Elective Classes
Curtis Inge Middle School · Enrollment
Elective Classes
Electives are where CIMS students explore who they are — on the stage, in the shop, on the field, and everywhere in between. Browse offerings by grade below; questions about placement or enrollment can go to our counselors.
6th Grade Electives
Chorus
Designed for students interested in a singing and performance class. Students participate in music contests and concerts for school and the community, studying a variety of music styles along with music theory and vocal technique. A high standard of concert-style performance is required.
Band
Sixth graders can sign up for band by choosing Beginning Woodwind/Percussion or Beginning Brass. Band classes require each student to maintain a working instrument; information about acquiring one is provided to students and families. Placement in flute or percussion requires a test given to interested students at the end of 5th grade.
Beginning Woodwind / Percussion (Band)
For students beginning a woodwind or percussion instrument for the first time. Choices are flute, clarinet, or percussion; students who want to play oboe, bassoon, or saxophone start here on flute or clarinet. Directors evaluate and talk with every interested student to help ensure placement on the instrument most likely to guarantee success.
Brass (Band)
For students beginning a brass instrument for the first time. Choices are trumpet or trombone. Directors evaluate and talk with every interested student to help ensure placement on the instrument most likely to guarantee success.
Explore
Explore classes are taught by several sixth-grade teachers, each concentrating on a particular theme or subject. Each class lasts one semester, so every student gets two different Explore classes during the year. Current Explore courses:
- Technology Education I — an introduction to TE in 7th and 8th grade and to vocational classes available at an area technology center starting junior year. Areas of instruction may include drafting, laser technology, electronics, problem solving, screen printing, career search, aerospace, animation, audio visual, and robotics.
- Physical Education (Co-Ed) — introduces the basic rules and skills of sports and activities, with a short classroom introduction and written test for each section. Students dress out and participate daily.
- Health and Wellness — factors that influence health and wellness through diet, nutrition, and physical activity, with lessons on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and social and emotional health.
- Creative Writing — develop your own writing talents across genres including short stories, poetry, nonfiction, journals, memoirs, mysteries, fairy tales, and comics.
- Hunting and Fishing — the equipment, techniques, and fundamentals of hunting and fishing.
- Engineering — fundamental engineering concepts including problem solving, mechanical design, and the engineering planning process.
- Web Design and Digital Communication — the basics of computer programming through project-based experiences with website design, app development, and cybersecurity.
- World Cultures — the people, development, standards of living, belief systems, governments, economies, food, language, art, and pop culture of major societies across the globe.
- Investigating FACS — skills and topics for healthy personal development: values, ethics, leadership, goal-setting, decision-making, problem-solving, dealing with emotions, learning to cook, good grooming, and personal safety.
- Character Counts — the pillars of character: trustworthiness, fairness, respect, responsibility, caring, and citizenship, with community service activities and character-building curriculum.
7th & 8th Grade Electives
Athletic & Competitive Sports
Competitive sports classes for boys and girls. In yearlong courses, students are expected to participate throughout the year; in both yearlong and semester courses, students dress out and participate every day. Practices are held before and/or after school, a physical is required before participation begins, and students must be passing all classes to remain in athletics.
- Boys Basketball (these students also enroll in the FAAST Program — see below)
- Girls Basketball
- Girls Volleyball (semester 1)
- Girls Track (semester 2)
- Girls Soccer
FAAST Program: the following athletic classes are assigned to our strength and training class, with individual practice times varying after the school day:
- Boys Track / Cross Country
- Boys Wrestling
- Boys Football
- Boys Baseball
Beginning Woodwind (Band)
For students beginning a woodwind instrument for the first time. Choices are flute and clarinet; students who want oboe, bassoon, or saxophone start here on flute or clarinet. Directors evaluate every interested student to help ensure placement on the instrument most likely to guarantee success.
Beginning Brass / Percussion (Band)
For students beginning a brass or percussion instrument for the first time. Choices are trumpet, trombone, baritone, and bells; students who want tuba, French horn, or percussion start on one of those four. Directors evaluate every interested student to help ensure the best placement.
Woodwind (Band)
For students who have completed Beginning Woodwind.
Brass / Percussion (Band)
For students who have completed Beginning Brass/Percussion.
Chorus
Designed for students interested in a singing and performance class. Students participate in music contests and concerts for school and the community, studying a variety of musical styles along with music theory and vocal technique. A high standard of concert-style performance is required.
Physical Education (Co-Ed)
For students not enrolled in athletic sports. Presented in sections of one to four weeks, the course introduces the basic rules and skills of sports and activities, with a short classroom introduction and written test for each section. Students dress out and participate daily.
Current Events
The events that shape our world, nation, state, and local community, through project-based learning in reading, video, lecture, discussion, research, and personal experience.
Greenhouse Ag
Get your hands dirty and learn lessons in botany, plant growth, landscaping, crop production, and plant and greenhouse management along the way.
Intro to Spanish
A one-semester course that prepares students for Spanish I (or a trip to Mexico!). Learn new Spanish words in a fun, relaxed atmosphere, focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Performing Arts
An introduction to the basics of theater. Students learn the elements of drama and use creative drama techniques and theater vocabulary in speeches, group presentations, and script and journal writing.
Reading for Pleasure
Promotes and supports literacy and critical thinking by providing a rigorous, relevant environment for advanced students through analysis and self-reflection in deeper reading and writing.
Musical Keyboarding
An introduction to playing the piano and reading music. Students learn the basics of music and fundamental keyboard concepts.
Yearbook
Learn the basic skills of yearbook production: writing copy, captions, and headlines; digital photography; desktop publishing; and using appropriate technology tools for media production.
8th Grade Only
Art
Express your knowledge of balance, form, color, and space in both two- and three-dimensional art. Students experiment with basic color theories and mediums, explore drawing materials and techniques, create constructions in plaster, and try crafts like weaving and pop art — while learning art history and the contemporary arts of today.
STEM Education
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: a learning environment where students are challenged to produce ideas, objects, and structures using concepts from all four fields.
Engineering
Combine resources to create systems and learn how technological systems work. Students explore, design, analyze, and evaluate engineering systems, learning to approach problems and create solutions through hands-on projects.
FACS (Life Management)
An introduction to personal management, clothing management, resource management, childcare and parenting skills, nutrition and food management, health and wellness, relationships, and home and personal space. Students may need to purchase materials for one or two projects (costs vary) and may join FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), with the opportunity to cover dues through a fundraiser.
High School Credit Electives
Art I Yearlong
A more in-depth art class covering famous artists and art techniques. Offered for a full year.
Computer Science I Yearlong
Build knowledge, skills, and abilities in basic computer science concepts: computing systems, networks and the internet, data analysis, algorithms and programming, and the impacts of computing.
Computer Science II Yearlong
A pathway to greater specialization for students who want to pursue certification or a potential collegiate major or minor, going deeper into computing systems, networks and the internet, data analysis, algorithms and programming, and the impacts of computing.
Before You Enroll in Athletics
A current physical is required before participation begins — forms are on the Athletic Physical Forms page — and students must be passing all classes to remain in athletics. For placement questions or help choosing electives, reach out to the CIMS counselors.