Alice B. Landrum Middle School 2026-2027 Elective Course Offerings

LMS encourages students to pursue interests beyond the core curriculum. All students have 4 core classes, PE, and 2 electives. Sixth graders are required to take Digital Discoveries to teach basic computer skills necessary in middle school.

6th Grade Elective Descriptions

• Art 1: Students explore media and techniques used to create a variety of 2-D artwork through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural elements of art. Studio donation of $25 requested.
• Band 1: Students with no experience develop foundational instrumental technique, musical literacy, and awareness. Students work on the fundamentals of music notation, sound production, instrument care, and rehearsal strategies. Financial commitment required.
• Digital Discoveries 1: This REQUIRED course provides students with the computer and digital skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. In addition to fundamental computer information, the content includes digital technologies associated with presentation, graphic editing software, word processing, and internet communications.
• Drama 1: Students learn the basics of the theatre arts, pantomime, improvisation, and group scenes. Students also learn the importance of technical theatre and explore costumes, props, and scenery. In-class performance will showcase learned skills.
• Guitar 1: This course enables students with no experience to develop basic guitar skills, including simple and full-strum chords, strumming patterns, playing simple melodies, foundational music theory, parts of the guitar, and ensemble skills.
• Journalism 1: Students will develop skills in the production of journalism across print, multimedia, web, and broadcast/radio platforms and become aware of journalism history, careers, ethics, and management techniques related to the production of journalistic media. In addition, students will learn the world of news magazine, video production, and desktop publishing.

7th Grade Elective Descriptions

• Art 2: Students investigate a wide range of media and techniques, from a historical and contemporary perspective, as they engage in the art-making processes of creating two-dimensional works. Studio donation of $25 requested.
• Band 1: See description above. Students are placed based on experience, not grade level.
• Band 2: Students with previous band experience build on instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality band literature. Students may be required to participate outside of school hours. Financial commitment required.
• Beginning Spanish: Introduces students to the language and culture. Students will learn beginning skills in listening and speaking and an introduction to basic skills in reading and writing. Also, culture, connections, and communities are included.
• Digital Discoveries 2: Students will increase the depth of their knowledge of concepts and skills with various software applications, by creating more comprehensive documents and using more complex functions. Students will demonstrate proficiency in database applications, spreadsheets, and video and sound editing, as well as an introduction to the basics of webpage layout.
• Drama 2: Students will increase fundamental knowledge and skills in the elements of theatre arts, with an emphasis on performance.
• Guitar 1: See description above. Students are placed based on experience, not grade level.
• Guitar 2: Teacher recommendation required. Students with previous guitar experience build on their skills, adding chords, new strumming patterns, movable major and minor scales, music theory, more complex bass lines and lead sheets, and ensemble skills. Students may be encouraged to participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to extend and assess learning.
• Instrumental Ensemble 1 (Jazz Band): Teacher recommendation required. Students develop performance skills as they perform ensemble literature in diverse styles. Students may be required to participate outside of school hours. Financial commitment required.
• Journalism 2: Students study journalism across multimedia and broadcast platforms and become aware of journalism history, careers, ethics, and techniques related to the production of journalistic media. Students will produce a documentary for National History Day competition. This process includes research, story creation, and media production.
• Musical Theatre 1: Students will survey the current and historical trends in musical theatre as well as explore the unique skill set in both performance and design needed for musical theatre. Students may be encouraged to participate in public performances.
• STEM 1: This is a hands-on, interdisciplinary problem-based learning experience. Students are guided to produce original ideas, objects, and structures through the following units: The Engineer Design Process, Structural Engineering, CAD, Applied Physics, Electricity and Electronics, and Power & Energy.

8th Grade Elective Descriptions

• Art 3: Students use advanced techniques to create a variety of 2-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students manipulate the structural elements of art to promote creative risk-taking in 2-D artwork. Students will evaluate and explain artistic growth. Studio donation of $25 requested.
• 3-D Art: Students will study green or industrial design, sculpture, ceramics, or building arts. This includes the use of clay, wood, plaster, and paper mâché. Artists will evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal works. Studio donation of $25 requested.
• Band 1/Band 2: See descriptions on previous page. Students are placed on experience, not grade level.
• Band 3: Students with previous band experience build on instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality band literature. Financial commitment required for instruments or instrument rentals. After school practice and competition participation are required.
• Digital Discoveries 3: This course empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. The course includes the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including hardware and software designs, applications, computer science impact on society, web design, and computer programming.
• Drama 3: Students will explore theatre history, study the great American playwrights, and examine cultural and historical contributions to theatre. Students will use their knowledge to participate in One Act performances for the public. Students may be required to attend or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
• Guitar 1/Guitar 2: See descriptions on previous page. Students are placed based on experience, not grade level.
• Instrumental Ensemble (Jazz Band) 1 or 2: Teacher recommendation required. Students continue to build performance skills as they rehearse and perform in diverse styles. Student musicians learn to self-assess and collaborate as they study musical styles. Students may be required to participate outside of school hours. Financial commitment required.
• Intermediate Spanish: This is a continuation of M/J Beginning Spanish. Students will expand their knowledge of the language and its culture. Students will be able to engage in basic listening and speaking activities. Basic skills in reading and writing, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities are included in this one-year course. Beginning Spanish and Intermediate Spanish with a “C” or higher in both and a passing grade on the Midterm and Final from both classes can be awarded HS Spanish 1 credit reflected on the high school transcript.
• Journalism 3: This course enables students to develop skills in the production of journalism across multimedia and broadcast/radio platforms and to become aware of journalism history, careers, ethics, and management techniques related to the production of journalistic media. Students will develop and produce ROAR TV which can be viewed by the public on our webpage. Students also produce documentary films for C-SPAN, Studentcam.org, and Jim Harbin Student Media Film Festival.
• Musical Theatre 2: Students will deepen previous knowledge in basic acting, vocal performance, and dance/movement. Students will also be given leadership and mentoring roles to Musical Theatre 1 students. Students will survey the current and historical trends in musical theatre. Students will explore the unique skill set in both performance and design. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instruction goals.
• STEM 2: This course is an advanced version of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) with more complicated and challenging projects for students to build, with a strong emphasis on research. The first semester will focus on exploring engineering and technology fields such as Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Bioengineering and Health Technology, and Recycling Technologies. The second semester will focus on Robotics.
• Student Aide: Students will hold a leadership role in the school. There are many options to choose from including ESE classes, math classes, band, STEM, Journalism, and art classes, as well as assist in the Media Center. These are limited positions, so you will rank the order in which area you would like to be placed. Placement will depend on availability of the position at that time. You must fill out a separate application and obtain teacher recommendations, as well as meet the basic requirements for the class. Please see details and requirements outlined on the application, available in guidance.

Physical Education (required for all)

Course builds on previously acquired knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the maintenance of a physically active lifestyle. Content provides exposure to a variety of movements, opportunities, and experiences. PE uniforms are required and available for purchase through our PTO. Students are also required to rent locks for $5.

Intensive Reading

Students on all grade levels identified with a substantial reading deficiency must receive this intervention in accordance with state statute. These courses are designed to correspond to specific student need and adjust according to ongoing progress monitoring to close the reading gap. Placement is dependent on FAST scores, along with other reading diagnostics.