7th & 8th Grade Elective Course Descriptions

Math, Fine Arts, & PE Overview
Yearlong Courses
Semester Courses
Other Semester Electives

Important Elective Information

Math, Fine Arts, & PE Overview

Math

7th Graders have the choice of taking Math 7 or Math 7/8 Compacted (refer to course descriptions below). Please make your choice when you register online.
- Mathematics 7 Students develop understanding of operations with rational numbers and proportional relationships; apply proportional relationships; and work with expressions.
- Math 7/8 Compacted Prepares 7th grade students to take Algebra 1 in 8th by compacting the content of Math 7 and Math 8 into one year. Students develop understanding of operations with rational numbers and proportional relationships; apply proportional relationships; work with irrational numbers, radicals and integer exponents; and work with expressions, linear equations and inequalities. Only open to 7th grade students.
8th Graders can take 2 math classes, Math 8 & Algebra 1 (refer to course descriptions below) If you opt to take 2 math classes, you will lose an elective. If you want to add a second math class, please email Assistant Principal, Leanne Dunlap; lmdunlap@seattleschools.org
- Mathematics 8 Students will reason about expressions and equations, including modeling bivariate data and solving linear equations; use functions to describe quantitative relationships; and work with irrational numbers, radicals and integer exponents.
- Algebra 1 Students model and analyze real-world and mathematical situations using linear and exponential equations and functions. Students will receive high school credit on their transcript for this course.

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

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.

Elective Descriptions 2026-27

Yearlong Courses

Fine Arts Music

Introductory Band Welcome to Introductory Band! This course is for students who want to learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument such as flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, snare drum, and more. Come join a welcoming community committed to building lasting relationships where all learners succeed. You will learn instrumental technique, musicianship, and perform many styles of music. No previous experience necessary. All students are welcome. This course may be repeated.

Intermediate Band This course is open to students with prior musical experience. Students will improve technique on their instruments and learn to play as an ensemble, follow a conductor, and learn several exciting, diverse pieces of music. Band instruments are flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Piano and guitar are not in band, however, students with that experience are welcome to learn a band instrument to participate. Admission is by audition, teacher approval, or completion of Introductory Band. This course may be repeated.

Concert Band This ensemble requires successful completion of Intermediate Band or its equivalent. Students will expand their knowledge and skills through instrumental technique and literature as well as explore more advanced concepts of ensemble playing. There will be three school concerts as well as other festivals and performances outside of school. Travel is a required part of this class (one weekend in May, not labor day weekend). Admission is by audition or teacher approval. This course may be repeated.

Introductory Orchestra Discover the expressive world of string instruments! Introductory Orchestra is for students who want to learn the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Come join a welcoming community set on building lasting relationships where all learners succeed. You will learn different skills on your instrument through exciting styles of orchestra music. No previous experience necessary. All students are welcome. This course may be repeated.

Intermediate Orchestra This yearlong course is for students who have multiple years of experience on violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Be part of a welcoming community and build lasting relationships through performing in school concerts and traveling to regional festivals. Continue to expand your instrumental technique, musicianship, and perform many styles of music. Admission is by audition, teacher approval, or completion of Introductory Orchestra. This course may be repeated.

Concert Orchestra This course is for students who have successfully completed Introductory Orchestra, or who demonstrate the required skills in an audition. Students will expand their knowledge and skills through instrumental technique and literature and will explore more advanced concepts of ensemble playing. Students will continue to improve on their instrumental skills through increased difficulty of repertoire. 8th grade students will also focus on preparing to succeed in a high school level ensemble. Travel is a required part of this class (one weekend in May, not labor day weekend). Admission is by audition or teacher approval. This course may be repeated.

World Language

Does not count as a Fine Arts Class

Spanish 1 Open to 7th and 8th graders. This course undertakes the study of basic structures that allow students to express themselves in simple sentences. Cultural enrichment is offered to students through videos, current events, readings, photographs, and projects. This course not only aims to teach students to understand, speak, read, and write Spanish at a basic level, but also to interest them in the life and culture of Spanish-speaking people. This one-year middle school course is equivalent to one year of high school Spanish 1. This is a yearlong course.

Spanish 2 Students must have successfully completed Spanish 1A & 1B or have had previous experience with Spanish (at teacher’s discretion). This course prepares students for continued high school language study and ultimately college and career through a carefully constructed course of study to build language and culture proficiency. The course leads students to further develop a global perspective while learning to communicate with people of the Spanish-speaking world and discuss historical and philosophical backgrounds that have influenced the perspectives of people of the Spanish-speaking world. This one-year middle school course is equivalent to one year of high school Spanish 2. This is a yearlong course.

Semester Courses

Fine Arts

Ceramics Beginning and Advanced Prior ceramics class not necessary. Express yourself while experimenting with beginning and advanced hand building techniques and possibly “throwing” clay on the pottery wheel. Explore, design, and refine how you add color and detail to your creations. Use your experiences and knowledge to celebrate and communicate your ideas, unique perspective, and culture through your art. Collaborate with others while managing the studio and caring for materials, tools, and equipment. This is a one semester course offered first semester only.

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.

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. 

Visual Arts Beginning and Advanced Grow your creativity and artistic skills while expressing yourself in Visual Art! Prior visual arts class not necessary. Reflect on life experiences, community, and culture while creating individual and group projects that empower you to communicate your ideas, feelings, and unique perspective. Expand your understandings of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design by creating 2D and 3D projects that may involve drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, clay, and paper mâché. This is a one semester course offered second semester only.

Other Semester Electives

New! Automation and Robotics This Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Automation and Robotics is a project-based STEM program designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of middle school students. Available to Grades 7 & 8 only.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Physical Education

Important PE Program Note: 7th & 8th Grade Students are automatically assigned PE for 1 semester a year.

Important Reminders

All students MUST select Alternate Electives. Placements are not guaranteed because of class sizes, teacher availability and budget constraints.
Alternates must be different from your primary requests. Duplicate requests can cause an error and will delete both the primary and alternative requests

If you have questions about the online form or registration process, please contact the school registrar Elaine Llandover: elllandover@seattleschools.org or 206-252-1208.

As of April 2, 2026