Electives
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6th Grade Elective Courses
Debut Band (Year-long)
This is a beginner-level band that teaches the basic elements of music playing skills and is an introduction to instrumental music. Most Debut Band students are learning to play their first musical instrument, but it is also an option for students with prior musical experience who have not played a band instrument. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a workbook and music. Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and an instrument will be provided if you are unable to cover the cost of instrument rental.
Concert Choir (Year-long)
This ensemble introduces choral concepts as students learn to sing in an environment that fosters community and teaches them how to navigate their developing voices. Literature performed during the year will specifically cater to students’ vocal ranges and interests and will allow us to explore music from cultures around the world. No prior experience or ability to read music is required: this is the class to develop those skills! There is a $25 course fee to purchase a Choir Shirt, folder, and music. Financial assistance is available to cover this fee.
 
Semester-long Courses
Students who do not participate in band or choir will choose two semester-long courses designed to give students variety, help them discover areas of interest, and have experiences in different content areas. The four courses currently offered are:
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Art Exploration – Ready to grow your creativity and imagination? Students will explore a variety of materials, including clay, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal. Discover the visual arts and how to use them as an expressive form of communication. Become a maker through cartooning, collage, ceramics, print making (carving rubber blocks to make your own stamps), and more! Learn about the design process and create projects you'll be proud of and have fun making!
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Digital Design – People use technology to create amazing things! We will explore being both engineers and artists in this class. As engineers, we will code video games, 3D model, and design solutions to problems. As artists, we will use computers to do pixel art, animation, digital painting, and more. Then we can bring our work into the real world with laser cutters, a Cricut cutter, 3D printers, and a giant poster printer. Let’s make something great!
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Drama – Craft imaginary worlds, bring characters to life, and create memorable and meaningful moments. Through research, creative problem solving, and improvisation, students design and perform scenes that explore genres like science fiction, historical fiction, musicals, and more. Students will shape characters, create atmospheres, and develop key performance skills while integrating costume, light, and set design. Field trip opportunities will be explored to introduce students to live theatre.
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Makers Lab – Innovators are the minds behind many of today's technologies. They find new ways to turn imagination into reality. Students will be introduced to engineering concepts and the design process through creating with materials like cardboard, KEVA planks, K’nex, paper, and cloth. Explore building towers, race cars, arcade games, simple machines, and more!
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7th and 8th Grade Elective Courses
2D Art: What Is That? (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
Students will gain a deeper understanding of the application of Art Elements and Design Principles as they use non-traditional materials to make 2-dimensional art. Printmaking, woodburning, mosaic, and collage will be explored using coffee, tape, yarn, sand, beans, and seeds along with paint, graphite, pastels and paint. Famous artists, art movements, art history and art vocabulary will be explored.
3D Art: Art with a Purpose (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
Students will focus on the artistic elements of form and space by designing and creating 3-dimensional art. Media will include clay, cardboard, plaster, wire, and papier-mâché to create functional artworks. Student voice will also be part of the multi-step, process-based projects. Installation art, as well as historical and cultural aspects of sculpture and form will be explored. 
Concert Band (Year-long – Grades 7, 8)
This class is for students who participated in Debut Band or Premier Band during6th grade. Concert Band is designed for students with at least one year of previous band experience. In this set, students will begin to be more responsible for individual preparation. There are 3 evening performances during the school year. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a music and cover other expenses; Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and the cost of the instrument.
Concert Choir (Year-long – Grades 7, 8)
This ensemble introduces choral concepts as students learn to sing in an environment that fosters community and teaches them how to navigate their developing voices. Literature performed during the year will specifically cater to students’ vocal ranges and interests and will allow us to explore music from cultures around the world. No prior experience or ability to read music is required: this is the class to develop those skills! There is a $25 course fee to purchase a Choir Shirt, folder, and music. Financial assistance is available to cover this fee.
Debut Band (Year-long – Grades 6, 7, 8)
This is a beginner-level band that teaches the basics of music playing skills and is an introduction to instrumental music. Most Debut Band students are learning to play their first musical instrument, but it is also an option for students with previous musical experience who have not played a band instrument. There is a $25 course fee to purchase a workbook and music. Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and an instrument will be provided if you cannot cover the cost of instrument rental.
Digital Art (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
Create art with computers! We will make pixel art to make characters and animations. We will learn digital painting to make beautiful landscapes filled with fantasy. We’ll make vector art that can be turned into laser cuts and stickers. We’ll use programs like Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer to create animal fusions and movie posters. We’ll do art in 3D by sculpting from “digital clay”, then we’ll 3D print it!
Drama (Semester-long – Grades 6, 7, 8)
Craft imaginary worlds, bring characters to life, and create memorable and meaningful moments. Through research, creative problem solving, and improvisation, students design and perform scenes that explore genres like science fiction, historical fiction, musicals, and more. Students will shape characters, create atmospheres, and develop key performance skills while integrating costume, light, and set design. Field trip opportunities will be explored to introduce students to live theatre. 
Engineering and Design (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
In this class we start with ideas, draw them on paper, model them with computers, and then build them. We learn to code minicomputers called Arduinos to control lights and musical instruments. We use design software to create a perfect house or city, then with the help of a laser cutter we build them. Your ideas come true!
Leadership (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
Do you want to develop your leadership strengths, build your character, serve others, and make a positive difference at Tolt? This course offers real-life opportunities to develop and practice skills in showing kindness, compassion, and empathy. We will have fun as we learn how to be inspiring leaders in school and in our community. Come ready to transform the lives of others!
Peer Tutor (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
This elective is designed for responsible and caring students who want to gain skills and experience in serving as positive role models at school. Peer mentors assist students in the Life Skills Program (Special Education) in reading, math, writing, social skills, life skills, and in elective classes such as PE and Art.
Physical Education (Semester-long – Grades 6, 7, 8 – 1 semester required for each grade)
Step into a world of movement, fun, and personal growth in our Physical Education class! Tolt PE is for students of all athletic skill levels and will provide the opportunity to discover your strengths, set goals, and build confidence in a supportive setting with both competitive and non-competitive play. With a curriculum designed to foster physical skill development and personal wellness, you'll explore fitness activities, engage in exciting games, and build habits for a healthy lifestyle. Join us and discover the joy of movement and the camaraderie of sportsmanship in Tolt PE!
Robotics (Semester-long – Grades 7, 8)
Let's build robots! We will build robot animals, carnival games, racing bots, and sumo bots. Control your robots yourself with controllers or use sensors and code to make them act on their own. We use VEX IQ kits to build robots. Learn to bring your ideas to life and become an engineer!
Spanish 1 (Year-long – Grade 8)
Students learn Spanish by listening, speaking, and writing with the use of a textbook, workbooks, CDs, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, interactive partner-based activities, and one-on-one presentations aimed at teaching basic vocabulary and grammar. Spanish culture is also studied. Students earn high school credit for this course.
Symphonic Band (Year-long – Grade 8)
This upper-level ensemble class is for students who participated in Concert Band. Symphonic Band is designed for students with at least two years of previous band experience. In addition to musical skills, this class teaches students leadership skills and how to work as part of a team. There are evening performances throughout the year, including performance with the Cedarcrest HS Band! There is a $25 course fee to purchase music and participate in festivals; Financial assistance is available to cover the course fee and the cost of the instrument.
Yearbook/Publications (Year-long – Grades 7, 8 – Selection through application process)
This class focuses on using technology and creativity to complete a variety of projects. While the making of the TMS yearbook takes center stage, other projects include websites and videos. Students will develop professional skills while learning and using design, digital photography, resume writing, and video production.  Team members must be able to manage time and stress well, work independently and in groups and, above all, have a positive attitude and a strong desire to create. Students can retake this course. There is a $35 course fee to purchase the yearbook. Financial assistance is available.
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