Electives
Grant school electives
Grant school electives![]()
Grant school electives
Grant is proud to offer a wide variety of elective/enrichment courses for our junior high students. Students are able to select from many options each trimester. Please see the list below for our current electives being offered.
Art Explorations
2nd Trimester
Students will dive into the creative world of visual arts using a modern and flexible learning tool — YouTube! Explore a variety of artistic techniques, styles, and mediums by following guided tutorials from popular and age-appropriate art creators on YouTube. Grading is based on in-class participation
Teacher: Mr. Sharpe
Backpacking and a Book
1st Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Learning backpacking/camping skills and a read-through of a wilderness classic. The course culminates with a wilderness trip in early-Fall / late-Spring. [1st and 3rd Trimesters swap days to ensure Spanish students have a chance to enroll]
Teacher: Mr. Sharpe
Baseball on the Big Screen
2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
We will look at the history of baseball by watching classic baseball movies. We will do a movie review after each movie. Students will research a famous player and create a slide show. We will end the class by going to a River Cats game in the Spring.
Teacher: Mrs. Eatmon
Beginning Band TA
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Open to current Advanced Band students only; teacher approval required.
Help facilitate Beginning Band classes and mentor new instrumentalists! Duties may include (but are not limited to): running sectionals, instrument repair/tuning, making sheet music copies.
Campus Crew: Leaders in Action
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Campus Crew: Leaders in Action is a service-based elective that empowers students to positively impact school culture through leadership and support. Unlike Student Council, this course focuses on meeting daily campus needs rather than planning school events. Students will assist with Morning Island, support Lost and Found, help identify student needs, and promote a welcoming school environment. Through these experiences, students will practice the Leader in Me habits while developing responsibility, empathy, and leadership skills.
Teachers: Mrs. Imhof
Coding
2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
This elective is for beginners all the way to experts. We will be working on coding Arduino boards (C++), current, voltage and digital logic.
Teacher: Mr. Orellana
Cooking
1st Trimester, 3rd Trimester
In this fun, hands-on elective, students will start with the eFoodHandlers curriculum to learn kitchen safety and sanitation. Then we'll jump into basic cooking skills and techniques—with the added bonus of tasting everything we make!
We ask for a $30 donation per student to help cover the cost of ingredients.
Teacher: Ms. Raney
Crocheting
1st Trimester
I will be teaching beginning crocheting. We will learn how to make a chain and then use that skill to make a Scarf, Hot Pad, Hat or Slippers.
Teacher: Mrs. Eatmon
Dance
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester
A fun way to improve your strength, flexibility, rhythm, and coordination while exploring a variety of styles of dance. All skill levels welcome.
Teacher: Ms. Lawrence
Drama/Improv
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Students will read through and dramatize plays, practice improv skills, and create their own short skits.
Teacher: Mrs. Burke
Fitness Fun
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Be active at the end of the school day! Equipment will be provided each day, such as basketballs and volleyballs, for informal play and skill practice.
Teacher: Mrs. Burke
Folklore, Legends and Myths
2nd Trimester
Students will have a chance to listen to folklore, legends and myths. They will explore the origins of these tales, listen to some of their music and view or create art from the time period.
Teacher: Mrs. Jewett
Good Morning Grant
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Students will produce and provide morning announcements for Grant.
Teacher: Mr. Orellana
Geology
1st Trimester
Learn some identification techniques, and surprising facts about rocks and the area we live in. We will discuss gems to geodes and take a field-trip or two.
Teacher: Mrs. Jewett
Honors 7th Grade Spanish
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Students will be going through the first half of high school Spanish I. This course is a year long commitment.
Teacher: Mrs. Sumption
Honors 8th Grade Spanish
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Students will be going through the second half of high school Spanish I. This course is a year long commitment.
Teacher: Mrs. Sumption
Pottery/Candle Making
2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester
Students will work with kiln fired clay and create seasonal themed scented candles. This course will require students to design/plan and complete a sheet for approval before beginning each project. Baby wipes/ziplock bag donations appreciated.
Teacher: Mrs. Jewett
Reading Club
2nd Trimester
A welcoming space for students to read, talk about books, and share ideas. Bring your favorite book…and maybe even a treat to share once in a while. 😁
Grading is based on in-class participation.
Teacher: Mr. Sharpe
Robotics
1st Trimester
Learn robotic concepts, building with VEX robotics hardware and programming. Skills will be used to accomplish specific tasks.
Teacher: Mr. Orellana
Strategy Games/Role Playing
1st Trimester, 3rd Trimester
A time and place to play role-playing, creative-thinking, and strategy-based games.
Grading is based on in-class participation.
Teacher: Mr. Sharpe
Study Hall
1st Trimester
A quiet time to get homework completed before you go home. Students may also be placed in this class through teacher recommendation.
Teacher: Mrs. Jewett
2nd Trimester
A quiet time to get homework completed before you go home. Students may also be placed in this class through teacher recommendation.
Teacher: Ms. Raney
3rd Trimester
A quiet time to get homework completed before you go home. Students may also be placed in this class through teacher recommendation.
Teacher: Mrs. Jewett
Theatre Tech
1st Trimester
Learn about the “show behind the show!” We will start the year with a Production Planning Project–choose a show and design mock-ups of sets, lighting, costumes, and makeup, and block a scene/musical number.
Great for students planning to work backstage during musical (but not required).
Great for students planning to work backstage during musical (but not required).
Teacher: Ms. Knott
2nd Trimester
Students will have the opportunity to work on various prop and set design projects for the spring production of Dare to Dream Jr. If you’re artsy, organized, and can meet working deadlines, come support the show in this way!
Cast members are also welcome to sign up to use this as a space to work on lines, choreography, blocking, or homework.
Teacher: Ms. Knott
3rd Trimester
To wrap up the year, we will be doing a “Book to Screen to Stage” study, learning how words on a page become a movie and are then transferred to live theatre (or vice versa, taking a stage show and adapting it for the big screen).
We will read various script excerpts, paying close attention to direction and design notes, as well as watch clips from corresponding movies and musicals.
Possible show studies may include Wicked, Shrek, The Prince of Egypt, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, and more!
Teacher: Ms. Knott
Yearbook
1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester
Join Yearbook! Learn to prioritize tasks, capture memories with photography, and master professional email and interviewing skills. Must commit for the first two semesters with optional 3rd trimester.
Teacher: Ms. Raney
3rd Trimester
Learn to prioritize tasks, capture memories with photography, and master professional email and interviewing skills. (Hopefully schedule a trip to Modesto for a yearbook design class.)
Teacher: Ms. Raney
