VCJH Electives
Class Homepage
How to sign up for your Electives
DIRECTIONS
All Students: Use the Course Descriptions to make your choices. Be prepared to accept any combination of the choices you submit. These electives will meet during your regular school day. Elective choices are to be selected through the PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal once it has been opened (these Instructions are below.)
Incoming Sixth Grade Students: Please select six different semester-long introduction courses, three preferred and two alternative choices and a required Introduction to Technology class. All incoming sixth grade students MUST select Introduction to Technology.
If you desire access to a yearlong elective, due to your skill exceeding an introductory level course, then please contact (or have your parents contact) via email:
(1) the relevant teacher (their email address is below in the Course Descriptions)
(2) your Academic Counselor (cclark@vcs.net)
Incoming Seventh and Eighth Grade Students: You must select four different yearlong elective courses, two preferred and two alternative choices. Priority is given to eighth grade students.
Courses requiring a prerequisite, audition, or application - you will be notified of your acceptance by April 1, so please wait to make your selection until AFTER you have heard back from the teacher; otherwise, that course will be removed from your selection.
If you have not been recommended for an audition-based course already, please schedule an appointment for an audition by emailing:
(1) the relevant teacher (their email address is below in the Course Descriptions)
(2) and copy Mrs. Michelle McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@vcs.net
LOG-IN INSTRUCTIONS (You will be notified once this is turned on and available.)
Log in using the student's Warriorlife username and password OR the parent's username and password.
Once in PowerSchool, click on the Class Registration Navigation button to access the Elective Course Selection page.
Sixth Grade Elective Choices (Semester Introduction Courses)
Our sixth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in four different electives their first year here, allowing them to become familiar with a wider variety of elective content in order to discover their God-given talents and passions. Please note that the Introduction to Technology semester elective is REQUIRED for all sixth grade students.
Intro to Technology - REQUIRED COURSE*
This course is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for high school, college, and future careers in technology. Students will also learn how to touch type, create documents (formatted according to MLA academic standard, including citation), and master the art of slideshow presentations as they learn all they need to make all of their future technological endeavors seamless.
Prerequisite: None
*Qualifies as an AMSE elective
Intro to Drama
If you've ever wanted to get on stage, this is your chance! Intro to Drama will get you started on:
Playing theatre games in class;
Memorizing lines, working on short monologues, and scenes with a partner;
Learning about Musical Theatre;
Performing for others!
Join us for a semester of fun, and learn about the basics of theatre at VCJH! Students who take this course are automatically approved to enter Drama I.
VCJH Production of
Disney The Lion King, JR.
December, 2019
Intro to Band
This class is for students who wish to learn how to play a new musical instrument. Students can learn to play the flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, baritone horn, trombone, or tuba. Students will perform in one public performance and are eligible for the Conservatory Disneyland trip.
No experience is necessary. Students must provide their own instrument through rental or purchase. VCS will provide larger instruments for use (tuba, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, etc). Families will be responsible for securing the appropriate performance attire and for this ensemble. Details will be provided in the syllabus at the beginning of the year.
Intro to Choir
This class is for students who desire to learn proper vocal technique, beginning music theory, harmonizing, and love to sing! It is the place to improve your voice, learn to sight read, and sing in parts. Students will perform in one public performance and are eligible for the Conservatory Disneyland trip.
No experience is necessary. All materials are provided. Families will be responsible for securing the appropriate performance attire for this ensemble. Details will be provided in the syllabus at the beginning of the year.
Intro to Piano
This course is for all beginning musicians who want to learn the basics of piano. With our state-of-the-art lab, students work to learn technique, theory, ear training, sight-reading, and individual repertoire. A recital performance at the end of each semester is optional. Participants are eligible for the Conservatory Disneyland trip.
No experience is necessary. All materials are provided.
Intro to Strings
This class is for students who wish to learn how to play a new musical instrument. Students are invited to enroll in this class to learn violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will perform in one public performance and are eligible for the Conservatory Disneyland trip.
No experience is necessary. Students must provide their own instrument through rental or purchase. VCS will provide some larger instruments for use (string bass). Families will be responsible for securing the appropriate performance attire for this ensemble. Details will be provided in the syllabus at the beginning of the year.
Intro to Musical Foundations
This course is an introduction to understanding the mechanics of music. Students will learn to read, write, compose, and understand the basics of music theory and notation.
No experience is necessary. All materials are provided. This is a non-performance based class.
Intro to Drums
This class will focus on the very beginning of drumming. Students will learn how to hold the sticks and begin to understand how to read and understand music by playing on drum pads, snare drums, bass drums, tom-toms, timpani, xylophone, marimba, vibraphones, and more. Students will perform in one public performance and are eligible for the Conservatory Disneyland trip.
No experience is necessary. Families will be responsible for securing the appropriate performance attire and instruments (drum sticks, mallets, stick bag) for this ensemble. Details will be provided in the syllabus at the beginning of the year.
Intro to Dance - Let's Move!
Intro to Dance - Let's Move! : Semester Course
This performing arts class is the pathway for students who want to learn the fundamentals of movement, express themselves, and discover how their body could move! If you enjoy music, a physical challenge, and performance, this class is for you. Students will study and focus on fundamental dance elements and vocabulary, while exploring multiple dance genres and styles such as hip hop, musical theatre, dance technique, and jazz! Students will develop muscle tone, flexibility, proper dance alignment, technical strength, and performance ability.
Prerequisite: None.
This course may be repeated and no audition is required. Please feel free to contact Mrs. McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@vcs.net if you have any questions.
Students participating in dance are required to purchase:
- Black Dance Attire for class
- Proper shoe attire depending on genre of study.
3D Animation (qualifies as two semester choices)*
Are you creative? Are you detail oriented? Do you like a challenge? If so, then this is the class for you. Students will learn how to use the professional software, Maya Unlimited, to create 3D objects, characters, and scenes. They will then learn how to animate them to create their own cartoons. This course is offered as a Self-Paced or a Traditional course. Each format teaches the same material. If you are very comfortable with a computer (not just iPad) and you are self-motivated, you may choose to take the self-paced course. In the self-paced course, you will watch recorded lessons and complete the same assignments, but you will be able to move ahead at your own pace. While the self-paced course is like an online class, you are in class and have 100% access to the teacher for assistance at all times.
Due to the challenging nature of this course, it is recommended that students who wish to take this class be proficient in computers and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
*Qualifies as an AMSE elective
Intro to Logic and Reasoning*
Enjoy solving problems? You will gain skills to solve puzzles, problems, and develop critical thinking skills. You will also learn to analyze the validity of statements, be able to separate fact from opinion, and recognize fallacies. You will learn to tackle difficult math problems with calculated ease.
Prerequisite: None
*Qualifies as an AMSE elective
PLTW Science of Technology: Semester Course*
Science impacts the technology of yesterday, today, and the future. Students apply the concepts of chemistry, nanotechnology, and physics. STEM activities and projects include making ice cream, glue, and bubble liquid, cleaning up an oil spill, discovering the properties of nanomaterials, exploring simple machines and mechanical advantage, and designing and building roller coasters and race tracks.
Prerequisite: None
*Qualifies as an AMSE elective
PLTW Medical Detectives: Semester Course*
In the new Medical Detectives unit, students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, dissect a sheep brain, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
Prerequisite: None
*Qualifies as an AMSE elective
Intro to Art Foundations
Students will learn about the elements of art (line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space) and how each element plays a part in the foundation of all artwork. We will explore various mediums including pencil, paper, canvas, acrylics, block prints, and more. We will also explore different time periods and the active artists of those eras, discussing and illustrating what we learn.
Prerequisite: None
Intro to Clay Projects
This class is hands on! Students make functional pottery and build playful, three-dimensional projects. Pinch pots, coil pots, and slab pottery skills are developed as students work from one project to the next. Projects include vases, cakes, boxes, bowls, mugs, houses, and more. If you are creative and do not mind getting a little messy, this class is for you.
Prerequisite: None
Intro to JH Photo
This is an introduction-level course to photography. Students will explore the different buttons and settings of their cameras and photograph projects that will use these functions. Secondly, students will learn the composition of a photograph from the artistic aspect. We will explore Elements and Principles of art in relation to photography and will take pictures defining each one. Lastly, students will be introduced to basic functions of Photoshop CS5. With most projects, we will “enhance” the photographs with an application in Photoshop.
Students will provide their own Personal Digital Camera (7 megapixels or greater) with user manual.
Intro to Global Missions
Students will be exposed to the basics of language and culture acquisition while learning about the significance and impact of global missions. They will learn why global missions are important, study famous missionaries, and investigate what Scripture has to say about being a missionary to the world.
Intro to Christian Leadership
This course seeks to answer the fundamental question of what it means to be a Christian leader in our secular society. The academic objective is to explore the biblical perspective of leadership. The practical objective will be to live out these principles in our everyday lives. It is the hope that this class will help students gain a better understanding of Christian leadership, strengthen their relationships with Christ, and give God glory by serving in their community. This course gives students the opportunity to serve their peers, their family, their teammates, and their community.
Study Hall: Semester Course
This class will give students the opportunity to work on their school work in a supervised setting.
Prerequisite: None
Seventh and Eighth Grade Elective Choices (Yearlong Elective Courses)
Seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to deepen their interest in our different areas of electives. These yearlong courses will allow students to challenge themselves in new ways as they begin to refine their God-given talents and passions.Beginning Spanish
This course offers a fun introduction to the basics of Spanish. Students will learn everything they need to know to have short, simple conversations in Spanish, from greetings to the weather to foods. Class includes a variety of exciting activities, such as games, crafts, skits, holiday celebrations, and music. By learning Spanish students will be able to communicate with the 414,000,000 people in the world that speak Spanish. Introduction to Spanish is perfect for sixth and seventh grade students who want an early start on learning a foreign language.
Prerequisite: None
