Middle School Electives

Fine Art Electives

Choir (6th, 7th, 8th)
Students will learn vocal anatomy, music comprehension, and how to use their time and talents to give God glory. Performance opportunities will be available to share their musical gifts. No musical background is required to join the choir!

One Act Play -PSIA (Private Schools Interscholastic Association) (6th, 7th, 8th)
Students will draw upon various skills as they work together to perform an original or published drama under time and set limitations.

Technology Electives

Programming (6th, 7th, 8th)           
In this course, students will learn how to program in Java. Java is a programming language and computing platform first released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It has evolved from humble beginnings to power a large share of today’s digital world by providing a reliable platform upon which many services and applications are built. New, innovative products and digital services designed for the future continue to rely on Java. This class will program the robot for the FIRST Tech Challenge competition. This includes autonomous as well as driver-controlled programs.

Robotics (6th, 7th & 8th)
FIRST Tech Challenge teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Students will use Java as a programming language. The class must attend the competition as part of their grade. Students will develop a business plan, market the program, and generate revenue to support the program.  It’s way more than building robots.  (10-12 students)

3D Printing (7th & 8th)
They know the fundamentals of 3D modeling and understand the process of 3D printing. Design, create, and print different projects to promote efficiency around our environment. 3D printing will enable students to produce complex shapes to construct structures using fewer materials than traditional manufacturing methods. Students will be learning 3D modeling software to help them design, then moving on to printing and construction. 

Video Editing (6th, 7th & 8th)
In this course, students will be introduced to Video Editing software. The students will work together to create projects, make creative videos, and help with the social media promotions of St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School. Students will be introduced to the basics of video production. Students will engage in hands-on experiences as they learn the basics of filmmaking: pre-production, production, and post-production. They develop skills in planning, organization, script writing, interpersonal communication, team building, and media literacy. Students participate in every aspect of video production, from editing to directing on-screen talent. Students produce video products in the form of narrative/dramatic, informational/documentary, promotional/persuasive, and creative/music video. Equipment used includes video cameras, iPads, iPhones, and laptop computers. They practice shooting videos, doing sound recordings and sound engineering, and editing using iMovie. They will work individually, with partners, and in collaborative groups. (8-12 Students)

Other Electives

Academic Enrichment (6th, 7th, 8th)
This class reviews skills in creative writing, number sense, calculator, maps and graphs and other PSIA events. Students will be required to participate throughout the year in San Antonio with the TMSCA (Texas Math and Science Coaches Association). This class will prepare students for the PSIA Competition in the Spring. 

Asking the Big Questions (6th, 7th, 8th)
As a class, students will investigate three key philosophical areas: friendship, happiness, and life choices. They will consult philosophers like Aristotle, Confucius, and Martin Luther King Jr. to answer our most pressing questions! Each class, students will read a short excerpt or learn a new concept before the class participates in dialogue or another exciting activity. By the end of the first semester, students will be able to ask the hard questions and take stands on what they believe. 

Welcome to Middle School Writing (6th)
Topic sentences! Paragraphs. Essays. Do these words conjure up delightful memories or scary nightmares? Regardless of one’s past experiences, this course is the perfect starting point for our middle school writers. Activities and assignments will help them review the fundamentals of writing, utilize a variety of organizational tools, and develop an eye for craft so that they can communicate with greater confidence and purpose. 

History of Medieval Shields (6th, 7th &  8th)
In medieval times, why did people want a personal sign or symbol? Why were the signs and symbols painted on shields? This class will promote and encourage the study of heraldry, which is the art and science of designing and using a coat of arms. You will also learn the history of medieval shields from the Greeks to modern day. By the end of the semester, students will work on creating and designing their very own coat of arms. Fr. Felipe is a member of the American College of Heraldry and has worked to design numerous coats of arms in the past.

Current Events in the World (6th, 7th &  8th)
Wars, invasions, diseases, elections, religion, and even sports. There are new stories and developments every single day in our country and world, and it can be a full-time job trying to keep up with everything. Current Events in the World will help students be aware and on top of a plethora of events happening in today's world, and it will teach students to be an informed, educated, and intelligent citizen in the world. There is a whole world outside of our little bubble, and this class will help expand it! This class will require students to give one presentation about a current events article of their choosing.

Labs, Cooking, Body Systems and Health (6th, 7th, 8th)        
This course will provide an extension to those students that love science.  Throughout the course we will learn about different topics in physics, environmental science, and  chemistry through the process of labs.  We will also learn about physiology and anatomy of the human body along with how different diseases affect each of these systems.  We will also discuss nutritional health and learn how to cook some nutritional meals.