Student Activities and Electives

Welcome to the Middle School Art Elective, where creativity takes center stage!  Students explore drawing, painting, sculpture, and more, honing skills and expressing themselves freely. Thematic units cover historical context and self-expression, while critique sessions foster collaboration. Culminating in a final exhibition, students celebrate their achievements and share their creativity. All middle schoolers are invited to join this exciting journey of artistic exploration.

Whereas Physical Education focuses on skill development and fitness, this class focuses specifically on sports competition, games, strategy, and athletic development.  This class is for students that want to improve their athleticism and compete at a higher level.

AVID for sixth graders: AVID is a nationally recognized program designed to support students in developing the skills and habits necessary for success in high school, college, and life. This elective course provides students with the tools, strategies, and support systems needed to excel in life, especially as students move from elementary school to middle school.  All 6th grade students are automatically enrolled in this course that focuses on college and career readiness, time management skills, and social-emotional learning. This class will offer a safe and supportive environment that will encourage all-around growth and college and career readiness.  Students enrolling in a music elective during their 6th grade year will opt out of this course.

AVID for 7th and 8th graders: AVID is a nationally recognized program designed to support students in developing the skills and habits necessary for success in high school, college, and life. This elective course provides students with the tools, strategies, and support systems needed to excel in life.  We invite all 7th and 8th grade students to join us on this exciting journey of academic growth, personal development, and college readiness in the AVID Elective.  This class will offer a safe and supportive environment that will encourage all-around growth and college and career readiness. 

Beginning Band is designed for students who either do not have any previous experience in band and would like to learn a new skill! You have the option to learn to play the trumpet, clarinet, flute, trombone, or percussion. The band will perform in 3-4 concerts throughout the year.

Symphonic Band is designed for students who have at least one year of instrumental experience. Play in a large mixed grade band where your skills are developed further. Top musicians lead their sections and help with leadership roles. Perform in many concerts throughout the school year, including field trips exclusive to Symphonic Band. Other performances include playing at elementary schools and possible collaborations with the high schools.

Throughout the year, students will delve into marine environments with hands-on labs, aligning with NGSS standards and meeting Gilroy Unified School District and University of California requirements.This class emphasizes collaboration and project-based learning, where students work together to uncover the connections between marine life and their surroundings. Through practical activities, they'll grasp how scientific principles shape marine ecosystems, mirroring those on land. From marine diversity to ocean dynamics, our curriculum spans various topics, ensuring students gain a solid grasp of marine science. Join us for an immersive journey into the depths of the ocean's wonders!

Throughout this course, students will look at many different types of games and learn the rules, strategies behind them, as well as how to keep score.   Students will practice their math capabilities while scorekeeping.  Students will practice and develop new strategies as well as explain their strategies to other students.  Students will also get to explore math through art and how there is math in everything that is done.

Come join us as we learn about all that goes into the world of making music as we compose our very own works! Students with or without prior musical experience are welcome as we learn simple techniques for using keyboards and other instruments to make beautiful music for our community at Brownell! We will be learning about how to read staff notation and use it as our tool to explore such topics as melody writing, harmony, form, orchestration, and more. From learning the origins of music making from composers across thousands of years to exploring the thousands of genres available today, we will aim to compose our own piece in the classical style that reflects our understanding of the different styles of composition. We will also work as a class to compose our very own opus for our advanced band to play, and advanced choir to sing! Come join in on the fun!