Advanced Choir
7th & 8th Graders
Audition only
Fee: $10.00
Advanced Choir is open to students with more vocal and performing experience at a more advanced level. Students must be able to learn music at a faster pace and at the upper middle school/beginning high school level. Students will continue to develop their vocal technique and musicianship at a higher level in this ensemble. Students will be considered for this ensemble based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: vocal skills, tone production, experience, musicianship, and maturity. Auditions will be held the beginning of April for next year’s Advanced Choir. Additional auditions may be held during the year. Students perform throughout the year in school concerts, festivals, and contests, and community performances beyond those offered for Choir. Attendance at concerts and activities outside the regular classroom setting and school day are a part of being in the choir program. Choir uniform shirt is included in the course fee.
Choir is open to 7th and 8th grade students—no prior experience is needed. Students learn to sing in a fun, energetic working environment. Students perform throughout the year in school concerts, festivals, and contests. Attendance at concerts and activities outside the regular classroom setting and school day are a part of being in the choir program. Curriculum focuses on developing proper technique and singing skills in a variety of music styles. Students with more experience or who have been in choir at least one trimester may audition for Advanced Choir (see course description) in April, or toward their first trimester of Choir in the fall. Students who elect to take choir as a year-long elective have the opportunity to audition for Jefferson County Honor Choir and Colorado Middle All State Choir. Choir uniform shirt is included in the course fee.
Computer Applications
7th & 8th Graders
This trimester course is designed to develop skills in many different areas of computer applications. Some projects include programming, stop motion movies, robot obstacle course and digital citizenship. Typing will be practiced when students are between assignments. Grades are based on projects, work habits and a short projects list. Students must provide their own headphones.
Concert Band
7th & 8th Graders
Concert Band is available to students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument at an intermediate level. Students must have at least 1 year of experience on their instrument to join, or have approval from the director. Students will be playing middle school level repertoire, suitable for students that are currently in 7th and 8th grade. Attendance at concerts and activities outside of the regular classroom setting and school day are required as being a member in the band program. Students must also be willing to consistently practice and improve fundamental skills on their instrument. For more information, please visit www.deercreekmusic.com.
Creative Writing
7th & 8th Graders
This course meets the 7th grade writing requirement.
The Creative Writing course provides students an opportunity to develop their technique and style in the genre of fictional writing. Assignments could include: fictional narratives, short stories, picture books, plays, and poetry.
Cultures & Commerce
7th & 8th Graders
Cultures & Commerce is a class partially sponsored through the Young Americans Center for Financial Education. For those familiar with the Ameritowne program in 5th grade, this is the next step... International Towne! The class teaches about different cultures and how they affect global trade. Also addressed will be the concepts of interdependence between nations, economics, supply and demand, and basic business skills in the context of global cultures.
Engineering & Technology
7th & 8th Graders
Based on applied learning in which students not only read, visualize, and discuss topics, students also design, build, and test results. Utilizing the Engineering Design Process and enhancing motor skills are the objectives for this class. Possible projects include: rockets, gliders, CO2 dragsters, mouse-trap cars, and bridges.
This course is repeatable: Because projects change each year, students who take Pre-Engineering or Engineering & Technology in 7th grade may take Engineering & Technology as 8th graders.
Exploration in Drama
7th & 8th Graders
This course allows students to develop self-confidence while learning the basics of acting and directing. Students will explore different theatre styles, including improvisation, and present a short play during the trimester. Because activities change each year, students who take Exploration in Drama in 7th grade may take Theatre Arts as 8th graders.
Family and Consumer Science
7th & 8th Graders
Family and Consumer Science is an activity-oriented class that focuses on helping students develop and apply important practical skills for independent living. There are two units during this class, Cooking and Sewing. Students will learn how to be safe in the kitchen and be able to cook delicious food throughout the unit. During the sewing unit, students will learn how to hand sew, sew buttons onto clothing, and use a sewing machine.
Fitness & Conditioning
7th & 8th Graders
Fitness/Conditioning primarily focuses on personal and physical wellness. Students will be provided an environment that includes teacher-led body weight exercises, cardio workouts, and an introduction to weight training. Game play and team sports may also be included to provide another outlet to improve the fitness level of students within the course.
French 1
7th & 8th Graders
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be prepared to take French 2 in 8th grade or high school. Games, stories and songs as well as simple conversations are used to meet the standards of listening, speaking, reading and writing on topics which include numbers, colors, weather, food, family, places, transportation and pastimes. Students will also learn about the culture of French-speaking countries.
Literature and Film
7th & 8th Graders
This course meets the 7th grade writing requirement.
In this trimester course students will examine films with books as their source. Students will read a variety of texts including short stories and novels and then analyze the film versions of them. Parent permission is required to participate in this elective for PG-13 rated films.
Orchestra
7th & 8th Graders
Orchestra is a year-long elective open to students who have previous experience with a string instrument (i.e. violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano). Students who wish to begin a new instrument must discuss this option with Mr. Sudano and strongly consider private lessons. Students perform throughout the year in school concerts, regional contests and an overnight trip every other year. Attendance at concerts and activities outside of the regular classroom setting and school day are part of being in the orchestra program. Students must also be willing to practice consistently and improve fundamental skills on their instrument.
Piano Keyboarding (Music)
7th & 8th Graders
This course is designed for beginners who have always wondered if they would like to try piano lessons but just weren’t sure. However, because the class is largely student-paced, students with experience are also welcome. The instructor will assess the student’s level and give assignments at their own level and pace.
Publication: Yearbook
7th & 8th Graders
In this two-trimester course, students will learn layout methods, graphic design, photography skills, and basic computer technology in designing the Deer Creek Yearbook. In addition, students will gain a foundation of basic journalism through researching, interviewing, and writing for publication. Interested students must complete an application form expressing their interest and applicable skills.
Recreation Sports
7th Graders
Recreation Sports will focus on lifetime games that are generally individual or partner based. Students will be introduced to variety of games and provided the opportunity to develop and hone their skills within each game. In addition, students will be provided an opportunity to evaluate and improve their individual health and fitness level. Units may include frisbee golf, park games and a variety of net games such as badminton and pickleball.
Short Stories
7th & 8th Graders
This course meets the 7th grade writing requirement.
Short Stories gives students the time to read and write short stories. Students will analyze and then write a wide variety of fiction genres that could include mysteries, realistic fiction, fantasies, action/adventure, and science fiction.
Spanish 1
7th & 8th Graders
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be prepared to take Spanish 2 in 8th grade or high school. Games, stories and songs as well as simple conversations are used to meet the standards of listening, speaking, reading and writing on topics which include numbers, colors, weather, food, family, places, transportation and pastimes. Students will also learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
Symphonic Band
7th & 8th Graders
Audition only
Fee: $30.00
Symphonic Band is available to students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument at an advanced level. Students must be able to perform music consistent with late middle school/early high school curriculum. Students will be considered for this ensemble based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to: playing ability, tone production, sight reading capabilities, access to private lessons, and instrumentation needs of the band. Auditions will be held during March for next year’s Symphonic Band. In order to meet instrumentation needs, additional auditions may be offered during the school year. Attendance at concerts and activities outside of the regular classroom setting and school day are required as being a member in the band program. Students must also be willing to consistently practice and improve fundamental skills on their instrument. For more information, please visit www.deercreekmusic.com.
Team Sports
7th & 8th Graders
In Team Sports, students will be provided a competitive environment to learn, practice and perfect their skills in a variety of team based sports. The class will use the platform of team based athletics to help students work on their fitness, sport-based knowledge and sportsmanship. Sports to be played may include, but not limited to, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, lacrosse, and flag football.
Visual Arts 1
7th & 8th Graders
This trimester class will focus on two- and three-dimensional art. Some of the projects will include drawing, painting or printmaking, ceramics/clay, sculpture, fibers and mixed media. Grades will be based on projects, work habits and the portfolio list. Because the projects change each year, students may repeat Visual Arts as 8th graders.
World Languages & Cultures
7th & 8th Graders
This exploratory language class will introduce students to French, Spanish, German and Mandarin Chinese. Students will learn basic greetings, numbers, colors, objects, people, animals and food as well as celebrations and customs of the people who speak the languages.
Food & Nutrition 7
7th & 8th Graders
Foods & Nutrition is an introductory course in food preparation and nutrition. Throughout foods lab experiences, students will be learning the principles of cooking and preparing a variety of foods. Students will also learn the importance of healthy eating habits, safety and sanitation, measurement equivalents, and basic kitchen equipment use.
Spanish 1
7th & 8th Graders
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be prepared to take Spanish 2 in 8th grade or high school. Games, stories and songs as well as simple conversations are used to meet the standards of listening, speaking, reading and writing on topics which include numbers, colors, weather, food, family, places, transportation and pastimes. Students will also learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.