8th Grade Electives
Art: Over the semester, students will be working with a variety of 2D and 3D art mediums including pencil, ink, colored pencil, clay, and painting. Our focus will be on building artistic vocabulary, the principles of design, and exposure to a wide variety of artists, both contemporary and historic, to create a well rounded introduction to art. We will explore using different techniques in each medium, and using them to improve your artistic skills. Students can repeat this class during 2nd semester, as we will not repeat the same projects.
Yearlong Artist’s Workshop: Is art your thing? Would you like to take an art elective all year? Dividing our focus quarterly, students will begin with observational drawing skills and dry media. The second quarter will focus on watercolor and acrylic painting, along with linoleum block printmaking techniques. Along with 2D arts, students will experience a wide range of sculptural options during the 3rd quarter which may include ceramics, paper mache, and felting. Finally, in the 4th quarter, students will have a choice based quarter, choosing their own content for a variety of mediums, including embroidery. At the end of the year, this class will visit the SF MOMA on a day-long field trip.
AVID: AVID or Advancement via Individual Determination, is a new academic elective offered to 8th graders. It is a class for students with a desire and determination to challenge themselves to reach their full potential. It teaches students the necessary strategies to be successful in both middle school and high school, with the ultimate focus of students being college-ready. The course helps students develop tools to engage in cooperative learning, goal setting, questioning and study skills, writing, note taking, time management, as well as, character development. The course also teaches students test taking strategies, how to manage stress, and how to work towards their goals. AVID students are expected to take ownership of their learning, ask questions to deepen their understanding, and be willing to work hard. AVID students are required to maintain their assignment notebooks, participate in student lead tutorials, and monitor their academic progress throughout the year. Students who have determination and motivation to work hard toward their goals in order to succeed are good candidates for AVID.
Leadership: Leadership class is a class designed to promote a positive culture at AJHS.
Students will organize, lead and participate in spirit days, assemblies, and lunch activities. Students will also create and participate in Public Service Announcements and community service projects to encourage a safe and inclusive school. To be admitted for the first quarter, students are required to complete an additional google form and get a teacher’s recommendation.
Choir: feels like a club and is for 7th & 8th grade students of any skill level. In addition to learning to sing songs, students spend time making strong friendships, playing games and creating great concerts together! All singers are involved in performing many styles of music several times a year. Beginning singers develop fundamental skills in music reading, rhythm, and vocal technique through practice and game playing. There are many opportunities for solo singing. No experience is necessary - confidence grows by getting involved!
Here is a short video with choir highlights from past seasons: AJHS Choir
Contact our choir director, Ms. Levine at jessalynn_levine@pvusd.net if you have any questions.
Band (two choices): Come join the band! If you have been thinking about learning an instrument, this is the time to begin. Our district has instruments available to be loaned to students, so there is no cost for the program. Come see the exciting musical possibilities!
Beginning Band: This course is offered to incoming 7th graders or 8th grade students with no previous band experience.
Advanced Band: This course is offered to continuing AJHS students that completed band during the 2022-23 school year and or students coming to us with band/music experience.
Culinary Arts and Science
Culinary Arts combines cooking with learning what we should be eating. We will learn the basics of preparing delicious dishes. In addition, we will learn nutrition - how foods help you, what are the best foods to eat and how to combine them into healthy meals. Cooking is fun and creative, and something you will be doing the rest of your life. Come learn to make great food!
Exploring Programming
In Exploring Programming you will have the opportunity to design and build robots, create Roblox games, create advanced Scratch games, develop projects for extra curricular clubs such as ROV team or Invention Convention and much more. Students can repeat the second semester.
Office Aide/Library Aide/Teacher Aide
Students must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. They need to be responsible, keep information confidential, and follow all campus rules and regulations. Students will be organizing, filing, running notes, data entry, and other necessities of the office/library/teacher. They must be able to take direction from adults and be motivated to work.
