Discovery Classes

Students choose 2 Discovery classes per semester, and will attend those classes every day

How to decide on what Discovery to take? 

  • What are your interests?

  • What new skills do you want to obtain?

  • PE: required at least one semester

  • Talk to your parents

  • Talk to your teachers

  • Talk to your school counselor

Discovery classes are subject to change. While we will do our best to accommodate your choices, your final selections are up to the scheduling team. 

Exploring Nutrition and Wellness

In this course, students will gain an understanding of the impact of choices on wellness by examining the current USDA Food Guidelines and nutritious meal planning and preparation.  Students learn basic kitchen skills, safety, and sanitation.

Exploring Characteristics and Careers

Students experience an orientation to self-awareness and the world-of-work. Emphasis is placed on self-awareness and how interests, attitudes, values, learning styles, skills, and personality influence career choices. Based on the National Career Development Guidelines, skills reinforced include, but are not limited to communications, personal management, and teamwork. 

Visual Art

6th Grade: Students create art and problem solve using different materials and techniques as they draw, paint, design, and express themselves.

7th Grade: Students build upon their understanding of the Elements and Principles of Art, with a focus on drawing, using lines to show patterns, textures, and value. Students will learn how to draw using one point perspective, learn how to draw a self portrait, and contour drawing. Students need to be able to focus and observe to help them draw from their imaginations and from reality. In addition to drawing, students will read and write about art as they study artists, art history, and the principles of art. We will be addressing creativity as a necessary skill to secure and be successful in the 21st century workforce.

8th Grade: Students focus on using color, design, contour and shading  effectively, as in self-portraits.  Advanced slab work, printmaking, graphic arts, and basic photography skills are also taught. Students need to be able to focus and observe in order to draw from their imaginations and reality. Class includes assignments to read and write about artists, art history and the principles of art. It also addresses creativity skills in the 21st century workforce. Previous art classes are not required, but students need the discipline to catch up.

Band

6th Grade: Students will learn to play a beginning band instrument. Students must be prepared to rent or purchase their own instrument. Students will also be responsible for purchasing a band book and related supplies for their instrument. Sixth grade is the only opportunity to begin taking band.  STUDENTS MAY NOT DROP BAND MID-YEAR.  Please contact our band director gregory.love@bcsemail.org if you have any questions.

7th Grade: Students will continue refining the musical and instrumental skills that they learned as members of the 6th grade band. The level of music that you perform will transition from Grade I to Grade II and there will be a greater focus on playing as a member of an ensemble. Students will participate in three concerts a year (December, March and May/June). Students will have the option to participate in All-County Band, All-District Band, Honors Band, and Solo and Ensemble. Students may also participate in State MPA at Brevard College. Band is a year long class. STUDENTS MAY NOT DROP BAND MID-YEAR. 

8th Grade: To sign up for 8th grade band, students must have been in 7th grade band or have the permission of Mr. Love. Students will continue refining the musical and instrumental skills they learned during 7th grade band. The performance level will transition from Grade II to Grade III focusing on playing individually at the highest level. 8th grade band students will participate in three concerts a year, play with the high school on Middle School Band Night and have the option to participate in band competitions. There will also be several traveling performances.  8th grade band is a year long class. STUDENTS MAY NOT DROP BAND MID-YEAR. 

Chorus

6th Grade General Music: This semester long course is designed for all students, regardless of musical ability, who desire to develop their interest in music, vocal skills, and creativity. Students will experience singing a wide variety of musical styles, including choral works, musical theater, and world music, leading to public performances.

7th Grade Beginner/Intermediate: This semester-long course is designed for all students, regardless of musical ability, who desire to develop their interest in music, vocal skills, and creativity. Students will experience singing a wide variety of musical styles, including choral works, musical theater, and world music, leading to public performances. 

7th Grade Advanced: This class is offered in the Spring semester for students who meet the prerequisite requirement of completing an audition. Students may not join this Advanced course unless they have already taken at least one semester of Chorus. The class offers students an opportunity to further hone their musical skills, build relationships with their peers, and sing a variety of choral repertoire from various cultural traditions. This class will have at least one Chorus concert in the Spring semester, and this ensemble will travel to participate in MPA and be assessed on performance and literacy skills. Other extracurricular singing opportunities may be made available at the teacher’s discretion. 

8th Grade Vocal Music: This semester long course is designed for all students, regardless of musical ability, who desire to develop their interest in music, vocal skills, and creativity. Students will experience singing a wide variety of musical styles, including choral works, musical theater, and world music, leading to public performances.

Strings/Orchestra

Students will participate in a semester long course focusing on orchestral stringed instruments. The semester will culminate with students performing in a concert. Students must be prepared to rent or purchase their own instrument. Financial aid may be available.

Spanish Language Exploration

6th Grade Spanish Language Exploration: This course introduces students to the Spanish language and culture. Along with traditional teaching methods, there will be games, projects, dance, videos and a variety of activities in class.

6th Grade Conexiones (year-long): ¡Bienvenidos! Conexiones is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary Spanish curriculum designed to support post-immersion and heritage language learners. It enables students to use their language skills to communicate effectively, learn about different cultures, make connections across disciplines and issues, compare their own reality to others, and engage in meaningful exchanges with local as well as global communities.

7th Grade Spanish Language Exploration: Increase the use of the Spanish language engaging in interpersonal communication involving everyday topics. Students use language in practice settings that imitate real life settings. Develop a greater understanding and insight into the nature of language and culture, including their native or first language.  Students will focus on learning about culture, building and understanding of the practices, perspectives and products of a society. 

7th Grade Conexiones (year-long): ¡Bienvenidos de Nuevo!  Students will continue their comprehensive, interdisciplinary Spanish curriculum designed to support post-immersion and heritage language learners. It enables students to use their language skills to communicate effectively, learn about different cultures, make connections across disciplines and issues, compare their own reality to others, and engage in meaningful exchanges with local as well as global communities.

8th Grade Language Exploration: This course is an introduction to Spanish.  The emphasis is on understanding and speaking the language. Music, culture,  geography, foods and crafts are studied with a hands-on approach.

8th Grade Spanish 1 (high school credit, year-long): This academic course introduces the Spanish Language and Spanish speaking cultures. Students learn to understand and speak basic Spanish in order to communicate effectively in realistic situations. Students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish.  This class is not recommended for native Spanish Speakers. Successful completion of this class earns high school credit for the student. Students must meet the high school attendance requirements to earn a high school credit in Spanish and may not drop this course after first 20 days.

PE/Healthful Living

A combination of health education and physical education in which students learn a variety of skills that enhance a person’s quality of life.  Students must have at least one semester, but can request to have PE year long; year long PE is available as long as the class has not reached capacity. PE is gender separated.

7th/8th Grade Only: Teacher/Office/Media Center Assistant

An application is required and can be requested by emailing your school counselor.  After the semester starts, several students will be selected by application. It will replace one of the electives you choose from the school year. Duties include but are not limited to performing clerical duties as needed, assist in daily operations of the media center, assist with tasks as assigned, run errands, or prepare classroom materials.