Truman offers a rich and rigorous curriculum for our students.

ELECTIVES DESCRIPTIONS

YEAR LONG ELECTIVES

AVID 7 - 55507 / AVID 8 - 55507

The AVID elective is a full year elective for 7th and 8th graders.  Students must apply and go through a interview process to earn a spot in this elective.  AVID is for students who fall into the academic middle but have the potential to complete rigorous curriculum.  Students must have a desire to be successful in high school and college and are typically the first in their family to go to college.  Students are taught study skills and time management.  They will research colleges and college expectations.  They will discover a variety of career fields and pathways to get there.  They will participate in tutorials twice a week to help build confidence in their content classes.  Students will participate in team building activities, field trips, and celebrations throughout the year as they focus on the importance of a GPA as well as the importance of friendship as they support one another and struggle together.

 

Beginning Band - 73004

Beginning Band is for students who have no prior experience playing a band instrument. The students are given the opportunity to try the different woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Through an instrument selection process that considers physical attributes, timbral preference, and aural skills, we help students find the right instrument for them. Beginning Band members can learn to play the flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion instruments. Students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform on their instrument. They learn to read music, play individual solos, and are part of a large ensemble. Beginning Band performs concerts throughout the year for friends and family at TMS.

 

Intermediate Band - 73006

Concert Band is for students who have at least one year of experience playing woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students are selected by an audition process. Concert Band students perform concerts throughout the year for friends and family. ​Students in Concert Band focus on playing and reading skills to prepare them to play in Symphonic Band, high school band, and beyond.

 

Advanced Band - 73007

Symphonic Band is for 8th grade students who have at least two years of experience playing woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments, and 7th grade students by invitation only. Symphonic Band performs concerts throughout the year.  ​Students in Symphonic Band focus on playing and reading skills to prepare them to play in high school band and beyond. 

 

*Chorus - 74004

This course is designed to give students an introductory experience in vocal music.  Emphasis will be on developing basic singing techniques, ensemble experience, part singing, performance techniques, basics of reading music, fundamental sight-reading and ear training.  Choreography may be included as a part of a musical performance.  Students will explore choral literature appropriate for an introductory level course.  Before or after school rehearsals can be scheduled as part of the instructional process.  Scheduled performances are considered an extension of the instructional process and are required.

 

*Beginning Orchestra - 73504

This course is designed to give students an introduction to playing violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  Students will learn how to properly hold the instrument and bow, produce a good tone on the instrument, properly articulate, read musical notation, and how to perform simple melodies and orchestral compositions.  Music theory and music history will be studied as it relates to pieces being studied for performance.  After school performances are considered an extension of the instructional process and are required.  Beginning students may participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival as well as the Beginning Orchestra Festival.

 

*Advanced Orchestra - 73506

This course is designed to give students further instruction and experiences in playing the violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  Students will learn how to refine and extend their skills in properly holding the instrument and bow, producing a good tone on the instrument, properly articulating, reading musical notation, and performing appropriate level orchestral compositions.  Music theory and music history will be studied as it relates to pieces being studied for performance.  After school performance and rehearsals are considered an extension of the instructional process and are required.  Students may participate on Solo and Ensemble Festival, Large Group Festival, and may audition for the Albuquerque Junior Symphony/Orchestra program.

 

Physical Education 6 (PE 6) - 91600

Required Elective

Students in this class will be introduced to a variety of individual and team activities/sports. Students will develop the physical and social skills necessary to participate in, and enjoy these activities. Lastly, students will learn about physical fitness and its importance to physical and mental health.

 

 

SEMESTER ELECTIVES - 7TH & 8TH GRADE

Art - 70901

This is a semester-long class for 7th and 8th grade students. This course focuses on the exploration of the seven elements of visual art through projects using a variety of techniques and mediums. Students will practice and gain skills in mediums such as drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture. Students will create, present, and critique art to better prepare for high school level art courses and possibly a career in art should they wish.

 

Creative Writing - 24909

Info to come

 

Drama 1 - 75000

This course is offered to 7th and 8th grade students.  In this course, students are introduced to performance art and will develop their dramatic skills through improvisation and individual/group scene work.  Drama is an awesome outlet for creative and diverse talents where young actors will have the opportunity to learn the freedom of expression and gain confidence on stage and in real life.

 

Drama 2 - 75001

This course will build on the skills and concepts from Drama I. Students will do more in-depth solo and scene work.  Students will begin to look at directing and playwriting to enhance their understanding of performance and productions.

 

Health - 46700

Required Elective

Health is a semester class for 7th and/or 8th grade students.  The goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to increase healthy lifestyle practices while understanding and avoiding risky behavior.  The core curriculum addresses all aspects of health and wellness and consists of learning experiences that emphasize an increased awareness of health behaviors and their positive and negative consequences.  Included:  role-play, demonstrations, writing, reading, videos, group discussions, Health Advisors, Guest Educators, & Nutrition & Fitness Field Trip in Action.

 

Independent Living (Problem Solving: 506r2) 

This is a semester-long class for 7th and 8th grade students. This course focuses on the exploration of different skills and habits beneficial to adults and the workforce.  Students will focus on things such as money and budgeting, paying bills, applying for jobs, forming good habits and relationships, making decisions, and basic sewing skills. 

 

Info Tech - 879s1

This is a semester class in which students will heavily focus on learning the proper way to type. Other topics within this class vary depending on the current evolution of educational technology. This includes but is not limited to GIS, coding/programming, drones, photography, stop motion, green screen, AR/VR, Cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.

 

Leadership - 5100s

Info to come

 

*MESA - 5050s

MESA is part of a national initiative promoting educational enrichment for historically underrepresented students, but not limited to, interested in mathematics, engineering, science, and related fields and to pursue these fields in higher education.  The student participates in a variety of inquiry-based projects, competitions, (e.g., robotics, tower/bridge construction, boat design), career counseling, field trips, and leadership development with an opportunity to participate in summer programs and scholarship activities.  The student is given the opportunity to discover, create, solve problems, and construct by using a variety of resources, machines, materials, processes, and computer systems.  This course uniquely combines application of content in science (e.g., physical, life, earth and space) and mathematics (e.g., algebra, geometry, data analysis) with integration of literacy strategies and techniques throughout the curriculum.

 

Survey of Science - 40780S

This is a STEM related course where 7th and 8th grade students apply the principles of Engineering Design to create different projects. Projects focus on all the aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Projects vary semester to semester, so this class can be taken multiple times. 

 

Physical Education 7 (PE 7: 91011) / Physical Education 8 (PE 8: 91021)

This is a semester-long class for 7th & 8th grade students. Physical Education is the only middle school subject designed to develop physically educated bodies and minds. Through physical education, students will learn basic knowledge, skills and values needed for safe and meaningful participation in activities related to personal fitness and recreation.Throughout this semester students will be exposed to a variety of activities.  We will teach pickleball, volleyball, archery, ping-pong, weight training and many others.  Our goal is to encourage students to become physically fit and live a healthy and active lifestyle. 

 

6TH GRADE ELECTIVES WHEEL

Exploratory AVID 6 - 55506E

1 Quarter

Info to come

 

Exploratory Info Tech - 65901

1 Quarter

This is a nine week class for the 6th grade students. Students will become responsible digital citizens by analyzing the impact of technology on individuals, with emphasis on being responsible and respectful online, online safety, and lawfulness online. Throughout their learning, students will also learn about cyberbullying. Once students are capable digital citizens, they will develop typing and presentation skills by learning how to evaluate various google related programs and applications to meet needs based on projects. 

 

Exploratory Art - 70906

1 Quarter

This is a 9 week course for sixth grade students designed to be an explorative journey through different mediums and techniques of Visual Art. Students will get a foundation of the basic elements of art while experimenting with new tools and mediums. They will practice working through mental blocks and frustration to achieve a new level of craftsmanship in coloring, painting, and drawing, all the while finding courage to try new things. 

 

Exploratory Leadership - 50700

1 Quarter

Info to come

 

Exploratory Health - 46701

1 Quarter

Exploratory Health is a 9 week course.  Students will explore a variety of health concepts.  Bullying Prevention will be a major component.  This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge to recognize bullying and the skills to successfully navigate such interactions.  We will use role-play, demonstrations, writing, reading, videos, and group discussions to learn all aspects of bullying prevention. This course includes:  Gratitude, Determination, Conflict Resolution, Self Care, Anger, Respect and Emotions.