6th Grade (Incoming) Electives Course Registration & Descriptions
Incoming 6th Grade Online Electives Course Registration
Welcome Incoming 6th Grade Students
Welcome Incoming 6th grade Whitman Middle School Families for the School Year 2026-2027! We are so happy your student will be joining us on their middle school journey. If you have questions about the registration process, please contact the school registrar Elaine Llandover: elllandover@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-1208 and explain your situation so she can help you out!
- April 21, 2026 (after 9 a.m.): Incoming 6th Grade Students Elective Registration Begins
- SPS Enrollment results available to view online
- May 8, 2026 (4 p.m.): Incoming 6th Grade Elective Selection Ends
All Students are required to take 1 Semester of Fine Arts and 1 Semester of PE per Year.
Fine Arts Information
One (1) semester of a Fine Arts course is required per Washington State mandate (Senate Bill 5878). The minimum is one semester, and you will notice some classes that fill the requirement last for a full year (these are referred to as yearlong electives). Available Fine Arts classes are any yearlong music class, or semester-long art class. If you choose a yearlong elective to meet your Fine Art requirement, then you will only need to choose one additional elective. Elective descriptions follow below.
PE Information
Important PE Program Note: Grade 6 students are automatically assigned PE for 1 semester a year.
Physical Education This program provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, lead up games, team sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in skills, rules and strategies associated with the different sports and games as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities, and the components of fitness. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition. Students will automatically be assigned to Physical Education. This is a one semester course.
Not Attending Next Year? Let Us Know
If your plans change and you will not be attending Whitman MS, please contact the school registrar Elaine Llandover: elllandover@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-1208. If your plans change and you will not be attending Whitman MS, please complete the district Online Not Attending Next Year Form. Thank you.
Registration Information For 2026-27
Below are the two combinations to refer to when you are choosing electives:
Most students have 2 electives per semester – a total of 4 electives per year. Grade 6 students will automatically be assigned PE, which counts for 1 elective. Incoming 6th graders will choose either a yearlong music course and/or semester electives.
- Either 1 yearlong and 1 semester elective
- OR
- Choose 3 semester electives
Remember, PE is scheduled automatically and counts as 1 elective.
Students must also choose alternates. Students may not get their first choice so they must choose something that they haven’t already chosen, including a yearlong music course. Please read through the course descriptions below.
Students Need to Complete 3 Steps
- Important Note! Log onto the Source with student’s username and password, (not parents).
- Students/Parents log onto the Source Account (student account) and select Class Registration within the Source menu. This will take you to the Registration Home Page. If you have multiple students coming to Whitman next year, repeat all steps for each student in their respective accounts.
- Registration Home Page: This page is divided into rows of elective categories. Required categories have red exclamation marks. Click on the (tiny) pencil icon on the right side of the row to view the list of individual electives for that category. To select an elective, click anywhere in that row; it will turn blue when selected. If you change your mind, simply uncheck the row and begin again. When finished, click okay at the bottom right of the screen to submit your elective request(s).
- Error Message: If you get an error message, double check what you selected to make sure you have the correct number of electives. Too many or not enough will cause an error.
Need help with Registration?
- If you have questions about the online electives registration process, or you miss the registration window please contact the school registrar Elaine Llandover: elllandover@seattleschools.org. We accept registration through the end of the school year (2026), and the source is only one method by which we collect this data.
Electives Descriptions
Fine Arts Yearlong Electives 2026-27
Music
Introductory Band This course is for beginning students and students with prior musical experience. They will learn to read and interpret sheet music correctly, play as an ensemble, and follow a conductor. Students will learn and improve technique and learn several exciting, diverse pieces of music. Band instruments are flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Students who have other musical experience are welcome to take the course and learn a new instrument. We will help provide instruments to families. This is a yearlong course.
Introductory Orchestra This course is for students who have little to no previous training on a string instrument. They will learn the basic techniques of posture, caring for the instrument and bow, position, bowing techniques, fingerings, and basic reading of rhythms and notes. They will also learn to play as an ensemble, follow a conductor, and learn several exciting, diverse pieces of music. Orchestra instruments are violin, viola, cello, and acoustic bass. Students who have other musical experience are welcome to take the course and learn a new instrument. We will help provide instruments to families. This is a yearlong course.
New! Theatre Beginning This introductory course is for all students looking to develop skills in acting and performing in front of others. Public speaking, creative problem solving, and collaboration are explored through creative activities, voice and movement exercises, improvisation, story structure, creating character, and scene study. No previous theatre experience necessary. All students are welcome. This course may be repeated for credit.
Fine Arts Semester Electives 2026-27
Fine Arts
Ceramics Beginning Do you like working with your hands and building things? In Ceramics Beginning, you will create a variety of projects using hand building techniques such as pinch, coil, slab, sculpting, and possibly how to “throw” clay on the pottery wheel. Experiment with different ways to add color and decoration to your projects which may include cups, plates, vases, pitchers, spoons, monsters, and more. Collaborate with others while managing the studio and caring for the materials, tools, and equipment. No previous experience necessary. All students are welcome. This is a one semester course.
New! STEAM Innovation Lab: Counts as Fine Arts or Other Elective
In this course, you will bring together science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to solve real-world problems through design challenges and the creative process. You’ll explore things such as 2D and 3D design and printing, animation, video and film editing, photography, coding, robotics, circuits, and game design. You will learn how to use current and emerging digital technologies for artistic expression while collaborating with others to manage safe and proper use of STEAM materials, tools, and equipment. No previous experience necessary. Available to Grades 6 & 7 only.
Visual Art Beginning Welcome to Visual Art Beginning! Spark your imagination while exploring and experimenting with drawing, painting, sculpture, and more in a supportive community of creative learners. Express, celebrate, and reflect on your unique perspective, ideas, culture, and feelings with individual and group projects while using the Elements of Art and Principals of Design. No previous experience necessary. All students are welcome. This is a one semester course.
Other Semester Electives
New! Math Empowerment 2.0 An additional math class, taken concurrently with grade-level math, designed to support students in the core class through pre-teaching and focusing on math habits, growth mindset, and cultural and historical contributions to math. We highly encourage any incoming Grade 6 students who have scored Level 1 on their 5th grade SBA to take this elective. This is a one semester course.
New! STEAM Innovation Lab: Counts as Other Elective or Fine Arts
In this course, you will bring together science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to solve real-world problems through design challenges and the creative process. You’ll explore things such as 2D and 3D design and printing, animation, video and film editing, photography, coding, robotics, circuits, and game design. You will learn how to use current and emerging digital technologies for artistic expression while collaborating with others to manage safe and proper use of STEAM materials, tools, and equipment. No previous experience necessary. Available to Grades 6 & 7 only. This is a one semester course.
Student Government Student leaders, elected and appointed, meet regularly to set standards, encourage student participation in school activities, enhance school environment, both physical and academic, and to provide leadership for the student body. Students will Plan Events such as dances, lunch activities and pride store, Have a Voice regarding school policies, fundraisers and student budget, Build Confidence by speaking in public, leading others and learning organization and task completion. This is a one semester course.
New! Team Sports The emphasis in this offering is on the development of physical fitness and skills in the traditional sports from beginning to advanced. An attempt will be made to develop skills to the point where enjoyment in the activities presented will have carry-over value into recreational activities of adult life. Team sports skills such as those of touch football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, baseball, floor hockey, field hockey, speed ball, etc., may be covered. At least three different activities are included in the course. This is a one semester course.
New! Theatre Beginning This introductory course is for all students looking to develop skills in acting and performing in front of others. Public speaking, creative problem solving, and collaboration are explored through creative activities, voice and movement exercises, improvisation, story structure, creating character, and scene study. No previous theatre experience necessary. All students are welcome. This course may be repeated for credit. This is a one semester course.
Yearbook Students will learn the basics of photography and design layout/composition while working on school yearbook. Depending on the teacher, during yearbook downtime/after completion, students could also learn the basics of news writing and contribute articles to an online newspaper. Students could also learn to script, produce and edit podcasts using GarageBand. This is a one semester course.
As of April 1, 2026