced students will contribute to school-wide art projects such as set design, murals, and other collaborative art needs of the school. *Students not previously in art should submit work samples and a teacher recommendation for class approval. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Ms. Thigpen)
High Performance Sports: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Approval by the teacher (Coach Corcoran) is required to take the class. This class will focus on strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and skills that relate to the sport of soccer. Students must be approved for this class by having previously shown the ability to do the following:
A. Follow instructions and maintain maturity in both a highly structured environment, following sets and reps in a weight room or less structured environment, individual skill work on the field;
B. Set both short term and long term goals, especially as it relates to sport performance, injury prevention and the sport of soccer.
Students must have a reference from a teacher or coach recommending student describing how they have shown the abilities necessary to safely enjoy this high performance class. This class meets daily all year long and may include 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. (Taught by Coach Corcoran)
Viking Voices: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. Viking Voices is a vocal ensemble that will cover sight reading skills and vocal technique. The class will perform occasionally at mass, and perform 2 concerts a year, the Christmas and Spring Concerts. This class meets daily all year long and may include 8th - 12th grade students. (Taught by Ken Passmore accompanist and Emily Budd vocal director)
Pacelli Band: This class meets 5 days a week all 4 quarters. The Pacelli Band will cover music theory and instrument technique. The Pacelli band will have 2 performances each year, the Christmas, and Spring Concerts. This class meets daily all year long and may include 8th - 12th grade students. (Taught by Ken Passmore)