Cycle Courses

Students will learn basic pop-up mechanisms and paper art techniques to design and create 3 dimensional representations for their original narratives/creative writing. Students will utilize card stock, measuring and cutting tools, fasteners, basic art supplies, computers, digital printing and binding equipment. Writing, mathematical, spatial, artistic, and technological skills as well as planning and design principles will be used to create original products. **Grade(s) 6, 7 & 8**

In this course, students will have the opportunity to explore team building. Trust, cooperation and team work are just a few components that will make this course exciting fun. **Grade(s) 6, 7 & 8**

Art for Peace of Mind will focus on the creative process of art making. Through experimentation of materials, students will have the opportunity to communicate and express ideas in visual ways. Components of mindfulness will be infused to help nurture a peaceful and positive creative mindset. Grade(s) 6, 7 and 8**

Ceramics and Sculpture is a hybrid course. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be infused into creating three-dimensional forms. Students will develop a strong understanding of the creative process by utilizing clay and other sculptural materials. Form and function components are applied to both ceramics and mixed media sculptures. Grade(s) 6, 7 and 8**

This course is designed to give students a hands-on basic introduction of the concepts and principles of nutritious food preparation. Throughout the course, procedures will be developed and learned to help create a safe, efficient environment as well as develop the knowledge and independence of working in a kitchen and developing skills for life. Topics will include kitchen basics, nutrition and eating healthy meals at breakfast, lunch and snacks. **Grade(s) 6 & 7**

This course is a second level culinary arts experience for students interested in continuing to develop their culinary arts skills in the home kitchen. Preparing full course dinner menus will be the main focus of this cycle. Throughout the course, procedures will be expanded which include helping to create a safe, efficient environment as well as expanding their knowledge and independence of working in a kitchen. **Grade(s) 6 & 7** Prerequisite: Chefs in Training I

Students will use graphic novels and comics to study social commentary, story elements and point of view, and apply their understanding to create original comic books. Students will study the development of the superhero story arc, examine literary elements to strengthen overall reading comprehension and apply those skills to other textual and visual media. **Grade(s) 6, 7 & 8**

Students will use factual evidence from texts/videos to construct a claim, analyze an argument for counterarguments and prepare rebuttals to the arguments of others.  This course will help students develop and refine speaking and listening skills and provide the opportunity to learn the basics of debate format, procedure and protocol. **Grade(s) 6, 7 & 8**

In this course, students create visual and dynamic solutions to art and design challenges using text-based programming. Through interactive prompts, students express their creativity while gaining a deeper understanding of foundational computer science concepts such as loops, functions, and variables. **Grades 7, 8** Prerequisite: Introduction to Programming OR Robotics I

In this STEM elective, students will study how the engineering design process is used to develop solutions for challenges in our food systems, such as achieving sustainability and engineering new food products. Students will use their understanding of genetics from 7th Grade Science to explore the impact of biotechnology on the food supply and engage in ethical discussions about human needs and wants. A culminating independent research project gives students a deeper connection and perspective about a topic of interest and provides an opportunity to share their knowledge and findings with others. NOTE: This is NOT a Culinary Arts elective; no cooking will occur. **Grade(s) 7, 8**

Students who want to learn more about the science behind solving a crime will explore the areas of gathering evidence, identifying patterns and evaluating evidence through fictional case studies using real forensic science techniques. Students build collaborative skills working as a team to solve these fictional crimes using relevant evidence and sequencing key events, then communicate their conclusions with valid support and logical reasoning. **Grade(s) 6, 7, 8**

This course would foster a love for lifelong health and wellness that promotes teamwork, cooperation, perseverance, and resiliency. While learning proper body mechanics, students will also learn how to think critically and problem solve. **Grade(s) 6, 7, 8**

3D Design is a powerful tool that exposes all students to problem-solving, critical thinking, and the development of a growth mindset. Throughout this course, students will engage in projects ranging from basic object creation to complex architectural modeling. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the aesthetic concepts of spatial proportion (scale, angle, and position) and appropriate 3D design layout. By the conclusion of this course, students will emerge with the ability to create well-designed prototypes that assist in solving real-world problems, gain experience with computer modeling and basic architectural concepts, as well as gain valuable experience with 3D Printers and Laser Cutter technologies. **Grades 7, 8

Students will explore computer science and design thinking using a student-friendly tool Scratch. Students will apply their computer programming knowledge and skill to solve computational problems by creating interactive programs and games. **Grade(s) 7 (preselected for you) and 8 (if not taken previously)** -- Note -- this is a required course that fulfills the NJSLS-CS&DT requirement.

Students will be introduced to technology by exploring design through creative engineering challenges. Students will learn the engineering design cycle and problem solving as they create hands-on projects in drafting, stop motion, virtual reality, laser cutting and 3D modeling. Collaboration, communication and problem solving will be emphasized throughout this course.  **Grade(s) 6 and 7**

Explore theatre arts as a vehicle for self-discovery and a means of understanding the world around us. Students will not only gain access to New Jersey Student Learning standards for theatre, but also reinforcement of New Jersey Student Learning standards in English Language Arts and Social Studies. The course will empower students and support them as they develop various competencies, including critical thinking, literacy, and social-emotional, as well as inherit and refine intellectual and expressive abilities that will allow them to become active, contributing, and informed members of a global society. **Grade(s) 6, 7, 8**

This course serves to introduce students to music literacy and performance through Ukulele. Each student will be provided a Ukulele for the duration of the course. During this course students learn basic maintenance, pedagogical fundamentals for playing, how to read music, and explore and perform popular repertoire.  **Grade(s) 6, 7, and 8**

This course focuses on civil, mechanical and structural engineering design concepts. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will develop and enhance their engineering knowledge and apply problem solving, creative and technological skills to create real-world solutions. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of the engineering design process, bridge design, projectile motion and transportation technology. **Grade(s) 7, 8 (preselected for you)**

The Mindfulness course will develop the whole child by addressing a student's physical, social, emotional and mental well-being. Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to present moment thoughts, feelings and body sensations without passing judgement. Mindfulness will increase a student's focus, concentration, emotional awareness and their ability to manage stress through the development of personal intentions directly aligned with their individual skills and needs. This course will help students to define personal short and long-term goals. **Grade(s) 6, 7 & 8**

This class will be an immersive, "hands-on" experience as students will learn music literacy through performance. Students will be introduced to and learn to play brass, strings, percussion, strings, percussion, vocal, guitar, and piano instruments. **Grade(s) 6, 7, and 8** 

In this course students will learn the four disciplines of visual arts: aesthetics, art criticism, art production and art history through the mediums of painting and drawing. Sequential growth in the study of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design will progress in rigor as students move from 6th grade through 8th grade. **Grade(s) 6, 7 and 8**

This course will focus on creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Students will be introduced to the history, technology, and skills required for photography, printmaking, and graphic design mediums. **Grade(s) 6, 7 and 8**

RMS Bake Shoppe is designed for any eighth grade student interested in the food and hospitality industry. Students will receive hands on experience in preparing a variety of baked goods, demonstrating knowledge of ingredients with the roles they play, preparation techniques and baking equipment. Areas of study include: quick breads, yeast breads, pies, cookies, cakes and cake decorating. Food presentation will be emphasized throughout. This course will also help to prepare students who are interested in being a part of the Randolph High School Culinary Arts program. **Grade(s) 8**

RMS Chef is designed to give eighth grade students a variety of hands-on experiences in the Foods Lab. Future chefs will expand upon their understanding of the principles and skills of food preparation. Students will learn about general etiquette and the art of “Tablescaping.” Dinner preparations from start to finish will include meal planning, creating a menu and budgeting. Both International and regional cuisines will be explored to shed light on culinary influences. The course ends with the skills students need to engage in a culinary competition. This course will also help to prepare students who are interested in being a part of the Randolph High School Culinary Arts program. **Grade(s) 8**

Incoming 6th grade students are enrolled in this cycle course to learn self-management strategies and digital literacy skills that will facilitate the transition from elementary school to middle school. Students will develop academic habits that translate to career-readiness, including academic communication, goal-setting, time management, and effective use of key software products. Students also will engage in critical thinking and problem-solving activities to make informed decisions in digital spaces. **Grade 6 (preselected for you)**

Students will engage in creating robotic systems that they construct, code and test themselves. Students will watch their design, programming and building skills come alive as the robots execute commands and perform tasks that they envisioned it to complete. **Grade(s) 6, 7, 8**

Students will be immersed in problem-based learning activities that will allow them to apply skills and problem-solving strategies obtained in Robotics I. Through teamwork, students will engage in researching, designing, coding, developing and operating robots, resulting in opportunities for realistic high tech interdisciplinary applications of content to solve real-world problems. **Grade(s) 6, 7, 8** Prerequisite: Robotics I

Through inquiry-based learning, students will research and conduct experiments to expand their scientific knowledge of aerodynamics, electricity, and technological innovations. By the end of this course, students will be able to design experiments to test a natural phenomenon and apply conclusions to real-world problems by building more efficient scientific models. **Grade 8 

This STEM cycle course is for students who care about our planet and want to explore the interconnected elements of sustainable development and the effects of human activities on Earth’s systems. Students will learn to calculate their ecological footprint, investigate the greenhouse effect, explore renewable energy sources, and examine their own impact on the Earth. In a culminating project, students will collect evidence from informational text to develop potential solutions for a local or global sustainability issue and share their knowledge and findings with others. **Grade 6, 7, 8**

Students will explore innovative and integrated science, technology, engineering and math challenges. Students will build a suite of simple machines including electrifying Rube Goldberg devices, catapults and rubber band powered cars. Students will learn to express their creativity through engaging problem-solving activities and imaginative design challenges.  **Grade(s) 7, 8**

Students will learn how the use of everyday math skills is related to the world of sports. Students will also be given an opportunity to see how science affects particular sports equipment, players and the overall play of different games. **Grade(s) 6, 7 and 8**

Students in this course will study how a variety of cultures quantify, utilize, and value music. Students will have the opportunity to practice and perform on the instruments indigenous to the cultures being studied. Cultures to be studied include but are not limited to, Caribbean, West Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Near East / North Africa, and Asia. **Grade(s) 6, 7, and 8**