6th Grade Electives Registration
Elective Course Selection
School Year 2024-25
Elective Registration Begins –
Monday, April 29 Through Friday, May 10
Welcome Incoming 6th grade Whitman Middle School Families! We are so happy your student will be joining us on their middle school journey.
On Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 10 incoming 6th graders will be able to register online for their Electives. Instructions on how to register online through your student’s source account can be found below.
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.
Below are the two combinations to refer to when you are choosing 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.
Important Changes for 6th Graders in 2024-25
One (1) semester of a Fine Arts course is required per Washington State mandate (Senate Bill 5878), beginning in the 24-25 school year. 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). 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.
If you have questions about the registration process, please contact the school registrar Elaine Llandover: elllandover@seattleschools.org.
Not Attending Next Year? Let Us Know
If your plans change and you will not be attending Whitman MS, please complete the district Online Not Attending Next Year Form. Thank you.
Electives Course Online Registration
Open Window April 29 – May 10, 2024
Students Need to Complete 3 Steps
- From the Source: Students will log into their 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 (2024), and the source is only one method by which we collect this data.
Yearlong Electives 24-25
Fine Arts: 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.
Semester Electives 24-25
Fine Arts: The 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.
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 Electives
STEM Modeling A Technology and Science course where students construct and analyze models to explore concepts and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 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.
Walking Class Yes, just walking! Non-competitive physical education activity to stress fun and fitness. Students will walk a new course each day where they can walk and talk with their friends, listen to music, and dress for PE or wear your own clothes. Please note this class is titled ALTERN ACTIVITIES online. 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.
All Grade 6 Assigned to PE
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.
As of April 17, 2024