Electives

Art

Art is a creative elective where students explore a variety of artistic techniques, styles, and mediums while building confidence and creativity.

Students will develop drawing and shading skills through projects focused on:

• Portraits and facial features
• Animals and nature
• Anime and cartoon illustration
• Composition and design

Materials may include pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, pastels, and clay when available. Students will also learn about influential artists and Art History through class projects and discussions.

Advanced Art

Advanced Art is a year-long course for students interested in further developing their artistic skills.

Students expand on foundational techniques through:

• Advanced drawing and illustration
• Figure and object studies
• Ceramics and sculpture
• Hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques

Students continue exploring Art History while creating both functional and sculptural artwork.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must:

• Earn an A or B in Art 1, and
• Receive teacher approval from Ms. Miller.

Course Description

Band is a year-long elective that gives students the opportunity to develop musical performance skills, learn to read music, and build a strong foundation in music theory.

Students are placed in either Beginning Band or Advanced Band based on their experience level. Through individual practice and group performance, students learn the value of teamwork, discipline, creativity, and collaboration.

Instruments offered may include:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Alto and Tenor Saxophone
• Trumpet
• French Horn
• Trombone
• Baritone (Euphonium)
• Tuba
• Electric and Upright Bass
• Percussion

Students may also have opportunities to participate in performances and travel experiences, including district concerts, community events, Sacramento Kings games, and select venues in Southern California.

Course Objectives

Students will:

• Develop proficiency in playing a musical instrument
• Learn to read and interpret musical notation
• Build an understanding of music theory and musicianship
• Strengthen listening, collaboration, and performance skills
• Demonstrate responsibility through practice and preparation
• Gain confidence through individual and group performances
• Experience music as a form of creativity, expression, and teamwork
• Represent TBMS positively through performances and school events

What is Leadership?

Leadership is a fun-filled class with many opportunities to grow as a student leader. Leadership students will oversee all student activities ranging from assemblies, dances to school-wide community events and service (when it is allowed). While distance learning Leadership students will participate in a book study, and potentially serve as mentors to incoming 6th-grade students.

What does Leadership do?

• Teach and foster democracy
• Provide training and experience in citizenship and leadership
• Develop positive attitude towards laws, order, and authority
• Promote good human relations in the school community
• Provide a forum for student opinion and provide a direct channel to administration
• Provide organized services to students and staff
• Promote student/faculty/community relationships
• Develop school spirit, pride and morale
• Conduct social and recreational activities
• Sponsor socially relevant projects for the school and community

Music Appreciation is a course where students will gain experience in musicianship by learning about music history, theory/notation, and some aspects of performance (no public performances are given). At the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation on which to build their further experience with any musical instrument they choose.

Course Description

Yearbook is a creative, hands-on elective where students learn the skills involved in producing the school yearbook from start to finish.

Students will develop photography, journalism, design, and communication skills while helping document the school year through photos, stories, and page layouts. Throughout the course, students will learn how to use the yearbook design platform and collaborate to create engaging and visually appealing spreads that capture the experiences and memories of the TBMS community.

Students may be asked to attend and photograph select school events outside of regular class hours as part of the course experience.

Course Objectives

Students will:

• Develop an understanding of the vocabulary and processes associated with yearbook production and publishing
• Strengthen written, visual, and verbal communication skills
• Learn and apply basic journalism and interviewing techniques
• Design visually engaging layouts, captions, and themed content
• Develop photography skills that help capture and tell meaningful stories
• Understand the ethical responsibilities involved in journalism and publication
• Gain insight into the planning, organization, and business aspects of yearbook production
• Demonstrate responsibility, collaboration, and professionalism as members of the yearbook staff
• Meet project deadlines and contribute positively to the school community

This course introduces students to the world of 3D modeling and animation using Blender, a professional-grade software used in animation, film, and digital design industries.

Students learn:

• Basic 3D modeling techniques
• Texture, lighting, and scene design
• Animation fundamentals
• Camera movement and visual storytelling

Throughout the course, students create original digital projects and collaborate to produce a short animated video featuring characters, scenery, and sound.

Students also complete an introductory 3D printing unit, where they design and print their own creations using modern design technology.

This class emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and real-world digital design skills while introducing students to careers in animation, media, and technology.

CTE Wheel is a hands-on exploratory course that introduces students to a variety of Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways available in high school.

Students rotate through six engaging units, each designed to help them discover new interests, develop practical skills, and explore potential future careers and hobbies. The course emphasizes creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and real-world learning experiences.

Units may include:

• Photography
  Learn basic photography techniques such as composition, lighting, aperture, and depth of field using DSLR cameras.
• Biomedical Science
  Explore how the human body works through activities involving heart monitors, virtual dissections, and body system investigations.
• Robotics
  Program and control robotic devices while learning coding and engineering fundamentals.
• Agriculture
  Explore plant science, propagation, floral projects, and agricultural technology, including experiences connected to the high school farm.
• Industrial Manufacturing
  Design and create projects using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology and modern manufacturing tools.
• Woodshop
  Learn basic woodworking skills and safely use hand and power tools to build take-home projects.

CTE Wheel is designed for all students and encourages everyone to explore new opportunities in a supportive and engaging environment.

Digital Art is a STEAM-based elective that combines creativity, technology, and design. Students learn how graphic artists and photographers use digital tools to create and enhance visual media.

Using programs such as Photoshop, students explore:

• Photo editing and enhancement
• Graphic design concepts
• Digital illustration and image manipulation
• Advertising and creative design projects
• Color, lighting, and composition techniques

Students also complete an introductory unit in 3D printing, where they learn basic design concepts and create their own printed projects.

This course encourages creativity, problem-solving, and real-world technology skills through hands-on digital art experiences.

Digital Music is a creative course where students explore the fundamentals of music production and sound design in a digital environment.

Students will learn:

• Basic music theory and composition
• Songwriting and arrangement
• Digital sequencing and beat creation
• Audio recording and editing
• Sound manipulation and music production techniques

Using digital music tools and software, students create original projects while developing creativity, collaboration, and technical skills. Basic piano experience can be helpful, but no prior music experience is required.

Medical Detectives is a semester-long STEAM elective and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course where students take on the role of real-life medical investigators to solve medical mysteries and disease outbreaks.

Through hands-on, project-based learning, students explore:

• Human body systems and disease
• Medical data collection and analysis
• Experimental design and problem-solving
• Diagnosis and treatment methods
• Neurological and infectious diseases

Students participate in interactive activities such as:

• Dissections and model creation
• Antibiotic analysis and lab investigations
• Digital simulations and stop-motion video projects
• Analyzing “patient” medical cases to determine causes of illness

This course combines science, technology, and critical thinking while giving students a deeper understanding of healthcare, biomedical science, and real-world medical careers.

MS Computers is an introductory Computer Science course that gives students the opportunity to explore technology through creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.

Students are introduced to foundational computer science concepts, including:

• Problem-solving and logical thinking
• The design process
• HTML and basic web development
• Introductory JavaScript programming

This course is designed for all students, regardless of prior experience, and encourages students to explore how computer science connects to creativity, communication, and real-world innovation.

Through engaging projects and collaborative activities, students build confidence with technology while developing skills that support future learning in computer science and related fields.

This hands-on elective combines robotics, engineering, and space science in an engaging and interactive learning environment.

Students use LEGO EV3 robots to design, build, and program robots that can move, respond to their environment, and complete challenges and competitions. Activities may include robotics games, problem-solving challenges, and robot battles.

Students also explore concepts in Astrobiology, including:

• What defines life
• Where life may exist beyond Earth
• How scientists use robotics to explore places like Mars and Europa

This course encourages creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation while introducing students to real-world applications in science, technology, and engineering.