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Kastner Intermediate

Part of the Clovis Unified School District

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  2. Electives
  3. Other Electives

Other Electives

Electives offered at Kastner

Attached are a list of all the electives offered at Kastner.  Some are year long electives and some are semester long electives (half of a school year.)  After reviewing all of your options, students will select their top 3 choices and enter the corresponding course request electronically via student connect.

If your elective selections require an application, letter of recommendation, or try-out  process, placement in these courses is based upon completing the correct paperwork and being selected by the advisor or coach (you are not guaranteed placement as application electives are highly competitive.)

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Semester Long Electives

The following classes are offered for one semester only (half of the school year).  Once the 1st semester concludes, students will be given a 2nd semester class.  Due to electives being offered in different periods we can not guarantee which 2nd semester elective they will be given, any elective from the list below is a possibility depending on enrollment and teacher availability.

Beginning Drama
Film Studies
Art
Ceramics
Interactive Animation & Games
Teen Living /  Keyboarding

Art & Ceramics

Art  (7th & 8th Grade) 

Art introduces students to a variety of drawing, painting and design skills, and sculpture techniques.  It is designed to provide each student with the opportunity to attain skills to express him/herself creatively, to respond to visual elements in the environment, to understand the cultural origins of art; and to analyze, interpret and evaluate art.

Ceramics  (7th & 8th Grade)                      

This course provides beginning foundation in the basic techniques for creative ceramic making. Emphasis is placed upon functional as well as aesthetic design and good craftsmanship.

Robert Lowder

Interactive Animation & Games

Interactive Animation and Games (7th & 8th Grade)

In the Interactive Animations and Games class, students learn to code in Game Lab as they create programmatic images, animations, interactive art, and games. String off with simple, primitive shapes and building up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, students become familiar with the programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. They then learn how these simpler constructs can be combined to create more complex programs. In the final projects, students develop a personalized, interactive program. Along the way, they practice design, testing and iteration, as they come to see that failure and debugging are an expected and valuable part of the programming process. Tyson Frye

Film Studies

Film Studies (7th & 8th Grade)

This is a course that focuses on the historical study of film in America. We will view some of the earliest films before sound, and examine the life of the actors, directors, and writers involved. Students will watch films from different genres and will be required to complete reflections and critiques which will enhance their writing.

Alexis Accardo or Dennis Moebes

Teen Living / Keyboarding

Home economic course for the 21st century.  Teen Living is a hands-on semester course introducing the main home economic areas. Units of study include nutrition, food preparation, self-esteem development, and decision making.  Money management, job skills, and clothing care.  (Teen Living is paired with Keyboarding)

Keyboarding

This course is intended for students who desire keyboarding skills that will enable them to use a computer efficiently.  Students will master the touch method of keying the alphabetic and number keys and the numeric keypad.  Students will have some exposure to basic computer applications and skills. (Keyboarding is paired with Teen Living)

Year Long Electives (Both Fall & Spring Semesters)

The following electives students will take for the entire school year.

Physical Education –PE Strength and Conditioning 

Students in PE Strength and Condition will have an opportunity to improve muscular strength and endurance. Students will study the muscular and cardiovascular systems, nutritional aspects of fitness and assess body composition. Students will still complete PE fitness testing, run the mile, and participate in PE units.

Colorguard

Colorguard: (7th & 8th Grade)

Colorguard members participate in two dance recitals during the year and all colorguard members participate in the competitive winterguard during second semester.  The colorguard is also part of any parades in which the Kastner bands participate and they will also perform at the CUSD Band Night. There will be a try-out day for students interested in joining the colorguard, students will be notified following try-outs if they have been selected to be on the team.  There are after-school and weekend practices, as well as performances which are all mandatory to attend.  This is a year-long course. Grace Sledd

Flyer for Kastner Intermediate Colorguard Class with text, group photo, and colorguard uniform illustrations.

Leadership

Leadership 

Pre-Requisite:  Application required to register

Leadership is designed to allow students to participate in the planning and execution of a variety of school functions and activities. This course is designed to strengthen the Character Counts! program at Kastner by providing leadership opportunities for students that include school service, school/community involvement, goal setting, communication building, problem solving applications, and creating an understanding and appreciation for diversity within our school community. COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS ARE REQUIRED OUTSIDE OF THE COURSE.  There are a limited number of spots available in this courses so all applications will be reviewed by course advisors.

Leadership Media (Video Production)

Pre-Requisite:  Application required to register

Throughout this course students will be utilizing critical thinking and interpersonal skills to develop and produce video based projects. Students will be supporting school wide goals and experiences. Leadership Media students will gain skills in video editing through the use of video editing software, as well as develop skills related to sound and lightning. These students will produce, direct, and broadcast a variety of school based videos. COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS ARE REQUIRED OUTSIDE OF THE COURSE.  There are a limited number of spots available in this courses so all applications will be reviewed by course advisors.  Dave Castle

Collaborating Mentoring

Collaborative Mentoring: (8th Grade) 

Pre-Requisite: Application required  to register 

This course is designed for students who desire to help others with special needs.  These general education students are what we refer to as Mentor.  Mentor students will work one on one with a special education student in elective courses.  Mentors will develop leadership skills, learn problem solving skills, and behavior management techniques.  Mentor students will assist their partner with projects in their elective course.  Dava Parks

Computer Science Discoveries

Computer Science Discoveries (This course is a prerequisite for 8th Grade Robotics)

This course is an introductory computer science course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun.  It is an accessible and engaging course for all students, regardless of background or prior experience.  The course focuses on the skills that enable students to create and express themselves in a variety of contexts and media. Whether they are developing their own website, designing an app, building a game, or creating a physical computing device, students bring their ideas to life.  Karson Allen

Zero Period PE

Physical Education- Zero Period : (7th & 8th Grade)

Pre-Requisite : In order to be accepted into Zero Period, students must be enrolled in two performing arts (Instrumental Music and/or Choir) classes, or accepted into an application elective (Leadership, Peer Counseling, AVID, Robotics, Yearbook) as well as participating in a performing arts course (Instrumental Music and/or Choir). 

      *Students will be expected to be dressed out and ready to participate, 5 days a week.  Zero Period PE begins @ 6:45 a.m.  These courses fulfill a students' PE requirements.

Barbara Bethel Dorr or Larry Brown

Peer Counseling

Peer counseling is a program in which students are trained to help fellow intermediate students with problems faced in adolescence.  The goal is not to give advice, but to guide others to develop their own solutions to problem situations.  Student leadership skills are also emphasized.  A training session is required.

Peer Counseling Coordinator: Riley Warner

Spanish

Spanish  1: (8th Grade)  

Spanish 1 is an introduction to the language.  Vocabulary and grammatical structures will be presented through the thematic units with emphasis on oral, listening, reading, and writing expressions.  Students will develop an appreciation for Hispanic culture and the influence throughout the world.  Students who complete this course with 85% or higher and are passing AB, Math, and Science with A's and B's can go on to Spanish II.  Ryan Walker

Robotics

Robotics:  (7th  & 8th Grade)

Pre-requisite: Application required to register

This course is designed for students who are interested in the F.L.L. First Lego League and computer programing.  This course will incorporate the study and programming of robots, design of Lego robots, programming of robots and robotics competitions. Participating in this course will offer students an opportunity to try-out for our competitive robotics team.  There are a limited number of spots available in this course so all applications will be reviewed by course advisors and students will be notified whether or not they have been selected for the course.  Bridgette Jaurique

Who teaches which electives?

Robert Lowder: Ceramics, Advanced Art, Art

Anukina Garrison: Beginning Drama, Inter. Drama, Advanced Drama 

Alexis Accardo or Dennis Moebes: Film Studies 

Tyson Frye: Interactive Animation Games  

Ryan Walker: Spanish 1 

Bridgette Jaurique: Robotics

Karson Allen: Computer Science Discoveries

Dorothy Francis: Teen Living / Keyboarding