8th Grade Course Requests

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All student schedules will be managed through the PowerSchool Student and Parent Portals. Below are the quick steps to submit requests for your child's electives:

1. Login to PowerSchool beginning February 10, 2025.

2. In the left-hand column of quick links, click “Class Registration”.

3. If your child previously participated in the Instrumental Music program, you will see a request already entered to continue. Please contact the Band or Orchestra Directors if you are interested in joining the program.

4. If your child took Spanish 1 as a 7th grader, you will see a request already entered to continue in the program. If your child did not take Spanish 1, they may elect to do so in 8th grade by selecting it in the second section. If your child previously took Spanish for Spanish Speakers, you will see a request already entered to continue.

5. In the Primary Electives section, select your child’s preferred elective courses. This can be a mixture of 1.0 (year-long), 0.5 (semester-long), and 0.25 (quarter-long) credit classes. We try our best to grant student requests but they cannot be guaranteed.

6. In the Alternates section, select one or two elective courses your child would be interested in if we are unable to meet their primary requests. Do not select any courses that you chose in the previous section.

7. To complete, click on “Submit” at the bottom of the screen.

8. Course requests must be completed by February 19, 2025, or your child’s courses will be selected for him or her.

Visit our video tutorial on how to complete course requests.

Questions? Email GeminiCourseHelp@emsd63.org.

All students will be automatically enrolled in:

We try our best to grant student requests but they cannot be guaranteed.

Select electives that add up to 2.0 credits.

Also, select 1 or 2 DIFFERENT electives if we cannot schedule your preferred elective.

Credit: 0.5

American Sign Language is its own distinct language used by many deaf people. Learn and use basic sign language in small and large group settings along with learning about deaf culture. This course promotes language, culture and acceptance. Please note: Due to its popularity, this class is reserved for those who did not take American Sign Language in 7th grade.

Credit: 0.5

Explore the artistic process and art concepts with an emphasis placed on secondary preparation. The scale and intensity of these activities is increased with a focus on craftsmanship and creativity.

Credit: 1.0

Refine and enhance musical literacy, performance, and composition skills and abilities of a specialized band instrument of choice. This course offers whole-band, small-like-instrument groups, and individualized instruction and practice. Instrument choices: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, or Percussion. Learn more by visiting our webpage.

Credit: 1.0

Explore your singing voice in this creative and collaborative class. You will develop the basics of singing, learn how to read sheet music, and perform many styles of music in large and small group settings. You will also build skills to be an independent musician and learn about keeping your voice healthy. 8th Graders participate in 3 mandatory after-school concerts per year as well as during-school field trips. No singing experience is required. Learn more by visiting our webpage.

Credit: 0.5

Explore a variety of genres of writing to enhance literacy skills and abilities using a writer’s workshop model to develop ideas and original pieces.

Credit: 0.5

Explore a variety of dance styles while building the beginning-intermediate skills of dance including improving technique, flexibility, poise, self-confidence, and creativity ability. Students will also have the opportunity to choreograph their dance pieces and improve their teamwork skills. This is a performance-based class, physical activity is required in this class. Students will perform in the annual Gemini Dance Concert.

Credit: 0.5

Want to be a star? Learn acting skills and increase your confidence on stage in Drama. We will do improv, scripted scenes, and theatre games as ways to improve your acting abilities. This is a performance-based class and you will perform for and with your classmates!

Credit: 0.5

Explore a variety of subject areas that include: building healthy relationships, personal finance, ways to be a smart consumer, textiles/sewing, nutrition, and cooking. This class includes opportunities for students to have real world application of skills, as well as hands-on-learning activities. Please note: Due to its popularity, this class is reserved for those who did not take Family & Consumer Science in 7th grade.

Credit: 0.5

Spend a semester studying a variety of musical topics, including exploring musical genres and musicians, composing music using digital tools, and learning how to play the piano and ukulele.

Credit: 1.0

Refine and enhance musical literacy, performance, and composition skills and abilities of a specialized string instrument of choice. This course offers a full-string orchestra, small like-instrument groups, and individualized instruction and practice. Instruments choices: Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass. Learn more by visiting our webpage.

Credit: 0.5

Learn about the basic concepts and practice of digital photography, while experimenting with aesthetic principles as they relate to composition, space, exposure, light, and color. Students will need to provide their own camera, which may be a cell phone used in the expected manner during this class only.

Credit: 1.0

Acquire the language of Spanish not by simply learning it through memorization, but rather develop reading and listening skills through storytelling, independent reading, and class novels. Also, develop writing and speaking through writing and discussions, weekend talks, calendar talks, quick writes, and interviews. In addition, explore culture through reading music, and videos in Spanish.

Credit: 1.0

Continue to acquire the language of Spanish not simply learning it through memorization, but rather develop reading and listening skills through storytelling, independent reading, and class novels. Also, develop writing and speaking through writing and discussions, weekend talks, calendar talks, quick writes, and interviews. In addition, explore culture through reading, music, and videos in Spanish. Please Note: Students must have taken Academic Spanish 1 in 7th grade.

Credit: 1.0

Explore their language through projects that dive deeper into acquiring reading, writing, and speaking skills in Spanish. Please Note: This literacy-focused course is for students who already speak, read, and write in Spanish. Initially, the district qualifies students for this course and parents have to consent. If the course was taken in 7th grade, the student most likely qualifies for this course.

Credit: 0.5

Technical Theatre is an introductory course, which explores the backstage world of theatre. Students will investigate several areas of production and implement the elements of a theatrical environment, including scenic design, costuming, prop making, live casting, and dramaturgy. Demonstrations and discussion will be an essential part of the class day, making appropriate student participation very important.

Credit: 0.5

Learn and practice a variety of ways to show self-care, including yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, healthy living, and other strategies to reduce stress and increase physical and mental wellness.

Email: gemini411@emsd63.org
Website: gemini.emsd63.org
Location: 8955 North Greenwood Avenue, Niles, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-1181
Twitter: @D63Gemini

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