Oakridge Middle School has many Activity Courses to offer its students. Each student will be required to complete Health and Physical Education each year but beyond that, courses may vary. Many students choose to enroll in Band or Chorus their sixth grade year and continue throughout their middle school experience. Remaining Activity classes are assigned at random. The hope is that each student is able to experience as many offerings as possible throughout their time at OMS.

French Class

Sixth Grade:
Sixth graders learn to talk about and introduce themselves in French. They discuss  likes, dislikes and preferences. They also learn about French food, holidays, dates and different French cultural practices and traditions including building major French monuments.

Seventh Grade:
Seventh graders learn to introduce themselves and others and also to talk about their families and friends in French. They also spend time learning about French speaking Canadian culture and food and learning to talk about school and classes.

Eighth Grade:
Eighth graders will spend the semester learning to introduce themselves, discuss likes and dislikes, and expand  vocabulary to cover descriptions of themselves and others. They will learn about Paris and the castles of the Loire valley, Quebec Province in Canada and spend a unit each on French food and French colors and animals.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels: 
An iPad, a notebook and a writing utensil

Spanish Class

Sixth Grade: 
Sixth grade students will be able to understand and speak in short memorized phrases.  They will use vocabulary from several topics including greetings, introductions, colors, numbers, school materials, and Spanish speaking countries of the world..  Students are expected to keep notes and handouts  that they will use to complete major projects during the quarter.

 Seventh Grade:
Seventh grade students will learn to understand and speak in short memorized phrases.  They will learn and use vocabulary from several topics including greetings, introductions, family members, descriptions of family and friends, the city, clothing, school materials, classes and telling time.  They will be able to talk about their likes and dislikes, use comparison, explain their class schedules and speak using time to describe the order of their days..  Students are expected to keep notes and handouts  that they will use to complete major projects during the quarter.

Eighth Grade:
Eighth grade students will learn to understand and speak in full sentences using basic verbs, adjectives and agreement correctly. Topics include greetings , introductions, formal and informal language, family, school subjects, class schedules, preferences and dislikes, the city, clothing and foods.  Students are expected to keep notes and handouts  that they will use to complete major projects during the semester.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels: 
Students need a notebook or a folder, a pencil, their IPAD and headphones.

Art Class

Sixth Grade: 
This nine week art course will benefit all students. A variety of art mediums, techniques, styles, and art forms will be explored. Students will build skills with observational drawing, 2D design, 3D design, digital photography, and digital art.

Required Materials for Sixth Grade:
Wood pencil, block eraser, fine and ultra fine black Sharpies, 6x9" or 9x12" sketchbook OR pack of printer paper in a folder, iPad brought daily. Optional supplies: iPad stylus, colored pencils, glue stick, color Sharpies, markers

Seventh Grade:
This nine week art course will benefit all students. A variety of art mediums, techniques, styles, and art forms will be explored. Students will build skills with observational drawing, 2D design, 3D design, digital photography, and digital art.

 Required Materials for Seventh Grade:
Wood pencil, block eraser, fine and ultra fine black Sharpies, 6x9" or 9x12" sketchbook OR pack of printer paper in a folder, iPad brought daily. Optional supplies: iPad stylus, colored pencils, glue stick, color Sharpies, markers

Eighth Grade:
This semester art course will explore a variety of art mediums, techniques, styles, and art forms. Students will build skills with observational drawing, 2D design, 3D design, digital photography, and digital art. Students will develop their personal artistic voice through studio experiences, art media and theme choices, and a shift towards more self-directed work.

Required Materials for Eighth Grade:
Wood pencil, block eraser, fine and ultra fine black Sharpies, 6x9" or 9x12" sketchbook OR pack of printer paper in a folder, iPad brought daily. Optional supplies: iPad stylus, colored pencils, glue stick, color Sharpies, markers

Project Lead the Way Class (PLTW)

Sixth Grade: 
Project Lead the Way is an inquiry­ based program. Energy and the Environment (EE) is a 9-week unit of study.  The focus of this unit is the growing global demand for energy, available energy sources and the impact of energy consumption on the environment.  Students complete projects aimed at measuring energy, calculating energy cost, and designing a wind turbine to produce electricity.  Students investigate STEM careers and ways in which science, technology and math are used in the engineering design process.

Seventh Grade:
Project Lead the Way is an inquiry­ based program. Design and Modeling (DM) is a 9 week course.  7th graders apply the design process to creatively solve problems.  Students learn and utilize methods for communicating design ideas through sketches and solid models.  Isometric and mulit-view sketching are practiced as well as measurement skills. Students participate in projects that help them to learn how models can be simulated to represent an authentic situation and generate data for further analysis and observations.

Eighth Grade:
PLTW is an inquiry based program.  In the 8th grade course, Automation and Robotics,  students learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems.  Students use the Vex Robotics platform to design, build and program solutions to unique problems.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
Two pocket folder, pencil, charged iPad

Theater Class

Grades 6-8:
Introduction to Theatre Arts, or Drama, students will explore themselves and the world around them, through performance and acting skills, scene studies and playwriting. Students will be challenged to take risks, move outside of their current comfort zones, and use their imaginations to devise new pieces of theater. Students will have the opportunity to choose a role, whether on the stage or behind the scenes, that is just right for them, and will work collaboratively with their peers to complete creative projects. 

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
iPad, folder, pencil/pen and a great attitude

Physical Education and Health Class

Grades 6-8:
The goal of our physical education program is to have maximum participation everyday.  This will ensure each student will have the opportunity to acquire a variety of skills that will enable each student to develop lifetime fitness activities and meet state standard expectations.  The Health Education program in grades 6-8 encourages the development of physical, mental, social, and emotional health, which will be carried over in the high school program. The emphasis in the 6th-8th grade Health Education program is to develop personal health goals and general understanding of the skills needed to live a healthy lifestyle. Every decision is a health decision in some way.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
I-Pad (Health), Tennis Shoes (PE)

Agriculture Class

Sixth Grade: 
Exploring Agriculture is designed to expose students to the different aspects of the agricultural industry and convey the importance of it. Upon completion of this course, students will know the significance of the agricultural industry, how it affects their daily lives and a general awareness of various career opportunities within it.

Required Materials for Sixth Grade:
1 three prong folder (orange if possible)

Seventh Grade:
Exploring Plant and Animal Science analyzes two major categories of the agricultural industry; plants and animals. This course is designed to give students a general understanding of the importance of the agricultural industry as a whole as well as a base understanding of these two areas within it. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to analyze different aspects of the agricultural industry and how it affects their daily lives.

Required Materials for Seventh Grade:
1 three prong folder (green if possible)

Eighth Grade:
Exploring Agricultural Mechanics analyzes one major category of the agricultural industry and how it relates to the entire industry. This course is designed to give students a general understanding of the importance of the agricultural industry as a whole as well as a base understanding of this area within it. Upon completion of this course, students will have a basic understanding of careers in agricultural mechanics, foundational skills in woodworking and turf grass management.

Required Materials for Eighth Grade:1 three prong folder (purple if possible)

Computer Class

Sixth Grade: 
Sixth grade computer students will focus a lot on keyboarding throughout the quarter to demonstrate their keyboarding ability. During the second half of the quarter, students will get into microsoft word processing, and internet and cyber safety.

Seventh Grade:
Seventh grade computer students focus on computer business applications. Students will work on creating professional presentations through keynote, powerpoint, and google slides. Students will also demonstrate their keyboarding ability throughout the course using a keyboarding program. Lastly, students will go over the importance of internet and cyber safety.

Eighth Grade:
Eighth grade computer students will have the course for a full semester. Throughout the semester students will learn how to conduct research, how to cite sources from internet publications, and go over internet and cyber safety. Students will also work on various projects using google slides and iMovie. Students will also demonstrate their keyboarding ability using a keyboarding program . Lastly, students will go over the importance of internet and cyber safety.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
All materials are provided.

Band Class

Sixth Grade: 
Sixth Grade Beginner Band at Oakridge is composed of students in their first year of playing an instrument. This band is divided into two introductory classes, Woodwinds and Brass/Percussion. The Beginning Band performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, as well as the 5th grade showcase.

Seventh Grade:
The Concert Band is composed of all eligible seventh grade band students.  The Concert Band performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, with a culminating performance at the Carowinds Festival of Music.  Members are also eligible to participate in the South Carolina Region and All-State Band auditions/clinics, along with other notable honor bands and Solo/Ensemble performances.

Eighth Grade:
The Symphonic Band is Oakridge's premier instrumental ensemble and is composed of eighth grade students who consistently display dedication and excellence throughout their time in middle school. Many Symphonic Band members participate in the CSD Honor Band and the South Carolina Region and All-State Bands. The Symphonic Band performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, as well as numerous school functions throughout the school year. Annually this ensemble proudly represents Oakridge Middle School at the South Carolina Band Director’s Concert Performance Assessment.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels: 
A detailed list of required materials for all 3 ensembles can be found in the OMS Band Handbook.

Chorus Class

Grades 6-8:
Chorus is a year-long class in which students practice rehearsal techniques, sight singing practice with solfege, and singing a variety of music repertoire. Students learn characteristics of the human voice as well as healthy vocal habits. Students will perform one concert per semester.  Entry into chorus during seventh and eighth grade may require an audition.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
Folder with pockets

Dance/Movement Class

Sixth Grade: 
This nine week course will be spent cultivating an appreciation for the art of dance, practicing creative movement together, and studying dances from different parts of the world. No prior dance knowledge is required. 

Seventh Grade:
This nine week course will be spent cultivating an appreciation for the art of dance, learning about choreographic principles including the elements of dance, and studying the basic technique and history of Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap dance. No prior dance knowledge is required.

Eighth Grade:
This semester-long course will be spent cultivating an appreciation for the art of dance, learning about choreographic principles including the elements of dance, studying the basic technique and history of Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap dance, and preparing for a formal performance that will take place near the end of the semester. No prior dance knowledge is required.

Required Materials for All Grade Levels:
Labeled Location for class in backpack (binder section/seperate folder/shared folder with another course, etc.), iPad, paper, pen/pencil. You will also need clothes that you can move and stretch in daily.  No special shoes or clothing is required.

Introduction to Career Clusters Class

Sixth Grade: 
Students will investigate career pathways in the 16 career clusters and research educational, certification and technical- skill requirements for careers. Students will research the professional skills needed for college and career success, by applying core academic skills to meet personal, academic and career goals, while exploring the importance of extracurricular activities, career preparation and the college experience.

Required Materials for Sixth Grade:
iPad, headphones, folder/notebook, pen/pencil

Seventh Grade:
Entrepreneurship; Students will learn what an entrepreneur is, how to start a business, marketing, and making it as an entrepreneur. Students will work in teams to develop their own innovative ideas and products; learn how to give an elevator pitch; interact with local entrepreneurs; and determine target market and pricing; and create a visual business plan.

Required Materials for Seventh Grade:
Class is project based; materials will vary for projects throughout the class. iPad, headphones, folder/notebook, pen/pencil

Eighth Grade:
Financial Literacy; Students will be introduced to personal finance concepts for young learners. Students explore their money values, learn the basics of banking, saving, budgeting, and start thinking ahead to high school and their financial futures.

Required Materials for Eighth Grade:
iPad, headphones, folder/notebook, pen/pencil