Leander ISD

Speech/Debate

Speech/Debate 6th, 7th & 8th grade
Students will be introduced to effective communication skills to further their academic pursuits and to prepare for interaction in social, civic, and professional roles. Competent communicators develop skills focused on five identifiable functions of expressing and responding appropriately to feelings, participating in social traditions, informing, persuading, creating, and imagining. Students will identify and practice skills in using oral language, nonverbal communication, and listening in interpersonal, group, academic, and public contexts. Students will also be exposed to skills to approach controversial issues by practicing argumentation and debate.

• Year at a Glance

Speech/Debate and Debate I (8th)

Students will develop effective communication skills to further their academic pursuits and to prepare for interaction in social, civic, and professional roles. Competent communicators develop skills focused on five identifiable functions of expressing and responding appropriately to feelings, participating in social traditions, informing, persuading, creating, and imagining. Students will develop and apply skills in using oral language, nonverbal communication, and listening in interpersonal, group, academic, and public contexts. Students will also acquire skills to approach controversial issues by practicing argumentation and debate.
*Students successfully completing Debate I at middle school will receive one high school elective credit. The course grades will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

• Year at a Glance

Journalism

Journalism 7th & 8th
Student application may be required for placement in Journalism.
Students will learn several software programs to publish the school yearbook, newspaper, and weekly news video broadcast. This publications class is generally limited to twenty-five students. Students must be responsible, self-motivated, reliable, and prompt. Note: Some campuses will allow sixth grade students to participate in yearbook.

• Year at a Glance

Multimedia Communications

Multimedia Communications 7th & 8th grade
Young writers will craft original pieces by participating in the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and ultimately publishing their work in a variety of genres to different audiences. Writers will publish via multiple formats, both electronic and paper, such as podcasts, blogs/vlogs, anthologies, public speaking opportunities, etc. Writers will delve into genre and author study as they hone their personal style and grow their technique.

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Principles of Arts/AV and Communications 8th grade Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications allows students to explore and understand the various and multifaceted career opportunities in this cluster and the knowledge, skills, and educational requirements for those opportunities. Students will be introduced to topics such as audio/video production, graphic design and illustration, and animation.  *Students successfully completing Principles of Arts, A/V and Communications at middle school will receive one high school elective credit. The course grades will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

• Year at a Glance

Entrepreneurship (mixINCedu) 7th & 8th grade
Students will be empowered with the tools and mindset to explore what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Students will evaluate the world around them to identify a problem to solve, create a product concept or solution, sell/test the product or service in an e-commerce marketplace, evaluate the performance of their business idea, and iterate based on market learnings with the e-commerce selling experience.

• Year at a Glance

Principles of Human Services 8th grade
Principles of Human Services uses knowledge and skills in family studies and human development to enhance personal development, foster quality relationships, promote wellness of family members, and manage multiple adult roles. This course introduces students to careers in counseling and mental health, child development, family and community, personal care services, social work, education, hospitality and food service, interior design, and fashion. Each student is expected to complete the knowledge and skills essential for success in high- skill, or high demand careers.
*Students successfully completing Principles of Human Services at middle school will receive one high school elective credit. The course grades will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

• Year at a Glance

Leadership 6th grade
Leadership is an introductory course that will develop leadership skills in an interactive atmosphere. Students will learn personal responsibility for their own actions, attitudes, and behaviors through role play, creative activities, and daily discussions. They will learn that leadership is about being your personal best and supporting others.

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Leadership 7th & 8th grade
Students will develop leadership skills in an interactive atmosphere. They will learn personal responsibility for their own actions, attitudes, and behaviors through role play, creative activities, and daily discussions. Students will also develop communication and public speaking skills, and they will be directly involved in community service projects. They will learn that leadership is about being your personal best and supporting others.

• Year at a Glance 

Teen Leadership 8th grade
Leadership provides students with an opportunity to study, practice and develop group leadership and organizational skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: decision making skills, problem solving techniques, communication skills, leadership roles, human relations skills, and understanding the need for social intelligence and civic responsibility.
*Students successfully completing Teen Leadership at middle school will receive .5 high school elective credit. The course grades will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

• Year at a Glance

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Exploring STEM 6th grade
Students will explore how science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and design are used together to help to address different issues faced by society. Students will develop solutions to real world problems using 21st century technologies in a problem-based learning environment.

• Year at a Glance

Gateway 7th & 8th grade
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway to Technology (GTT) offers a strong foundation for further STEM learning in high school and beyond. The program features a project-based curriculum designed to challenge and engage middle school students with emphasis on applying the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation. Throughout this course, students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork and innovation, as well as explore STEM careers. 
*Students successfully completing both years of Gateway to Technology will receive a high school credit, but the course grade will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

Available Modules:

• Automation and Robotics

• Computer Science for Innovators and Makers

• Design and Modeling

• Green Architecture

• Magic of Electrons

• Flight and Space

• Energy and the Environment

• Medical Detectives

• Science of Technology

• Automation and Robotics

Technology Applications

Technology Applications 6th grade
Sixth grade Technology Applications is an exploratory course that introduces students to a variety of computer applications. Students will sample graphic design, desktop publishing, website development, photo editing, animation, video editing and coding. Students will learn digital citizenship, digital organization, vocabulary and keyboarding skills. Students will use Office 365, G Suite and other applications.

• Year at a Glance

Technology applications 7th & 8th grade
Seventh and eighth grade Technology Applications is a more in-depth study of computer applications emphasizing creativity and student success. In addition to building keyboarding skills, students will explore Adobe Creative Cloud and acquire tools for photo editing, animation and video editing. Students will also develop skills using Office 365 and G Suite. Desktop publishing, graphic design, coding and digital citizenship will be examined and refined. No prerequisite is required.

• Year at a Glance

Fundamentals of Computer Science provides students with opportunities to create web pages, games, and robots. Students will identify task requirements, use computer science concepts to access, analyze and evaluate information needed to solve problems. Students will gain an understanding of the principles of robotics through the study of physics, automation and engineering design concepts.
*Students successfully completing Fundamentals of Computer Science at middle school will receive one high school elective credit. The course grades will not be averaged into the student’s high school grade point average (GPA).

• Year at a Glance