Exploratory Cycles & Electives

In addition to the core curriculum students at all grade levels are offered a variety of exploratory classes to enrich their academic experiences. Exploratory classes encompass art, computer skills, AVID, and Garden Ecology. Subjects may vary year to year. In addition, at the sixth grade level students participate in Quest, a class that equips students with skills for adolescence by addressing student self esteem, drug use, and alcohol and tobacco use prevention.

SIXTH GRADE EXPLORATORY CYCLE

Unless they have elected instrumental instruction, all sixth grade students take one period of an exploratory class. The students will switch classes four times. They will start with Quest and then rotate through the three classes listed below. Students who need extra help in academics may be pulled from their exploratory class to attend ELL or Math Boosters class.


COMPUTER EDUCATION	In this course students will focus on keyboarding skills and gaining a basic knowledge of such common computer programs as Microsoft Office and Google Apps. They will learn basic internet research skills and how to protect their identity online. Students will also develop creativity and decision making skills using GarageBand, Photos, and possibly other apps..
HEALTH	This course presents an opportunity to learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making smart choices. The course covers total health and wellness including physical, social, and mental/emotional health. Curriculum includes nutrition, fitness, and the personal and sociological impact of good health habits versus poor health habits. Through group projects, class discussions, research, and videos, students will learn to sustain a healthy, active routine.

AVID 6	(Advancement Via Individual Determination) AVID is a program designed to prepare students to succeed in middle school and beyond. The objectives of A.V.I.D. include increasing the participants’ levels of organization, community building, study skills, and critical thinking skills.
WEB Transition/Study Skills: Skills for Adolescence	Students will learn how to cope with the challenges of our complex society by developing critical thinking skills, building self-confidence through better communication, improving peer relationships, study skills, strengthening family relationships, and setting goals for healthy living. Bullying prevention, tobacco and alcohol abuse and other related problems will be addressed.
EXPRESSIONS	This course is designed to encourage students to express themselves in a variety of ways. Students will have fun with language arts (which may include poetry, idioms, alliteration), art (which may include painting, pastels, yarn), dance (which may include simple pop songs, cultural dance), music (which may include a variety of simple songs on the records), and drama (which may include drama games, choral reading, and short skits). These activities will help develop student self-confidence through self-expression and creativity.
BOOSTER CLASSES	Booster classes may be scheduled for students needing extra assistance in Mathematics and English Language Development (ELD). These classes may be required in lieu of the exploratory cycle for students who are not meeting standards.

SEVENTH GRADE EXPLORATORY CYCLE

Seventh grade students may elect an instrumental instruction period, AVID, or to take one period of classes in an exploratory cycle. Students who wish to take either instrumental or AVID and an exploratory may do so by adding a zero period PE class. Students who need extra help in academics may be pulled from their exploratory class to attend ELL or Math Boosters class. For those electing the exploratory rotation, they will rotate through three or four of the following courses:

CAREERS	This class explores the relationship between education and training for future career choices. Through a California-based simulation, students will identify and explore numerous career fields and look at required education levels, skills, and training necessary to acquire each position. They will also practice completing college and job applications, discuss the path to a college career and explore college choices.
COMPUTER EDUCATION	In this course, students will build on the basic skills learned in the 6th grade computer class and continue to work on their keyboarding skills. A main focus of the course is the use of multimedia applications to tell stories and make presentations. Students will create slideshows in PowerPoint and iPhoto, a podcast in GarageBand, a movie in iMovie, and a newsletter using Microsoft Word.
HEALTH 7	This course includes topics in self-esteem, substance abuse, disease, nutrition, fitness, and major human body systems. Parent approval is required for the unit on adolescence and reproduction.

AVID 7 – year long course (Advancement Via Individual Determination)	AVID is a program designed to prepare students in the middle (G.P.A. between 2.0 and 3.5) to succeed in a college preparatory path for admission to four-year colleges and universities. The objectives of AVID include increasing the participants’ levels of career awareness, giving students college-level entry skills, and increasing the “coping skills” of program participants. It is a one year course and requires students to go through an application/selection process.
MATH BOOSTER CLASS	Booster classes are developed for students needing extra assistance. These classes may be required for students who are not meeting standards.

EIGHTH GRADE EXPLORATORY CYCLE

In addition to core curriculum, all eighth grade students will take an instrumental, one period of classes in an exploratory cycle or a year-long elective. The exploratory cycle rotates on the tri-mester. Students may choose two elective classes by opting for a zero period PE.


COMPUTERS	In addition to building on the skills learned over the past two years, eighth grade computer students will have the opportunity to develop skills in video production. Students will learn such essential skills as script writing, storyboarding, filming, editing, interviewing, and event coverage. They will film and broadcast sports events, club and class activities, and other school events. Students choosing Computers will rotate between Drama and Computers every quarter.

EIGHTH GRADE ELECTIVES

AVID 8 (year-long course)

AVID is a program designed to prepare students in the middle (G.P.A. between 2.0 and 3.5) to succeed in a college preparatory path for admission to four-year colleges and universities. The objectives of AVID include increasing the participants’ levels of career awareness, giving students college-level entry skills, and increasing the “coping skills” of program participants. It is a one year course and requires students to go through an application/selection process.

LEADERSHIP (year-long course)

This year-long course is for the highly motivated student who has a real desire to become involved in student activities, student government, and school/community service. Students develop an understanding of student government, leadership styles, communication, time management, goal-setting, and decision-making. Students learn and develop their leadership skills through direct participation in planning and organizing a variety of programs. (Examples of activities are organizing noontime activities and school-wide assemblies, planning and decorating for school dances, and carrying out student and staff recognition programs.) Students will read and implement The Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens. Enrollment is limited to 8th graders who complete the application process and have exemplar teacher recommendations.

SPANISH 1 (year-long course)

This is a full-year, college prep course equivalent to Spanish 1 at Castro Valley High School. Students will develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as an appreciation and understanding of Spanish speaking culture through readings, music, rhyme, and video. Communication skills are emphasized and taught through comprehensible input. Individual, paired, and grouped activities, projects, and tests should be anticipated. Comprehensible communicative activities will be practiced each day. Daily study and homework assignments are expected. Upon successful completion of this course with an “A” or “B” semester grade, and based on teacher recommendation, students may advance to Spanish 2 when entering high school.
Criteria:
Students must have a “C” or better in 7th grade English and the recommendation of their English teacher in order to enroll in this high school level course.

Strongly Recommended:
A “B” or better in English, an excellent attendance record, strong English skills, and good study skills.

YEARBOOK (year-long course)

This course focuses on four areas: layout and design, copy writing, photography, and marketing. Within these areas, students will learn the skills necessary for production of any desktop published document and will be responsible for the production of the Creekside Yearbook. Students will develop leadership skills and have the opportunity to work in an editorial position on the staff. Enrollment is open to eighth graders and is based on an application process, including teacher recommendation. Applications will be available in the spring for the following year.