Fun Facts About Electives
Future 7th & 8th Graders
What it will look like as a 7th or 8th Grader?
- 6 Classes Daily
- Core classes of English, Science and Social Studies will be selected for you
- You must select 1 semester of PE or Partner PE
- You will select your Elective classes
- Electives are Yearlong or a Semester
Yearlong Electives
- Music
- Spanish
Semester Electives
- Student Government/Leadership
- PE 7 & 8
- Partner PE
- Walking Class
- STEM Innovation Lab
- Ceramics & Visual Art
- Yearbook
Yearlong Electives
Whitman Music
Class options: No experience needed: Introductory Band, Introductory Orchestra.
Experience Needed: Intermediate Band and Concert Orchestra.
By Audition Only: Concert Band
Band Instruments
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- French Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Baritone & Tuba
- Percussion (learn mallets + drums)
Orchestra Instruments
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
- Piano & Harp by permission only (must be taking private lessons outside of school and talk to Ms. Gunn)
Things Our Students Say About Music
- “It’s a fun hobby that has a rewarding payoff”
- “This is my favorite class of the day!”
- “A life long skill I can always come back to”
- “Now that I’ve started playing I can’t stop”
- “Music is my second family”
Fast Facts
- Play three concerts a year on our stage.
- Learn to play music from movies, rock/pop, classical, fiddling, jazz, and music from other countries!
- Our classes go on field trips to UW, Western Washington University, WildWaves, and more!
- 40% of our music students started playing their instrument in middle school so it’s never too late!
- Whitman has instruments to loan for free
- Learn more on the Whitman Music Program page.
What about Jazz Band and Drumline? Jazz Band is a 0-Period class before school and is not included in the electives selection process. Please contact Ms. Gunn if you are interested in joining Jazz Band. Drumline is a club after school anyone is welcome to join.
Spanish 1 and 2
- Spanish 1 in 7th or 8th grade
- Spanish 2 in 8th grade (for those who took Spanish 1 in 7th grade)
- Each year worth 1 high school credit (transfers to high school with grade)
- Counts toward high school graduation requirement (2 credits of the same world language)
- Students may take a placement test in the Spring to enter Spanish 2 without taking Spanish 1
Why Learn Spanish?
- After English, Spanish is the most common language spoken at home in the US.
- Spanish is the official language in 20 different countries!
- You can lean about tother cultures or diversity within your own!
- You can travel and have access to different jobs
- Language learning is fun!
- We learn Spanish through: Music, Games, Books, Videos, and Group Work
Staff
- Laura Howell
- Katie Storrs
Semester Electives
Student Government/Leadership
Plan Events
- Dances
- Lunch activities
- Pride Store
Build Confidence
- Speaking in public
- Leading others
- Organization and completion
Having a voice
- Policies
- Fundraisers
- Student Budget
PE 7 & 8
In PE classes, students participate in activities that focus on 3 main areas.
- Increased personal fitness (cardio, muscle endurance, strength and flexibility)
- Improved motor skills (kicking, throwing, catching striking and many more
- Increased knowledge of health and fitness content (learning about body systems, nutrition, fitness concepts, goal setting, consumerism, safety and first aid and more)
Partner PE
The Partner PE Program provides and opportunity for student to be partners an supports for students with disabilities in their modified physical education class. The class offerings could include team sports, individual sports and exercises. Principles taught in this class will follow the physical education core curriculum and enhance teaching and learning skills for students. Partner PE will fulfill your semester PE requirement.
Walking Class
YES! Just walking!
- A new course each day
- Walk and talk with your friends
- Listen to music
- Dress out or not!
STEM Innovation Lab
Open to 7th and 8th Graders (yes, you may may repeat this course!)
- Create mobile apps and games using block coding with real-time testing on classroom iPads
- Use MakeCode Arcade to program games for a virtual classroom arcade.
- Use our coding skills to program virtual robots in challenging environments such as a coral reef, a castle, and randomized mazes
- Build, test, and write block code for your own custom-designed robots, using state-of-the-art VEX Robotics equipment
Ceramics & Visual Art
Whitman MS Ceramics & Visual Art
Instructor: Dever K. Dunnett
Students grow artistically in a a safe, fun, and creative environment as the artistic boundaries of imagination are pushed.
Learn more on the Ceramics & Virtual Art page.
Yearbook
Students who choose Yearbook for a semester will be responsible for putting the Whitman Middle School Yearbook together.
Registering for Electives Overview
- You get to choose between 4 semester Electives and 1 or 2 yearlong Electives
- Select 2 Alternate Elective classes
- Everyone will get an Elective Worksheet to fill out
- Use your Elective Worksheet to help request your classes online
- Turn in your Elective Worksheet to Advisor or Office
Questions?
- Talk to your current grade level counselor if you have questions about electives or what electives you should sign up for the school year.
- 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 17, 2024