6th Grade Wheel

6th graders at Willard rotate through “Wheel” courses (ranging from 8 to 16 week periods), these are typically:

• Art
• STEM
• Skills for Adolescents*

Some students take support classes during this time like Math Support, Reading or AVID Excel (a class for English Language Learners)

*Teaching the “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens”, puberty, and sex education

7th/8th Grade Electives 

At the end of 6th grade, Willard students choose one of the following elective courses to take during their 7th and 8th grade years:

ALD (Academic Language Development)

A class designed to assist non-native English speaking students. Students are required to take this class if they are classified as an English Language Learner.

Ambassadors

A service learning leadership elective: Ambassadors support all students and staff by creating a welcoming environment for newly arriving students, organizing extracurricular activities, and schoolwide projects. See Mr. Pawlak for an application.

Art 7/8

Students study and explore a variety of art theory, mediums and techniques including drawing, painting, clay and printmaking. For each project, students study relevant examples from art history and today. Students have the opportunity to express themselves visually as well as learn about art from different cultures and time periods.

Art 2

In advanced art, you will have the opportunity to express yourself visually as well as learn about art from different cultures and time periods. You will dive more deeply into a few artistic mediums of your own choice.

AVID

Advancement Via Individual Determination: AVID Assists students in preparing to attend a four-year university. Students learn organization skills, and how to take Cornell Notes. Philosophical Chairs and Socratic discussions allow students to think deeply about the world around them. Students attend field trips that highlight college opportunities. Students develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that help them in all their classes. Field trips may include: Stanford, Cal Basketball Game, UCSC and the Beach Boardwalk, Berkeley Rep, Hastings Law. See Jen Antonuccio for an Application.

Dance

A mixed level class, appropriate for all students.  This course may include modern, hip hop, jazz and cultural dance traditions.  Daily practice includes technique, improvisation, and creative composition, in a collaborative, supportive environment.

Growing Leaders

The Growing Leaders elective program gives students real world experience in the foodservice industry. Students in the class plan, prepare, cook, and serve meals to the paying public. We are looking for students who are willing to work hard, who get along well with others, and who are independent learners that want to experience working in a production kitchen.

IWE (8th graders only)

Independent Work Experience. Students gain work experience by working for a teacher or in the office. Tasks vary by teacher. Students must be in good academic and behavior standing to participate. Students must get permission from a teacher: the teacher’s signature is required on the back of this form.

Library IWE

Independent Work Experience in the Library: Work in the library. Help students select and check-out books, support technology throughout the campus, and improve your own technology skills. See Ms. Lee for an application.

Math Support

Certain studies have linked middle school success in math class an indicator of high school graduation. At Willard, we want all of our students to succeed not just while they are here, but in high school and beyond! Math support exists to help students who are below or approaching grade level to be successful in their regular math class. With a smaller class size (14-18) and Math 180 curriculum, students have an additional period with a Willard math teacher to review and reinforce math skills and concepts.

Reading

A year-long class focusing on improving students’ reading skills and comprehension. Some students will be required to take this course.

Spanish, Beginning (7th graders only)

Introduction to the Spanish language, culture, and people. Students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through conversational situations. One-year of Middle School Spanish class is equivalent to one semester of high school work. It is expected that students taking Beginning Spanish will also take Intermediate Spanish the following year.

Spanish, Intermediate (8th graders only)

This intermediate Spanish class is a continuation of the Beginning Spanish series with the utilization of more advanced materials and grammatical concepts. More projects, such as skits and presentations, are included in the curriculum to encourage further understanding of the Spanish language and culture.

STEM

STEM applies technology & engineering concepts in this hands-on project based class.  Students design, plan, and create in activities like Coding, 3D Modeling, Robotics, & Electronics, as well as Digital Media like Website Design, Video production, Photography, Art, Graphic Design and Music.

Advanced STEM

Available to 8th graders who took STEM in 7th grade.  Go deeper into various STEM technologies like robotics, electronics, digital media, computer applications, and others. Take it to the next level. Apply these advanced STEM skills to create solutions to real-world situations in this project-based elective.

Yearbook and Publishing

Students will create the yearbook as well as a school newspaper. Students will express their views and opinions in a school published format while helping them strengthen their writing and language skills. Students will also report on issues and happenings here at Willard. Articles, photography, and cartooning will be the main vehicles for student expression.