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Sturgis Middle School

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Course Electives

Learning That Fits Every Student

Every student learns differently and that's something we celebrate. Sturgis Middle School offers a wide variety of electives, hands-on experiences, and personalized learning opportunities that encourage students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and grow with confidence both inside and outside the classroom.

Class Opportunities

  • Students can develop their artistic voice while exploring drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, fiber arts, and other two- and three-dimensional media. The following courses are offered: 

    • Intro to Art: Explore drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and other creative media while learning the Elements of Art and building a strong artistic foundation.
    • Art 2: Build on foundational skills while exploring the Principles of Design through two- and three-dimensional projects that encourage personal creativity. Prerequisite: Intro to Art
    • Art 3: Strengthen your artistic voice through more advanced projects, studio critiques, and a deeper exploration of artistic inspiration. Prerequisite: Art 3
    • Art 4 Workshop: Develop your own artistic style by designing self-directed projects while expanding your portfolio and creative process. Prerequisite: Art 4
    • Advanced Art: Create portfolio-quality artwork, refine your technical skills, and develop your personal style through advanced studio experiences.

  • Students can learn an instrument, strengthen their musical abilities, perform for audiences, and have the opportunity to participate in concerts, festivals, honors groups, and other special events. The following courses are offered:

    Band

    • First-Year Woodwinds: Begin your musical journey by learning the flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, or bassoon while developing music reading and ensemble performance skills. 
    • First-Year Brass: Learn the fundamentals of trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, or tuba while building confidence as a musician and performer.
    • Second-Year Band: Refine your musical technique while preparing for concerts, Solo & Ensemble, Honors Band, and festival performances. Prerequisite: One year of band experience
    • Third-Year Band: Advance your musicianship through challenging music, festivals, competitions, and the unique opportunity to perform with the Sturgis High School Marching Band. Prerequisite: Two years of band experience

    Orchestra

    • First-Year Violin and Viola: Learn the fundamentals of violin or viola while developing performance skills and preparing for your first orchestra concert.
    • First-Year Cello, Bass, Harp and Guitar: Begin learning a lower string instrument, harp, or guitar while building foundational techniques and performing with fellow musicians.
    • First-Year Full Orchestra: Combine your beginning string experience into a full orchestra while advancing your skills and performing spring concerts. 
    • Second-Year Orchestra: Continue developing your technique while performing increasingly challenging music at concerts, festivals, and special events. Prerequisite: One year of orchestra experience 
    • Third-Year Orchestra: Master advanced performance techniques while participating in district clinics, Solo & Ensemble Festival, Orchestra Festival, and additional performances throughout the year. Prerequisite: Two years of orchestra experience 

    Choir

    • Sixth-Grade Choir: Develop your singing voice while learning music theory, sight-reading, and vocal performance through concerts and optional honors choir auditions.
    • Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Choir: Strengthen your vocal skills through advanced choral music, performances, festivals, and opportunities to audition for Michigan honors choirs.

    Guitars

    • Guitars: Learn the fundamentals of guitar through chords, strumming patterns, tablature, and music reading while playing recognizable songs and building confidence as a musician.
    • Advance Guitars: Build on your guitar skills by mastering advanced chords, techniques, music reading, and performance pieces while expanding your musical ability and confidence. Prerequisite: Guitars

  • Students explore performance, visual storytelling, creative writing, media production, and the ways stories are brought to life. The following courses are offered: 

    • Theatre: Develop confidence through acting, improvisation, character development, scriptwriting, and live performance while learning the fundamentals of theatre.
    • History and Art of Film: Explore the history of filmmaking while creating original films and discovering how music, lighting, camera work, and storytelling bring stories to life.
    • Myths and Legends: Journey through myths, legends, and tall tales from around the world while strengthening reading comprehension through stories, games, videos, and creative projects.
    • Journalism: Report on school and community stories while developing skills in interviewing, writing, photography, editing, and multimedia production.
    • Yearbook: Capture the school year through photography, writing, design, and editing while collaborating to create the official Sturgis Middle School yearbook.

  • Students use technology and design tools to solve problems, develop digital skills, explore engineering concepts, and create original projects. The following courses are offered: 

    • Applied Mathematics 1: Build technology skills through digital literacy, keyboarding, coding, engineering, and design while exploring how technology shapes everyday life and future careers.
    • Applied Mathematics 2: Expand your engineering and design skills by creating projects with industry-inspired software while exploring architecture, 3D modeling, and problem-solving through design.

  • Students learn measurement, drafting, shop safety, woodworking techniques, and project construction through progressively challenging hands-on courses. The following courses are provided:

    • Introduction to Woodshop: Learn the fundamentals of woodworking through measuring, drafting, shop safety, and hands-on projects using basic tools and equipment.
    • Intermediate Woodshop: Build on your woodworking skills by creating more detailed projects while improving precision, drafting techniques, and safe use of woodworking machinery. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodshop
    • Advanced Woodshop: Take your craftsmanship to the next level by designing scaled drawings, creating house floor plans, and completing advanced woodworking projects using industry-style techniques. Prerequisite: Intermediate Woodshop

  • Students investigate historical questions, understand government and economics, and connect classroom learning to current issues and real-life decisions. The following courses are offered:

    • Heroes vs. Villains: Research influential historical figures and determine whether their actions shaped history as a hero, a villain, or something in between through project-based learning.
    • Economics I: Develop real-world financial skills by exploring budgeting, investing, entrepreneurship, and smart money management for life after high school.
    • Economics II: Examine today's economy by exploring topics such as inflation, supply and demand, debt, and other economic issues that impact everyday life. Prerequisite: Economics I
    • Government: Discover how the U.S. government works while drafting legislation, practicing parliamentary procedures, and learning how citizens can make a difference.
    • Agriculture Project-Based Learning (PBL Social Studies): Experience agriculture through hands-on projects in plant science, animal science, landscaping, and food production while exploring careers that help feed the world.

  • Students build confidence, empathy, leadership, collaboration, and communication while making a positive difference throughout the school. The following course is offered: 

    • Lighthouse: Lead by example while planning school events, serving others, and helping build a positive, welcoming culture at Sturgis Middle School. Prerequisite: Application approval

  • Students develop skills that support their physical safety, emotional well-being, personal responsibility, and success in everyday life. The following courses are offered:

    • CPR: Learn lifesaving skills, including CPR, AED use, rescue breathing, and emergency response for common injuries and medical situations.
    • Emotional Wellness: Build confidence, resilience, and self-management by developing emotional regulation, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills for success in school and beyond.
    • Health: Develop the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy decisions, build lifelong wellness habits, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This course is required for all 8th grade students. 
    • Middle School PE 1: Build lifelong fitness through team sports, recreational activities, and exercises that improve strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall health. This course is required for all 6th grade students.
    • Middle School PE 2: Continue developing athletic skills and healthy habits through team sports, fitness training, and an introduction to strength training. Prerequisite: Middle School PE 1
    • Advanced Physical Education: Challenge yourself through advanced sports, weightlifting, goal setting, and year-round fitness activities while developing leadership and sportsmanship. Prerequisite: Teacher approval

Individualized Learning & Student Support

Sturgis Middle School provides specialized instruction and academic support based on individual student needs. These courses help students strengthen academic, communication, organizational, vocational, and independent living skills through individualized instruction and supportive learning environments. Course placement is based on student needs, educational plans, and recommendations from the student’s educational team.

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Academic Support

Receive personalized instruction and targeted support to strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, and achieve success across all academic areas. These courses are based on placement to meet student needs. 

  • Guided Academics: Strengthen organization, study habits, time management, and academic skills while receiving personalized support for success across all classes.
  • Resource Reading: Build reading comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and writing skills through individualized instruction designed to increase confidence and literacy. 
  • Resource Math: Develop mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills through individualized instruction that reinforces foundational and grade-level math concepts. 

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Modified Academic Courses

Students receive individualized instruction through a modified curriculum designed to strengthen foundational academic skills, increase independence, and support success based on each student's learning needs and educational goals. These courses are based on placement to meet student needs. 

  • ELA Concepts: Develop reading, writing, speaking, and language skills through a modified curriculum tailored to individual learning needs.
  • Math Concepts: Build foundational math skills through hands-on activities and real-world applications using a modified curriculum designed to support individual growth.
  • Social Studies Concepts: Explore history, geography, civics, government, and economics through adapted lessons and interactive learning experiences.
  • STEM: Engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math projects that develop problem-solving skills through a modified curriculum.

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Independent and Life Skills

Students build the practical, communication, and independent living skills needed for success at school, at home, and in the community through personalized, hands-on learning experiences.

  • Lifeskills: Develop daily living, vocational, academic, and social-emotional skills through real-world activities in a structured and supportive environment. Prerequisite: Placement based on student needs
  • Independent Skills: Build independence by strengthening communication, self-advocacy, organization, and everyday life skills through individualized instruction. Prerequisite: Placement based on student needs
  • Independent Skills Level 4: Gain real-world experience by developing vocational, communication, and independent living skills through hands-on learning, including operating the student-run coffee shop. Prerequisite: Placement based on student needs
  • Peer-to-Peer: Promote inclusion and build meaningful connections by partnering with classmates while developing leadership, empathy, and communication skills. Prerequisite: Application required

Continue Exploring Our Curriculum

Electives are just one part of the Sturgis Middle School experience. Learn more about our core academic programs, grade-level curriculum, and the educational opportunities available to students in grades 6–8.

 

 

Explore the 6-8 Curriculum