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Upper Division Electives
6th, 7th and 8th grade students at St. Francis Solano School have a wide variety of electives from which to choose.
We, at St. Francis Solano School, believe that our well-rounded
electives program enriches and expands learning, while giving students
the opportunity to explore their diverse.Some electives require a teacher recommendation or invitation to the class. Read the class descriptions to check for these or other prerequisites. New electives are chosen each semester. Some electives are offered only once a year.
Looking for Computer or Spanish classes? These classes are part of the regular curriculum for which all students are automatically enrolled.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Mr. Monga
The Catholic Church has historically supported the causes of social justice. Students research and discuss some of these issues, using magazines, newspapers and the Internet as source materials. Each class also chooses a worthy local cause to support, to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. Open to all.
ITALIAN
Ms. S. Smith
Are your parents planning a vacation to Italy? Maybe you’d just like to be able to talk to your Italian grandparents in their own language. This course emphasizes conversational and written Italian, focusing on pronunciation and practical communication skills. Benvenuto a tutti! (In other words, all are welcome!)
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Mrs. V. Smith
Members of the St. Francis Solano Student Council attend this once-weekly class, where they learn about the responsibilities of running a student government. Class meetings are also used to plan school events such as the Talent Show and Spirit Week.
ART
Mrs. Picard
Students work in a variety of media to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the visual arts. Open to all.
BEGINNING GUITAR
Ms. Swing
Did you know that, with only three to five chords, you can play hundreds of songs – from rock to pop to folk – and beyond? You will learn these chords and other basics in this class. You just need to provide the guitar! Open to all.
BEGINNING & ADVANCED BELLS
Ms. Swing
Students in the introductory course learn to play chimes (bells) as an ensemble, emphasizing rhythm, meter and harmony. Students in the advanced course refine their musicianship with more complex pieces and more performance opportunities.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Mrs. Conrad
Students research, analyze and discuss important social, political and moral issues and work within cooperative groups to develop creative projects utilizing their own unique points of view. Open to all.
Mrs. Conrad
Students research, analyze and discuss important social, political and moral issues and work within cooperative groups to develop creative projects utilizing their own unique points of view. Open to all.
PERCUSSION
Ms. Swing
Students in the introductory course learn to play chimes (bells) as an ensemble, emphasizing rhythm, meter and harmony. Students in the advanced course refine their musicianship
MATH THERAPY 7 AND 8
Ms. S. Smith
These classes meet once a week to reinforce basic math skills and newly-learned math concepts. You may be invited to enroll or you may request this class yourself.
MEASUREMENT
Mr. Morton
Does anything involving a ruler or beaker intimidate you? Then this class is for you! Learn how to measure without fear. Open to all.
TEACHER ASSISTANT
Supervising Teacher TBA
Students perform duties as directed, under the supervision of their assigned teacher. You must have a teacher’s recommendation to apply for a TA-ship.
ADVANCED MATH
Mr. Morton
Individual classes for 7th and 8th grade students will meet one day a week to expand on concepts learned in core classes and apply them to word problems, logic problems and puzzles. Enrollment is by recommendation, only.
SPEECH AND DRAMA
TBA
Students read, memorize and act in plays, write and perform in skits in this active learning environment. Students study different genres of speeches and learn to write their own. Open to all.
CAREERS
Mr. Monga
Are you really sure you want to be an astronaut – or maybe you want to be a vet? Weekly guest speakers will share the inside stories about their own careers and how they began. Open to all.
YEARBOOK
Mrs. Sawicki
Students will create and publish the annual school yearbook. Motivation and creativity are a must! Open to 8th grade students, only.
“DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT GEOGRAPHY”
Mr. Morton
. . . is the title of an audio text students will use in this physical geography course. Topics include mapping, topography, biomes and Earth’s physical attributes. Open to 7th and 8th grade students.
ACADEMIC DECATHLON
Mr. Morton
The decathlon is a team competition where students match their intellects with students from other schools in the Santa Rosa Diocese. Winning teams compete at the state level. This class prepares a team of invited students for competition.
DANCE
Mr. Ligotti
Focus is on the basics of social dance: proper posture, steps, rhythm and dance routine. Students will both lead and follow to many types of dance music, from waltz to foxtrot to salsa.
DEBATE
Mr. Ligotti
Learning how to argue in a civilized format is a powerful tool! Learn to form a solid argument and speak confidently and convincingly in front of anyone. Open to all.
RESEARCH & STUDY SKILLS
Mrs. Sawicki
Students learn both library and internet to help them write research papers. Tips for successful, productive studying are also taught. Open to all.
FITNESS
Mr. Monga
Students study the science of fitness, learning about nutrition, diet and exercise and will apply what they’ve learned “in the field” with aerobic exercise and light weight training. Open to all.
