6th Grade Electives
Elective Options for 6th Graders
Sixth grade students are given the opportunity to enroll in one elective course per semester. Some of our electives are full-year courses and others are semester-long courses. Students who enroll in a full-year elective are committed to that elective for the duration of the year.
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Semester Long Courses
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Year-Long Courses
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Art 1
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Bulldog Band
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Art II (Art 1 prerequisite)
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Chorus
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Computer Graphics
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French 1A (7th grade recommended) |
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Drama I
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Spanish 1A (7th grade recommended)
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| Makerspace |
Strings
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| Musical Theater | |
| Sculpture |
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Video Production
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| Woodworking |
SEMESTER COURSES
SEMESTER COURSES
SEMESTER COURSES
Art I
Students will learn the fundamentals of art and design while studying artists from around the world. Students will expand their knowledge of visual arts while making meaningful connections between the arts and their own experiences. The class will focus on drawing with a variety of mediums, color theory, and perspective. (6/7/8)
Art II
Prerequisite: Art I
Art II builds upon the foundation established in Art I. Students will enhance their visual arts proficiency through diverse projects, emphasizing composition, content, balance, and execution. The course delves into advanced 2D techniques like sketching and painting, and extends into 3D with clay hand building. Through challenging assignments, students will refine their artistic skills and foster self-expression. (6/7/8)
Art II builds upon the foundation established in Art I. Students will enhance their visual arts proficiency through diverse projects, emphasizing composition, content, balance, and execution. The course delves into advanced 2D techniques like sketching and painting, and extends into 3D with clay hand building. Through challenging assignments, students will refine their artistic skills and foster self-expression. (6/7/8)
Computer Graphics
It's art on the computer! 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will learn to paint, draw, and create using software that digital artists and professional graphic designers use. Students will use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to create their own works of art, make art mashups, and edit photographs. Graphic design principles while creating interesting and personalized works of art! This all takes place in our beautiful 9th-generation retina I-MAC computer lab and students are given access to the Adobe suite of tools. (6/7/8)
Drama I
Do you like to laugh or make others laugh? Then this is the class for you. Drama will build your confidence, stage presence, and comedic timing. Class activities will include games, skits, improvisation, pantomime, scene work, and monologues. (6/7/8)
Makerspace
This hands-on, student-directed learning class fosters innovative thinking by allowing students to use their creativity to design and build projects through experimentation and problem-solving. Students will have access to various shop tools, machines, and high-tech equipment like Arduino/Raspberry Pi microprocessors and sensors, 3D printers, a CNC router, and a laser cutter/burner. Students will also have access to a myriad of materials in developing their projects, such as epoxy resin, plastics, textiles, clays, metals, glass, soapstone, and wood. Students also engage in Maker Challenge competitions that focus on problem-solving and teamwork. Students may repeat this course to pursue new and more advanced projects. (6/7/8)
Musical Theater
Love to sing, dance and act? Each semester, Musical Theater class will pick a musical, audition for roles and rehearse towards a final performance. The performances will include costumes, sets and props. This class is designed to help actors advance skills in auditioning, solo singing, acting, and dancing. Students can choose this elective twice in a year as the musicals will change. (6/7/8)
Sculpture
Students will explore clay techniques and art expression through a series of introductory clay hand-building projects. The class also includes drawing and painting and may delve into other alternative art making techniques and materials. Students may repeat this course and will receive new, advanced projects. (6/7/8)
Video Production I
Welcome to the wonderful world of TV and Film! Fun and learning combine to help beginning video students explore the changing media scene with an emphasis on hands-on work. Students will learn the “language of TV and film” as well as the basics of photography, videography, and editing techniques. This includes an introduction to the professional editing platform, Adobe Premiere Pro. Students will also work alone and in groups to learn the fundamentals of storyboarding, script writing, performance, and criticism. Projects include everything from PSAs and news stories to stop-motion and live-action movies. Students will be exposed to the elements of visual storytelling, nonfiction writing, public speaking, news gathering, and the tenets of good journalism. (6/7/8)
Woodworking
Students will learn basic principles of woodworking including the proper use and care of hand and power tools. Students will also learn basic shop safety, measuring, common wood joints, fasteners, and the reading and drawing of project plans. This student-directed learning class allows students to design and build projects that are of interest to them. Students may repeat this course to pursue new and more advanced projects. (6/7/8)
FULL-YEAR COURSES
FULL-YEAR COURSES
FULL-YEAR COURSES
Bulldog Band
The OIS Bulldog Band is open to students in Grade 6. This course is best suited for students who have at least one year of musical experience on their instrument and are able to read music. Instruction includes the fundamentals of ensemble playing, i.e., technique and tone quality. Students will perform a wide variety of music at assemblies and school concerts.
Chorus
Do you love to sing while making friends, and being a part of something special? Come join the Orinda Intermediate Choir. OIS choir is an award-winning chorus where students will improve singing in harmony, solo singing, and reading music. Choristers will perform a variety of concerts including a Winter Concert, Pop Concert, tours to Elementary Schools, performing at Six Flags and, CMEA choral festivals. The class will sing a variety of styles such as Pop, Broadway, Folk, Spirituals, and Concert Selections No prior experience is necessary for a student to participate in Chorus.
French 1A
This introductory course in foreign language is the first half of French 1 and provides students, who have no prior training in the language, an opportunity to develop basic listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. In addition to functional language skills, students are provided an introduction to the culture of the countries whose language they are studying. This course aligns with the high school curriculum. Please note: This is an academically rigorous course that is recommended for 7th graders.
Spanish 1A
This introductory course in foreign language is the first half of Spanish 1 and provides students, who have no prior training in the language, an opportunity to develop basic listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. In addition to functional language skills, students are provided an introduction to the culture of the countries whose language they are studying. This course aligns with the high school curriculum. Please note: This is an academically rigorous course that is recommended for 7th graders.
Strings
The String Orchestra is open to violin, viola, cello, and bass students in Grades 6/7/8. This course is best suited for students who have at least one year of study experience and can read music. This performance-oriented ensemble performs a wide variety of music at assemblies, concerts, and community events. (6/7/8)
