Electives Course Descriptions, Academic Opportunities, and Extracurricular Activities

Academic Decathlon (Team members applied and were selected in May)

Ms. McCormick Grades 7-8

“The Academic Junior High Decathlon is a competition for students in grades 6 through 8. There are ten events. Two are collaborative team efforts – a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems, and a super quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad academic themes. The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and Music). Awards are given for individual and team performance, and the winning school team from each geographic diocese competes in a national championship, usually held in April. “

Advanced Music

Ms. Cibotar Grades 6-8

This class is an opportunity for students to share their musical talents and improve their abilities. Be enrolling in the Advanced Music elective class, students can develop a deeper understanding of music theory which may be applied to playing the piano and bells. Throughout the school year the entire students body will be attending weekly parish Masses. This will afford the Advanced Music class students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by playing the piano and leading the congregation in songs. These students will also take part in prominent school events such as the Thanksgiving prayer Service, our school Christmas Program, and the Lenten Prayer Service.

Participation in this class requires students to have the desire, leadership ability to lead and enthusiastically participate in the Celebration of Eucharist, prayer services and musical events.

Music is joyful noise!

Mock Trial

TBA

This challenging elective will enable students to learn about our court system and trial procedure. We will learn about the different types of laws in our society, and we will understand why we need laws. After learning about the court system itself, we will practice at least two trials. You will learn the roles of the judge, the attorneys, the parties, the jury, the witnesses, and the bailiff. Students will write and then present opening statements, direct examinations, cross-examinations, and closing statements. Students will apply logical thinking, performance, and creative writing skills.

Spanish

Mrs. Gamache

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to OLA Spanish! You will learn to speak Spanish in everyday situations while acquiring the basics you need to succeed in High School Spanish: grammar fundamentals, good pronunciation, and a working vocabulary. My aim is for you to learn, boost your confidence and have fun!

This course will emphasize correct pronunciation, basic verbs and verb tenses, and an ability to identify and discuss yourself and your family. We will enrich what you learn by exposing you to Hispanic culture and traditions. We may go out to eat, attend a cultural event, listen to Latin Rock or Pop, and learn about Hispanic Catholic traditions in the U.S., Spain and Latin America.

Students will have the opportunity to go deeper in their learning of the Spanish language through the Rosetta Stone Computer Program , which will be an at home, and sometimes in class, supplement to the curriculum.

Math Lab GRADES 6, 7, AND 8

Mrs. McKay

This class is a support class for students in Mrs. McKay’s math classes. Students who would like to improve their math performance or feel they are in need of additional support to enhance their success in their regular math class are encouraged to sign up for this class. This class will require no additional homework, and students will, on occasion, be given a chance to begin their class homework with Ms. McKay’s support. In order to meet the needs of students most in need of this support, class size will be limited.

Advanced Art

Ms. Blanchfield

This year at Our Lady of the Assumption School, we will be offering the elective, Advanced Art which meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 220-250pm. This class is designed to build on drawing and painting skills. Much of the work in the beginning of the year will be done in a sketchbook (provided). Three to four larger projects will be completed that will include a graphite drawing, a colored pencil drawing, OpArt, and a self-portrait in ink. In the spring, students will be introduced to digital art and we will explore some of the wonderful digital painting programs available online. This is designed to be a self-directed course with one-on-one coaching by Ms. Blanchfield. These digital art skills serve as a bridge to industry standard software such as Photo Shop and Adobe Creative Cloud that students might encounter in high school and college art classes.

Because this is a brand-new course at OLA, we will continuously be working to make adjustments and improvements that will allow us to offer students a varied and valuable experience.

Leadership

Mr. Love and Mr. Vidal

The Leadership course will ground students in leadership theory and provide a platform for students put the theory into practice.

Theory: Students will learn about leadership styles, habits of leadership, frameworks for success, core values, and situational leadership.

Practice: Students will use parliamentary procedure to effectively run meetings; plan events such as noontime activities and rallies,

Because this is a brand-new course at OLA, we will continuously be working to make adjustments and improvements that will allow us to offer students a varied and valuable experience.