Electives

The following classes are available as electives to all Cambridge and STEAM students. Please note however that certain courses are not open to 6th grade students due to their course level.

Band - (Grade levels 6th - 8th) - Beginning Band (3 sections)- Starting from scratch, learn a brass or woodwind instrument, and perform in quarterly concerts. Instrument choices include Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba.

Intermediate Band (1 section)- Continue learning the instrument you started in beginning band, adding more performance opportunities, including the Ocala Christmas Parade.

Advanced Band (1 section)- Further hone your skills on your instrument, adding auditions at the county, district, and state level.

Beginning Percussion (1 section)-Want to learn how to read music, play the xylophone, and maybe be a part of the drumline? This is the class for you!

Agriculture - (Grades 6th - 8th) This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of agricultural history and the global impact of agriculture; career opportunities; scientific and research concepts; biological and physical science principles; environmental principles; agriscience safety; principles of leadership; and agribusiness, employability, and human relations skills in agriscience. Laboratory-based activities are an integral part of this course. These include the safe use and application of appropriate technology, scientific testing and observation equipment. Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental quality, and safety procedures will be an integral part of this course. Students will interact with materials and primary sources of data or with secondary sources of data to observe and understand the natural world. Students will develop an understanding of measurement error, and develop the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the data and resulting conclusions. Equipment and supplies will be provided to enhance these hands-on experiences for students. A minimum of 20% of classroom time will be dedicated to laboratory experiences.

Business Education - (Grades 6th - 8th) Prepare for the future with business courses that explore beyond keyboarding and incorporate computer applications including word processing, presentation software and spreadsheet basics. Students also discover soft skills and real world concepts including professionalism, digital responsibility, business communication and more. Our Digital Information Technology course is available to stellar eight graders seeking an advantage by providing them with a high school credit and advanced IT skills. All courses include an opportunity for outstanding students to obtain a certification from CIW (Certified Internet Webmasters).

Techonology - (Grades 6th - 8th)

Coding Fundamentals (6th grade): Using iPads and Swift Playgrounds to teach fundamentals of programming, reinforced with Lego Mindstorms robotic kits. The purpose of this course is to assist Information Technology students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the career cluster. The content includes but is not limited to foundational knowledge and skills related to computer coding and software development. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices.

Digital Discoveries in Societies (7th Grade) (Mostly using Google Classroom) : Digital Discoveries in Society 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. In addition to fundamental computer information, the content includes but is not limited to digital technologies associated with problem solving, computer components, internet safety and ethics, web development, animations and games, basic programming techniques, and physical computing. Also adding digital tools certifications.

Exploring IT Careers: (8th Grade) The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Information Technology career cluster. The content includes but is not limited to terminology, careers, history, required skills, and technologies associated with pathways comprising the Information Technology career cluster. Reinforcement of academic skills occurs through classroom instruction and applied laboratory procedures. Also adding digital tools certifications.

Physical Education - (Grades 6th - 8th)

Instruction in the Development and Care of the Body ranging from simple calisthenic exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, social distance games, and character building.

Art - Grades 6th - 8th

A eighteen-week class designed to improve students’ basic art skills; drawing, painting and sculpting, design artwork using a variety of media and techniques, develop students’ creativity and self-expression, and recognize and use the art elements (line, shape, color, value, form, texture and space), and design principles (rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, harmony and unity).

T.V. Productions - Grades 7th - 8th

Students in grades seven and eight learn the basics of film-making during the first semester, including shot composition, sequencing, editing and digital storytelling. In addition students create the T.V. news package for Colt morning News.

Health Occupations - (Grades 6th - 8th)

Orientation to Health Science - (6th Grade) The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Health Science career cluster.

Exploration to Health Science - (7th and 8th Grade) The purpose of this course is to give students initial exposure to the skills and attitudes associated with a broad range of occupations relating to careers in health, including job requirements and tasks performed, to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals.

Medical Skills - (8th Grade Only) This is a high school course. The student will receive 1 high school credit for successful completion of this course. This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Health Science career cluster.