Chorus
This is a yearlong, non-auditioned class. Students will perform a wide variety of music styles including pop, show, traditional, classical and folk. Music theory, sight- reading, proper vocal technique, musicianship and music history are taught and assessed throughout the year.This is in accordance with the Californica Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Drama, movement activities, and the opportunity for solos and small ensembles will also be included during the year. There will be a mandatory evening concert each trimester. Students must be enrolled in this class if they plan to audition for the district middle school honor choir.
7th & 8th Grade students will be able to enroll in special Music Expression Projects during the 2nd Trimester; they may be involved in producing music related video, special Honor ensembles, or other creative projects.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is an advanced level class for 7th and 8th grade students who have had two to three years of experience on wind or percussion instruments and perform at a high caliber. Students learn advanced skills in sight-reading, musicianship, music history, and theory in accordance with the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework while working on advanced literature. Throughout the year, students may have additional opportunities such as the district honor orchestra, all southern and all state honor groups and field trip. The class includes 4 performances. Students may use their own instrument, rent, or borrow one from the school if available.
During the Second Trimester students will be able to enroll in special Musical Expression Projects. They may be involved in producing music related video, special Honor ensembles, or other creative projects.
Chamber Orchestra
The Chamber Orchestra is a year-long course for 7th and 8th grade musicians who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Advanced 6th grade students may audition to join Chamber Orchestra if there are no scheduling conflicts. The orchestra will develop ensemble playing skills and teamwork along with sight-reading, music history, and theory in accordance with the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Students participate in three performances per year, featuring various genres including classical, jazz, fiddle, movie, and popular music. Additional enrichment opportunities are offered for students seeking more performance experience, including the IUSD Middle School Honor Orchestra, All-Southern and All-State Orchestras. Students may use their own instrument, rent, or borrow one from the school if available.
During the Second Trimester students will be able to enroll in special Musical Expression Projects. They may be involved in producing music related video, special Honor ensembles, or other creative projects.
AVID
AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, helps future leaders toward college success and beyond. This course will prepare students for the rigors of college preparatory classes by providing study and organizational skills, as well as tutorial help from college mentors. Students are taught study skills, note-taking, time management, writing skills, and research skills, while being immersed in a college-going culture. The class also includes tutoring sessions that may be led by college students and provide support for success in the academically rigorous curriculum. Additionally, the AVID class provides access to information about colleges
and universities through field trips, guest speakers, college tutors, scholarship opportunities, and college admission requirement information. The profile of an AVID student is a 2.0-3.5 GPA, first generation student in a family to attend college, and highly motivated.
Leadership / ASB
Students in this class meet during an elective period, before/after school (periodically), and during lunch periods to plan, organize student activities, and assist ASB leaders for the school year in assemblies, spirit activities, and dances
Visual / Commercial Art
This course will build skills for students to communicate using commercial application of design principles. Students will study the historical and cultural development of two-dimensional art and its impact as a communication tool. Students will become familiar with current practices and applications including computer design and career focused traditional arts disciplines. Students in this course will also learn basic skills of Adobe illustrator to create surface patterns on fabric and create items using the laser cutter. This class will also focus on marketing tools and learning to sell their own creations online and in person Students will be expected to attend one afterschool booth sale.
Visual Art
In this year-long course students will learn to build artistic habits such as observation, experimentation, creative problem solving and reflection. Students will engage in a variety of art mediums to express their creativity. Students will learn traditional techniques using paper pencil as well as digital art using ipads and Apple pencils.
Digital Photography/Graphic Arts
Digital Photography / Graphic Arts is a yearlong course, designed to give you the next level in digital photography and graphic arts. Students will learn to use the DSLR cameras to take photos that follow the elements of art as well as the principles of design. This class will also have an emphasis on the editing process using Adobe Photoshop.
Spanish 1
Spanish 1 is a full year high school level elective course for 8th grade students. Students will begin to study Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as develop a cultural understanding of many diverse Spanish-speaking countries. Students who complete this course successfully will be recommended for Spanish 2 in 9th grade.
STEM (Science Olympiad)
Placement Criteria: Must have all ‘S’ and ‘O’ marks for citizenship and work habits for the previous year and must be independent workers capable of continuing projects at home. Class includes the use of power tools so students must be responsible independent workers. Interested students will be admitted to this elective based on test results from a test covering general science concepts from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, and Experimental Design. Test date held in Spring.
Science Olympiad's ever-changing line-up of events in all STEM disciplines exposes students to practicing scientists and career choices, and energizes students with a dynamic content experience. Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever- changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal. Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad
encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. Teams will work together to prepare for the regional Science Olympiad competition in February. Following the Science Olympiad competition, all students will participate in advanced Science Workshop activities that are engaging and hands-on.
Teacher Assistant
**Prerequisite: All “S’s” or “O’s” in citizenship, work habits, & effort in previous grade level, Application and interview.
This is a non-academic course for 7th and 8th graders. Student aides will be responsible for assisting classroom teachers, including – but not limited to -- setting up materials for projects and labs, assisting with organization and filing, photocopying, assisting teachers with classroom duties such as passing out assignments, assisting students and collecting assignments. This can run as a Yearlong elective or as a Trimester Elective as part of the Exploratory Wheel. Parents must sign an acknowledgement that their student is enrolling in a non-academic course. Teacher approval required.
Office Aide
**Prerequisite: All “S’s” or “O’s” in citizenship, work habits, & effort in previous grade level Application and interview.
This is a non-academic course for 7th and 8th graders. Office aides will assist the front office staff with various tasks pertaining to students and faculty, including getting students from classrooms, handing out daily attendance rosters, assisting with special projects and greeting guests that come to Beacon Park School. This can run as a Yearlong elective or as a Trimester Elective as part of the Exploratory Wheel. Parents must sign an acknowledgement that their student is enrolling in a non-academic course. Administration approval required.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy (IVA) - 7th and 8th grade only
Some students may wish to take advantage of the opportunity to blend courses between virtual and in-person models.
7th - 8th grade students who would like to take 1-2 classes at IUSD Virtual Academy could have requested courses through AERIES last school year. These were requests only and are not automatically part of a student’s schedule. Additional conversations with school counselors or administrators will likely be needed within the registration process.
Key considerations for blending your educational experience:
- Blends will be contingent on scheduling at both sites, including space availability.
- Students will need to retain primary enrollment at either the home school site or IVA. Primary enrollment is defined at 4 classes.
- Students can take a maximum of 7 classes between the two sites.
Considerations for enrollment:
- The student has an interest in taking a blended learning class and understands the expectations of such course work, including weekly online attendance and due dates.
- The student requires scheduling flexibility for considerations such as: socio-emotional support, an internship, elite athletic obligations, and/or family circumstances.
- The class is not offered at the student’s school (e.g. specific world language).
Though the official registration window has closed for IVA, if an 8th grade student wishes to enroll in a world language other than Spanish, we will work to see if that can be a possibility.
Math Lab
Math Lab is an elective that includes instruction aligned with the California Common Core Math standards, with a strong emphasis on practicing basic skills, error analysis, and building both conceptual and computation skills. The course is highly structured and includes direct instruction, small group rotations, computer-based ST Math, and independent practice. Students discover the fun in math and learn how to advocate for their learning in math. **Students are recommended based on teacher feedback, grades, SBAC and STAR Renaissance math scores.
Reading Lab
Reading Lab is an elective that includes instruction aligned with the California Common Core English Language Arts standards, with a strong emphasis in reading intervention and support. Students rotate between instruction focused on active reading strategies, and a research based, computer adaptive, technology program called Read 180 that hones skills in terms of fluency and comprehension. The course components include: emphasis on previewing and working on mastery of content specific vocabulary, building content background knowledge, active reading strategies to help foster comprehension, honing fluency skills with attention to oral reading practice (pacing, expression, intonation), summary and writing skills aligned with reading, and practice and instructions on test-taking strategies **Students are recommended based on teacher feedback, grades, SBAC and STAR Renaissance reading scores.
Directed Studies
This course focuses on consistent student use of the planner. Assignments are verified daily. Planners are frequently checked. Teachers are consulted about assignments and due dates. General principles of organization and study habits are discussed and demonstrated. Students will discover their style of learning and come up with specific strategies to improve their effectiveness as learners. Students are given the opportunity to complete assignments in class and on the computer. By teacher recommendation only.
The Irvine Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. Course enrollment shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student's actual or perceived characteristics such as race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, immigration status, age, religion, actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, or the exclusion of any person because of pregnancy or related condition, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
The District does not discriminate in enrollment in or access to any of the activities and programs available. Admission to these programs is based on age appropriateness, class space, interest, aptitude, and prerequisite coursework where applicable. The lack of English skills shall not be a barrier to admission to or participation in the District’s activities and programs. The Irvine Unified School District also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.