Elective Classes

Art 6th-8th

This quarter long course will challenge students’ and their way of thinking by experimenting with new artistic skills. This course will help students develop creative thinking to get to higher problem-solving skills while learning art techniques. Students will work with a variety of art materials to gain exposure to different forms of art to find what they connect with.

Building for the Future (BFF)-8th Grade
Building for the Future is a 9-week PLTW course that introduces students to careers and skills in construction, including architecture, civil engineering, carpentry, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Students gain hands-on experience by creating and analyzing blueprints, designing solutions, and constructing prototypes. Along the way, students develop practical skills, explore high-demand careers, and learn how professionals design and build functional, sustainable spaces.

Design and Modeling-7th Graders

This one-quarter, hands-on career tech class for 7th graders introduces students to essential design and engineering skills. Students will learn how to sketch, measure, and dimension accurately, and they will also gain experience using 3D modeling software. By applying the design process, students will work on solving real-world problems, developing practical skills that can be applied to future STEM opportunities.

Drama 6th Grade

GDrama is a one-quarter elective offered as part of the 6th Grade Elective Wheel. Students build confidence in presenting and performing through activities such as poster presentations, Reader’s Theater, and student-designed skits. Students work collaboratively, develop their creativity, and practice presenting in front of others in a fun, supportive environment.

Film Elective-7th Grade
Film is a quarter-long elective that introduces students to the many elements of filmmaking, including production, cinematography, set design, scriptwriting, costumes, and acting. Students analyze films through weekly viewing, discussion, and plot analysis while exploring how different elements work together to tell a story. At the end of the course, students complete a project based on an area of filmmaking that interests them most.

Finance-6th Grade

Financial Literacy gives students an introduction to the money skills they will use throughout their lives. Students explore careers, saving, budgeting, needs versus wants, credit and debt, housing costs, and the cost of education after high school. Through hands-on, real-world projects, students research careers, find and budget for an apartment, compare college and trade-school costs, explore ways to attend college while limiting debt, and learn the basics of investing and net worth. Students also practice making financial choices through interactive activities and games that encourage problem-solving and thoughtful decision-making. Most importantly, students learn that the financial decisions they make—even small ones—can have a big impact over time. The goal is not just to teach students how money works, but to help them learn how to make money work for them.

Health & Physical Education — Grades 6–8

Health and Physical Education helps students develop the skills and habits needed for lifelong wellness. Students build a sense of belonging while developing sport and movement skills and learning practical strategies for maintaining their physical, mental, and social health.

Leadership 8th Grade

Leadership is Selkirk Middle School’s student government program, designed to develop confident and positive student leaders. In this year-long elective, students learn valuable skills such as teamwork, goal setting, decision making, and time management while representing their peers in Student Council meetings. Leadership students also take on the responsibility of organizing key school activities, including assemblies, spirit days, fundraisers, community service events, socials, Parent Night, and Back to School Night—making a significant impact on the school community.How Leadership Works: As part of the Leadership program, students commit to participating throughout the entire school year. Student Council meetings are held during class time, but leadership responsibilities extend beyond the classroom. While the course is fun and rewarding, it also demands dedication, responsibility, and involvement in school activities outside of the regular school day.How to Enroll: Leadership students are selected through an application process. Applicants must demonstrate responsibility, positive leadership, and a commitment to serving as role models at school. Leadership students are also expected to maintain at least a 3.25 GPA and complete 4 service learning (volunteer) hours per quarter. Elections will take place later in the year, but students must first complete and submit their application packets by the deadline.Successful Leadership students are:

Responsible, organized, and proactive
Willing to participate in school events beyond school hours
Academically successful with a minimum 3.25 GPA
Individuals of high moral character

Medical Detectives-8^th Grade

Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, and investigate disease outbreaks.

Minecraft Education-6th Grade

Minecraft Education is a 9-week elective that introduces students to computer science, coding, and creative problem-solving through Minecraft. Students use Minecraft Education and block-based coding to complete challenges, design solutions, and build interactive creations while developing skills in computational thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Photography-7th Grade

Photography is a 9-week elective that introduces students to the fundamentals of photography with a focus on skills used in yearbook and school-event photography. Students learn composition techniques such as leading lines and center of interest while practicing how to capture emotion, faces, action, and meaningful close-up shots. Students also gain hands-on experience taking, uploading, selecting, and editing photos to create strong images that help tell a story.

Robotics-7th Grade

In this 8th-grade robotics course, students will explore the exciting world of engineering and automation by building a variety of mechanisms and programming them to perform specific tasks. Through hands-on projects, they will learn coding, programming, and automation skills, using sensors to create systems that react to environmental inputs, such as detecting colors. Collaboration is key, as students work in teams to design and build innovative products for "clients." There are plans to expand the robotics program to 7th grade in the near future, offering even more opportunities for students to develop these valuable skills.

Watershed Math-6th Grade

This class uses the theme of watersheds to help students practice and demonstrate real-world applications of the Essential Learnings.

World Cultures- 8th Grade

In this quarter-long project-based class, students will explore a country of their choice by conducting in-depth research on various aspects of its culture, geography, and way of life. Throughout the course, students will gather information on topics such as population, geography, major tourist attractions, political and religious systems, language, cuisine, pop culture, and daily life.

Using their research, students will create engaging materials like maps, language guides (e.g., “5 must-know phrases in Thailand” or “3 slang terms to sound like a local in Brazil”), and an end-of-course brochure showcasing their chosen destination. At the end of the quarter, students will present their brochures to the class, sharing insights into the unique qualities of their destination. This class encourages creativity, cultural awareness, and presentation skills while allowing students to immerse themselves in global learning.

Yearbook-8th Grade

Yearbook is a hands-on, behind-the-scenes class focused on documenting and communicating the events of the school year. Primarily an 8th-grade course, students create the school's yearbook, ensuring every student is featured at least twice, while learning teamwork, goal setting, decision-making, and time management. In addition, students manage Selkirk’s social media, collaborate with the Leadership class on activities, and organize assemblies and videos.

How Yearbook Works: This year-long elective is divided into four sub-groups: Social Media, Photography, Yearbook Design, and Marketing/Sales. These groups collaborate to meet deadlines and produce a high-quality yearbook. Though fun, the class requires responsibility, dedication, and time outside of school.

How to Apply: Yearbook students, primarily 8th graders, must be creative, responsible, and willing to work beyond school hours to meet deadlines. Selection is based on a completed application. A successful yearbook student attends events, works independently, and contributes to the overall success of the team. Attendance at quarterly work parties and photographing events outside of school (minimum of two per quarter) are required.

See the Yearbook Page for more information.