Performing Arts
Concert/Symphonic Band (Year Long)
This class is designed for those with at least one year of musical training. Students must provide their own instruments if they play flute, clarinet, sax, trombone, or trumpet. This will be a performing group. Students will be able to audition for the marching band.
Jazz Band (Year Long)
Audition Required
This course is designed for those who have an interest in the area of jazz. We will explore some history of jazz and learn the techniques of improvisations. This will be a performing group. Students who play the trumpet, trombone and sax will perform with the marching band.
Chorus 7/8 (Year Long)
Chorus 7/8 students will continue learning more about how to use their vocal instrument to create a correct and pleasing singing sound. Students will learn intermediate vocal production and technique, Students will also learn intermediate music reading skills, sight-singing skills, and performance skills (both solo and in groups). Students will study a variety of musical styles from different genres, cultures and time periods. Chorus 7/8 offers opportunities for students to develop team building, leadership and personal responsibility skills. Students will have an opportunity to go on field trips to perform and learn about music outside of their own school and community. This is a performance-based class. Participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is REQUIRED.
Strings 7/8 (Year Long)
Beginning String Orchestra
In this course attention is focused on introductory music fundamentals, technical achievement, and acquisition of performance and rehearsal skills through exposure to a variety of music literature. Orchestra is open to students at all levels of expertise who wish to extend their knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of music by learning to play a string instrument. Students will perform in a variety of performances throughout the school year. Attendance at all performances is mandatory.
Speech (Semester Long)
Students challenge themselves in this presentation course as they develop a full range of speaking skills. The active learning environment requires students to prepare for life beyond high school by researching, organizing and delivering informative and persuasive speeches, debates, and panel discussions. Structures provided enable students to transfer skills to writing construction and critical thinking in all disciplines.
Drama (Semester Long)
Emphasis in this class will be on all aspects of theatre: improvisation, physical theatre/mime, character creation, play writing, history (including Shakespeare), stagecraft and performance of student written productions. Students showing promise MAY have the opportunity to participate in the school play with Advanced Drama, which is a full-scale production in the Fall and in the spring. This class is open to all 7th and 8th graders. (School play rehearsals take place after school several weeks before a performance and are mandatory).
Advanced Drama (Year Long)
Emphasis in this class will be on all aspects of theatre: improvisation, physical theatre/mime, character creation, play writing, history (including Shakespeare), stagecraft and performance of student written productions. Students accepted into this call WILL perform in all school productions throughout the year. This class is open to all 7th and 8th graders. (School play rehearsals take place after school several weeks before a performance and are mandatory)Teacher recommendation is required.
Visual Arts
Art Exploration (Semester Long)
Art Exploration is a creative environment where students are provided with hands-on opportunities to develop and expand their artistic potential. Students will be introduced to the elements and principles of art. They will explore both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional techniques where they will be using a wide variety of media and tools. All artistic abilities are fostered.
Industrial Tech (Semester Long)
Do you like to design, build and test contractions? Are you a fan of creative, problem solving and investigation? If so, the Industrial Tech class is for you! In Industrial Tech, the students will compete with other groups in the class. The emphasis in this elective is engineering, science and a lot of fun! Some of the “STEM” challenges students will encounter are the Egg Drop, Bottle Rocket, Bridge Building, Glider Launch, as well as many others. We will also compete in mini-challenges such as paper airplane building, catapult contests, and tower building. Come join the fun and learning in Industrial Tech!
Woodshop (Semester Long)
In this class, you will learn basic wood working skills and techniques. You will also learn about how structures are built, how rockets are propelled, and you will also learn about drafting and design.
Learn about rocket propulsions while launching Co2 cars down the hallway of the H building. Learn how to follow plans while constructing your own gumball machine. Build a balsa wood bridge and then crush it in a structural analyzer. Have fun while applying practical application of Math and Science to your learning. Students keep all projects. A donation of $25 is request
World Languages
French 1A (Year Long)
7th grade
French 1 A is an introduction to the French language. Students will learn French through skits, songs, art, reading, writing, games, food puppets and conversation. There will be homework 3-4 nights per week. This course covers the first half of the high school French 1 class. Students who complete French 1A successfully qualify for French 1B in eighth grade. Together these courses satisfy one year of the world language high school graduation requirement. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 to apply for this class, as well as no D’s or F’s in core academic classes.
French 1B (Year Long)
8th grade
Prerequisite, French 1A
French 1B is a continuation of French 1A. This class covers the second half of the high school French 1 class. Students who successfully complete this course will enter French 2 in high school, and will have satisfied one year of the two year world language high school graduation requirement. This class has homework 3-4 days per week. Students must maintain an Academic GPA of 2.5 to apply for this class, as well as have no D’s or F’s in core academic classes.
French 1 (Year Long)
8th grade Only
Prerequisite, French 1A
This class, is highly motivated and moves at the same pace as a high school class. Highly motivated, conscientious 8th graders should enroll in this fast paced, academic class. Homework will be given 4 nights per week. Students who complete this course with a “B” average will enter French 2 in high school and will have satisfied one year of the two-year world language high school graduation requirement. Students must have a minimum academic GPA of 3.0 to qualify for this class, as well as have no D’s and F’s in core academic classes.
Spanish 1 (Year Long)
8th grade Only
This class is highly motivated, conscientious and independent learners should enroll in the fast-paced academic class. This class has homework 4 nights per week. Assessments will be given 1-2 times per week. We will go through the same Spanish 1 course given at the high school. Students who successfully complete this course with a “B” average will enter into Spanish 2 in high school and will have successfully completed one year of the two-year foreign language high school graduation requirement. Students must have a minimum Academic GPA of 3.0, as well as no D’s or F’s in core academic classes to apply for this class. (Note: Native Spanish speakers should take a placement test before enrolling in this class to determine placement at the proper level at WMS or DHS.)
PLTW
What is PLTW?
Middle school is the perfect time for students to explore and learn that there is more than one way to reach a solution. PLTW Gateway provides engineering, biomedical science, and computer science curriculum for middle school students that challenges, inspires, and offers schools variety and flexibility. Students get rigorous and relevant experiences through activity-, project-, and problem-based learning. They use industry-leading technology to solve problems while gaining skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
PLTW- Introduction to Computer Science (Semester Long)
Two modules together form Introduction to Computer Science. These modules provide a gentle introduction to computer science for grades 6-9. Integrating math, science, and digital citizenship, the course increases student competency with safe use of the Internet, digital artifacts, and programming. In ICS1, students create Android applications using MIT App Inventor. In ICS2, they build confidence with text-based programming using Python to play strategy games. Students learn to model, simulate, and explore data of interest, and they create an Android application to generate useful information.
PLTW- Gateway to Technology (GTT) – Design and Modeling (Semester Long)
7th grade & 8th grade
This Project Lead the Way course aims to encourage 7th grade students to consider careers as scientists, technology experts, engineers, mathematicians, healthcare providers, and researchers. The course challenges and engages students with lessons that emphasize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The curriculum is activities-oriented and it will challenge and engage your natural curiosity. The 7th grade unit that will be covered is Design and Modeling (What is Engineering, Design Process, Measurement, Sketching and Dimensioning, Designing for Production). GTT units are designed to spark interest in STEM subjects and prepare you for further study in high school where you will continue on to engineering study with the Pathway to Engineering (PTE) Academy, intended for grades nine through twelve. Dublin High School has been offering PTE for a few years, and they are ready for students to continue on toward their engineering placement in college. This will be the first time this course is offered to 7th grade only at Wells, with the most interested students continuing on to the Automation and Robotics, full year class as 8th graders.
PLTW- Gateway to Technology (GTT) Automation and Robotics (Semester Long)
7th grade & 8th grade
This Project Lead the Way course aims to encourage 8th grade students to consider careers as scientists, technology experts, engineers, mathematicians, healthcare providers, and researchers. The course challenges and engages students with lessons that emphasize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The curriculum is activities-oriented and it will challenge and engage your natural curiosity. The Automation and Robotics Module (What is Automation and Robotics, Mechanical Systems, Automated Systems) is designed to span an interest in STEM subjects and prepare you for further study.
AVID
AVID (Year Long)
7th grade & 8th grade
AVID is an acronym for “Advancement Via Individual Determination”. Students are usually selected to enroll in and AVID class after an application process. For one class period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Certain requirements must be met. Invitation and application is required.
Leadership (Year Long)
Leadership (Year Long)
7th grade & 8th grade
This elective course is for creative, self-starting, enthusiastic students who thrive on hard work and responsibility. Leadership is open to all 7th and 8th graders in good standing (academic, behavior, attendance). Students will organize dances, spirit weeks, fundraisers, lunchtime activities and other school wide programs. Students will discuss and brainstorm different school-related issues that need to be addressed and solved using their leadership skills. Students must complete an application to be considered (application is attached to this handbook)
Yearbook/Journalism (Year Long)
Yearbook/Journalism (Year Long)
In thirty years, middle school will be but a jumble of memories, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. You’ll find yourself looking back on these memories, but you won’t remember everything. Your yearbook class is there for you, capturing every moment, and putting every event into a perfect string of words. In this class, you will learn about writing skills, and how to put them to use when it comes to writing copy. You’ll learn how to properly take photos that capture exactly what’s happening, follow the photography rule of thirds, and are properly focused. Not to mention, you get to run all over campus, talk to your fellow peers, and be a small part in something so big. The kids who participate in creating such a meaningful memory are the ones who show true Roadrunner Pride. Combining journalism, photography, and campus networking, this class is the epitome of hard work.
Photography
Photography I (Semester Long)
This digital photography class will explore the many facets of digital imagery. Students are expected to produce and preserve images that paint a picture, tell a story, or record an event. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of basic and technical editing strategies and techniques through the use of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. This digital photography program will deepen the understanding of composition and image design; focusing on color, light, theory, and practical applications. Students will also explore photography and design careers. Class grade will be based on weekly photography assignments, photography reviews, and quizzes. Students will have access to a limited number of WMS cameras during school hours only. Students should have access to a SLR or DSLR camera at home. A $25 donation is requested for students 32 gb SD card. Students may also provide their own.
Photography II (Semester Long)
Prerequisite, successful completion of Photography I with a B or better. This advanced digital photography class will explore the many facets of digital imagery, design, manipulation and presentation. Students are expected to produce and preserve images that paint a picture, tell a story, or record an event. Students will use advance technical editing strategies and techniques through the use of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Students will create a photography portfolio and will be expected to create and design a series of images for public presentation and competition. Students will learn about professionally printing images and have the opportunity to print their work for show. Students will have access to a limited number of WMS cameras during school hours only. Students should have access to a SLR or DSLR camera at home. A $35 donation is requested for students 32 gb SD card and image printing. Students may also provide their own card.
Maker Academy(Year Long)
Maker Academy (Semester Long)
Makerspaces focus on hands-on product based learning, mentors and cutting edge technology to encourage students to explore, collaborate, innovate and make. Teens make and create products to sell or create businesses, and achieve goals.