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7th/8th Grade Elective Catalog
Below are the electives that are offered for students during the 2021-2022 school year at Thomas Russell Middle School. Please use this guide when selecting your top 3 choices. There is no guarantee you will be placed in the course of your choice. Some students will be placed in particular classes based on test scores and/or educational needs, or space availability.
If a course has an asterisk (*) by it, an application is REQUIRED to sign up for that class. The application link will be included below the the class description. Course with applications are due Friday, April 16th to be considered.
***STUDENTS WILL SELECT THEIR TOP 3 ELECTIVE CHOICES DURING THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S MIDDLE SCHOOL PRESENTATION THE WEEK OF MARCH 22-26.***
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Roberts (Russell School Counselor), at lroberts@musd.org.
LEADERSHIP
Would you like to help plan school rallies, dances and lunch time activities. Do you want to make TRMS a fun place to go to school? Then leadership is for you. The Leadership Class is a year-long elective that is open to students who are highly motivated to improve their leadership skills by their involvement in school activities and events, student government, student and staff recognition programs, and other forms of service that benefit the students and staff of Thomas Russell Middle School.
Contact: Mr. Resngit at aresngit@musd.org for questions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST FILL OUT A SEPARATE APPLICATION AND A TEACHER EVALUATION
Due Date: Friday, April 16th
ART EXPLORATION
Want to learn how to draw, paint and make three dimensional (3d) art? Then the art room at Russell is the place for you! In this year- long elective class you will learn how to express yourself and learn about art using a variety of materials like: soft pastel, watercolors, acrylic paints, paper mache’, clay and more. This art class is for everybody: students who never tried art and those that already enjoy making art!
ETHNIC STUDIES
Students will gain an understanding of issues that affect us on local, national, and international levels. Students will make connections on how our historic past has shaped our present culture, and will come to their own conclusions on what must be done to positively affect our world. Students examine issues of identity, participation in society, and legacy through a series of readings, videos, activities, and reflections.
CHORUS
No experience required. Any student wanting to sing is able to join. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day.
BAND
Minimum 1 year prior experience required. An audition is NOT required to be in band! Auditions are only required to be placed into the ‘higher’ band class, Symphonic Band. All students who do not audition will be placed into Concert Band. Students are encouraged to move to a different instrument they did not have the chance to play in elementary school. These instruments include: Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, or Tuba. Few instrument rentals are available. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day.
Contact: Mr. Beckel at bbeckel@musd.org for questions.
STRING ORCHESTRA
No experience required! Any student who wants to learn to play violin, viola, cello or double bass are encouraged to join. This course is designed for students of all experience levels. Instrument rentals are available for cello and double bass, and very few violas. This is a year-long course with required performances outside of the regular school day.
Contact: Mr. Beckel at bbeckel@musd.org for questions.
QUEST
Quest for Success is a year-long elective with lessons in basic hand sewing skills, beginning cooking and baking skills, basic gardening, the importance of Recycling for a better world, awareness of the deaf culture and an introduction to sign language. Other areas that may be covered, but not limited to, are improving study habit skills, interpersonal relationships and improving higher thinking skills. (Nuts, eggs and wheat products are used in this class.)
YEARBOOK
Write, create and publish the 2020-2021 yearbook! Learn the basics of creating a yearbook including: photography, graphic design, write stories and captions, and learn organizational skills, marketing and sales skills, and how to manage deadlines. You will have a lot of fun and forget that you’re learning so many new skills!
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
MUST FILL OUT A SEPARATE APPLICATION
Due Date: Friday, April 16th
Contact: Mr. Dinh at adinh@musd.org for questions.