Electives

BRIEF SUMMARY

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Elective courses are considered to be those that may be required by a school for credit and/or for a high school diploma, but are outside the required classes in traditional subject areas (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health and Wellness and any required Career and Technical Education, Fine Art, Word Language, etc., courses).  Elective courses can be in the above mentioned subject areas, but are classes that are not required, though a specific number of credits in “elective” courses may need to be earned to qualify for a high school diploma.  These courses are more often considered those that students are able to choose for themselves based on desire and interest in the subject matter.

KEY POINTS

• Students should select electives in a deliberate manner to take full advantage of college and career exploration and preparation opportunities.
• The Indiana Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and the Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas (class of 2016 and beyond) require a minimum of 6 “elective” credits and 5 “directed elective” credits.
• The Indiana General High School Diploma (class of 2016 and beyond) requires a minimum of 6 “elective” credits and 5 “flex” credits, which can include elective courses.
• High school schedules provide time for many more electives during the high school years than the required minimum of 6 for all diploma types.

SHARED WISDOM

• Sharing info with students about what electives are offered prior to them choosing classes for scheduling – what is everyone doing to make sure students know what courses are offered? (Counselor Talk, September 2018)
  • We provide a list of courses each year on our website and refer students to our online Curriculum Guide which includes course descriptions. We share the same info with 8th graders, but we also give them the list of courses and other info in printed form. We have an 8th Grade Night where a teacher from each department has a table display to advertise courses and answer questions about all courses in their departments. Our 8th Grade Night is very well attended. Once they get into high school they use the online resources. We also have grade-level scheduling presentations for students each year where we tell them about new courses or changes to existing courses. We also meet with students for individual scheduling appointments.
• This year, our middle school started a rotation first period. Each 9 weeks, they will rotate their first period class. Right now, we have PE, Art, and FACS (family and consumer science) in the rotation. We’re looking for a 4th class.  Does anyone have any suggestions?   (Counselor Talk, September 2018)
  • We have digital citizenship as one of our rotations. The teacher includes Keyboarding as part of that class.
  • Our high school counselor designed curriculum covering counseling standards, including college and career exploration. This course is offered at the middle school level instead of visiting classes with psychoeducation presentations throughout the year. It is a 9 week course and has time built in to create 4 year graduation plans as well.
  • We sometimes use a proactive, anti-bullying curriculum called Peacemakers.

  • • **Spanish (** ONLY an option for 8th English Honor Students)

    • Family & Consumer Science (Topics include sewing labs, food labs & other life skills.)

    • Advanced Sewing and Cooking ( Do you love cake decorating, sewing projects and planning and preparing meals? Join this class to do more of those things! Twelve weeks of cooking and sewing projects!) **You need to take regular Family & Consumer Science 1st or 2nd Trimester to have this class 3rd Trimester.

    • Industrial Technology Engineering (Topics include Auto Cad, CO2 cars, & Water Rockets)

    • Industrial Tech 3D (Learn to design and print object of art, common household products or toys.)

    • Espanol En Fuego (Are you on fire to learn Spanish? Do you want to learn basic conversational skills? Or do you speak Spanish, but wish you could read and write it a little better? Do you plan to visit Barcelona, Mexico City or Puerto Rico one day? Then this class is for you! Come and explore with us!) ** This class is NOT for High Ability English students who have the option to take Spanish I 8th grade year.

    • Makerspace ( Makerspace is a class where students create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of materials. We will use our creative expression to design, take things apart and put them back together, create new things from things that no longer work, and explore in the process. We will be using the STEAM curriculum which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Come join on this new adventure, as we learn and grow together.)

    • Turn the Page ( “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.”-Neil Gaiman If you love to read or wish you could find just the right book, this is the place for you. We will read, discuss, and share great books. Discover new places, new people, and new ways to see the world without leaving where you are. Join us in this “dream” and “Turn the Page”.)

    • Creative Writing (Requires Approval- select writing focus and work as a group to produce final project)

    • Drawing & Painting (Techniques of drawing & painting)

    • Ceramics (Uses clay & teaches elements of ceramics)

    • Sculpture (Uses glass & teaches elements of sculpture)

    • PE (Teaches a variety of team/individual sports)

    • Thunder & Lightning (Have you had thoughts about being part of the Olympic team in the future? What about participating on a high school, college or professional athletic team? If so, no need to look any further! This class is an opportunity to show off to your classmates about your accomplishments / improvements while having fun. The objective of this class will be learning & understanding how to exercise efficiently & properly in the areas of cardio, strength, flexibility & the importance of nutrition.)Our related arts offerings are:

• Junior High/Middle School Elective Rotation Offerings (Counselor Talk Responses, Sept. 2017)

RESOURCES

• Indiana’s Diploma Requirements
  
• Indiana’s Approved Course Titles and Descriptions
  

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This post was created by EFGH ContentManager on August 7, 2016.