7/8th Grade Course Catalog

These courses are all year-long electives open to 7th and 8th grade students, unless specified otherwise in the course description. Courses marked with 🟡 in the title are possible to be overenrolled, in which case students would be admitted through a lottery.

To learn more about an elective offering, click on the class name listed below.

General Electives

7th/8th Grade Exploratory Wheel

All students in the 7th/8th Grade Exploratory Wheel will take one elective course per quarter during the school year. The courses listed below may be included as part of the wheel. Courses are subject to change each year.

Spanish Language & Culture
This quarter-long course will invite students to make comparisons and connections between Spanish culture and American culture while exploring different aspects of food, music, traditions, festivities, and the geography of Spanish speaking countries. No previous knowledge of Spanish needed. (This course is NOT a requirement for placement into Spanish 1 for the next academic year)

Art On The Wheel
This quarter-long course exploratory wheel art class is designed for students to sample the full-year Art electives. Students will develop their creativity and artistic skills with engaging art and digital art projects, explore working with various mediums in art, and Adobe Illustrator software in Digital Art. At the end of this course, students will be filled with confidence and left with the urge to continue creating. Take a look at our photo album on our class website for a first hand look at student work that is created in Art Wheel.

STEAM 101 On The Wheel
STEAM in the 7th/8th grade wheel is an introduction to the engineering design process in which students will use STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) disciplines to come up with solutions to solve various problems in some or all of the following topics: Roller coaster design, cardboard pinball machines, 3D design and printing, electricity, mousetrap cars, and an introduction to handheld tools with an emphasis on safety, communication, and teamwork. This class will prepare you for STEAM 101, which is a full-year elective for 7th and 8th graders.

Video Production On The Wheel
Seventh and eighth grade students perform in front of the camera in this active course. Students will experience all aspects of video production including writing scripts, acting in front of the camera, directing from behind the camera, and editing it all together in a professional quality studio.

Art 7/8

This year-long art course is open to 7th and 8th grade students. Students will have hands-on experience developing expressive and innovative art projects that keep students engaged. Students further develop their imaginations and explore a wide variety of media such as watercolor, acrylic paint, oil pastels, paper maché and graphite. Students work in a creative environment that will strengthen their passion for art. Take a look at our photo album on our website for a ﬁrst-hand look at student work that is created in Art 7/8.

Open Dance 7/8 🟡

Open Dance 7/8 is offered as a yearlong elective for PE credit. In dance, students will develop proficiency in the areas of ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and Broadway style movements. To reduce the risk of injury, tumbling is not a primary part of this class. Classes will consist of barre work, warm-up, center floor work, and traveling progressions, which are all designed to increase flexibility, strength, and technique. Students will also learn to create original pieces of choreography to further develop performance confidence and expression. Prior dance experience is not required. Performance opportunities are optional. Class placement is lottery-based. An 8th grader who was not enrolled in Open Dance 7/8 in 7th grade will receive priority in the lottery. PE standards such as running the mile are part of this course.

Advanced Dance 7/8 🟡

Audition required for placement in this course. Previous dance experience recommended but not required. Email [email protected] in the spring for audition information.

The Advanced Dance 7/8 class offers the same opportunities as Open Dance 7/8, but with more challenging technique at a faster pace of learning. Performance opportunities are required. PE standards such as running the mile are part of this course.

Digital Art

In our year-long Digital Arts course, 7th and 8th grade students are introduced to various means of integrating art with technology. Topics covered include identity and brand development, editorial design, packaging, advertising, and electronic design including website and multimedia design. In addition, students will be introduced to the digital environment for digital arts; learning digital vocabulary, working with tablets and a stylus, scanning, saving, and file formats using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and other industry norm software. Take a look at our photo album on our class website for a first-hand look at student work that is created in Digital Arts.

Leadership

Students need to apply and be accepted into this course.

If accepted, students will plan events for the student body including rallies, dances, spirit weeks, and much more. They will also work toward enhancing campus culture for all students and contributing to the Los Gatos community and society. This class will provide students with leadership skills, collaboration techniques, and real-world situations and give them the opportunity to apply their skills and make a difference on the Fisher Campus.

STEAM 7/8 🟡

This project-based course will focus on the 21st-century skills required by careers of the future. Students begin the year with foundational knowledge in engineering design, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Students will apply these skills to both teacher directed and individual projects. Topics and projects may include green energy, electricity, simple coding/robotics, 3D printing, laser cutting, hydraulics, flight, and an introduction to manual and power tools with an emphasis on safety, communication, and teamwork. There are new topics every year, so students can take STEAM in both 7th and 8th grade.

Teacher’s Assistant (TA)

Video Production 🟡

Seventh and eighth grade students perform in front of the camera in this active course. Students will experience all aspects of video production including writing scripts, acting in front of the camera, directing from behind the camera, and editing it all together in a professional quality studio. While one focus of the class is creating the daily morning announcements, students will also have the opportunity to explore their own interests in shorter video projects. While students will plan and research on their Chromebooks, video production students will edit their videos with WeVideo. In addition, students will have access to recording equipment such as Canon and GoPro cameras, wireless microphones, and more. Creative students who like to act, tell stories, and work in small groups are encouraged to sign up. The independent nature of the class requires students who act with integrity and are trustworthy. Students signing up for this class must be comfortable reading scripts and performing to the entire school.

Yearbook & Journalism

The Fisher Yearbook staff work as a team to produce the RJF yearbook for their peers. Students will learn skills in photography, writing, reporting, interviewing, graphic design, and publication. Students will use web-based layout software to create the 180-page full-color book for the Fisher community. In addition to the yearbook, students may design and produce a newspaper/magazine that will be released monthly. These publications will teach the importance of deadlines, research, and responsibility.

World Language Electives

French (8th Grade)

This academic language course immerses students in French by providing continuous opportunities to listen, speak, read, and write while studying thematic units in culturally appropriate contexts. Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to participate in a basic conversation about their friends, school subjects, family/home, clothing/shopping, meals/foods, and sports/travel while indicating their preferences, likes and dislikes.

Students enrolling in French should meet the following prerequisite skills:

Minimum overall 2.5 GPA
Minimum grade of a B- in English for the ﬁrst three quarters of 7th grade.
Highly motivated student with academic integrity

This one-year course is equivalent to 1 year of high school French; therefore, students will be challenged with rigorous coursework and should be self-motivated to work independently. Students will have up to 10 to 20 minutes of homework on a daily (in addition to other classes). This course is appropriate for students with no prior knowledge of French AND students with some prior knowledge and/or basic familiarity with the language.

For entry into French 2 at Los Gatos High School, a grade of B or better each quarter of French in 8th grade is recommended. Students who complete one year of French at Fisher should sign up for French 2 at Los Gatos High School in 9th Grade.

Spanish (8th Grade)

This course develops skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish in a culturally appropriate context. At the end of this academic course, students will be able to have a basic conversation with others using appropriate greetings, talking about school subjects, family and friends, clothing and shopping, activities, sports, foods, cultural activities, and much more!

Students enrolling in Spanish should meet the following prerequisite skills:

Minimum overall 2.5 GPA
Minimum grade of a B in English for the ﬁrst three quarters of 7th grade.
Demonstrate independent academic behavior and self motivation.

This course is a High School level class. As an academic course, students who enroll will be challenged with rigorous coursework. Students should anticipate 15-20 minutes of homework on a daily basis. This is in addition to homework given in core classes.

Note 1: For entry into Spanish 2 at Los Gatos High School, a grade of B or better in each quarter during Spanish 1 year (8th grade) is required.

Note 2: If the student is planning to take Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish during High School the student MUST take Spanish 1 at Fisher.

Note 3: In addition, Spanish students who did not take Spanish 1 at Fisher and intend to begin Level 2 as freshmen will take a placement test. Placement may be determined by the results of this test plus teacher recommendation.

Music Electives

Beginning Band (6th-8th)

This class is for any student interested in learning to play a band instrument without previous experience on the instrument or with reading music. This class is appropriate for any student switching instruments or those new to band altogether. We will have several concerts and fun events planned for this class. It is never too late to learn an instrument - we welcome all grade levels in this class!

Band instruments are: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, baritone, tuba, and percussion (percussion students will play both bells and snare drum). Piano and guitar are not options for band (but we encourage piano and guitar players to pick a band instrument and join). All percussion students must pass a note reading test or select a different band instrument.

Trojan Band (6th-8th)

This course is open to 6th-8th grade students that have completed a beginning level band class or lessons on their band instrument. Students will focus on developing individual skills as well as reﬁning their ensemble playing. This class will perform at school concerts, assemblies, community events and music festivals throughout the year. Emphasis is placed on developing skills that prepare the student for advanced level ensemble class.

Band instruments are: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, baritone, tuba, and percussion (percussion students will play both bells and snare drum). Piano and guitar are not options for band (but we encourage piano and guitar players to pick a band instrument and join). All percussion students must pass a note reading test or select a different band instrument.

Audition Band Classes (6th-8th)

There are two audition band classes: Concert Band for the intermediate level (6th-8th) and Symphonic Band for the advanced level (7th-8th).

These classes are for students who have had prior experience playing in a band class, take private lessons, or have an intermediate to advanced proﬁciency on their instrument. Students should be able to play 2-4 major scales and a chromatic scale on their instrument. Percussionists should be proficient on mallets and snare. An enthusiastic attitude and a great work ethic are a must! These classes will perform often at an advanced level. Membership in these classes is contingent upon completing the prior year in Trojan Band or Concert Band, and/or an audition for new students or students wanting to skip a level. Band auditions are held in March and April. Please email Mrs. Ancheta at [email protected] to audition for either band.

Band instruments are: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, baritone, tuba, and percussion (percussion students will play both bells and snare drum). Piano and guitar are not options for band (but we encourage piano and guitar players to pick a band instrument and join). All percussion students must pass a note reading test or select a different band instrument.

Treble Choir (6th-8th) 🟡

This class is open to all students. The class will focus on basic performance skills, singing two-part and three-part music, vocal technique and musicianship. If you are new to Fisher or would like to improve your singing skills in a group setting, this is a great class for you. We will attend performances throughout the school year as well as perform a wide variety of music for the school and community.

Auditioned Choirs (6th-8th)

These classes are for students who have had prior experience singing in a choral ensemble, take private voice, or are active in community/school musical theatre productions. There are two auditioned choir classes: Cambiata and Bel Canto. Choir auditions are held in the spring and will determine placement in the appropriate class. The choirs will perform often at an advanced level. An enthusiastic attitude and a great work ethic are a must! Membership in these choirs is contingent upon auditions, previous experience in Fisher's Treble Choir, and/or teacher approval.

Musical Theater 🟡

Beginning Strings (6th-8th)

This class is for any student interested in learning to play a string instrument for the first time with no previous experience on the instrument or with reading music. This class is also appropriate for a current 5th grade student switching instruments in 6th grade OR a current 5th grade string player that needs more work on the foundation of holding the instrument and/or note reading. We will have several concerts and fun events planned for this class.