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Electives are selected by the student and are offered twice a week. Elective classes do not give homework and use a modified grading scale.  Elective courses are designed to teach students new skills in an environment that is fun and rewarding.

Debate

Sixth grade students learn basic speaking skills. They learn that their body language and voice can have influence on the audience as well as the content of their speech. Current events are a must when preparing extemporaneous and impromptu speeches! A little of Roberts Rules of Order is taught before debating various topics of interest. Seventh grade debaters spend a lot of time on research skills and documenting their sources. The focus is on legitimate sources and unique ways to approach the internet using data basis rather than always using search engines. By the time the oratories get to eighth grade they can prepare any type of speech using all the necessary elements. They can debate most any topic set before them by using their excellent research skills. We hope to debate via satellite this year.

Journalism

Students enrolled in the journalism class learn interviewing, editing, and writing skills. They publish an eight-page student newspaper  each semester.  Many of the skills that the students have learned in the computer lab are applied in journalism class.

Yearbook

Students will be responsible for writing, editing and producing the school yearbook.  The class includes  photography, photo management, layout and design.  Yearbook Avenue is an online program that assists the students in creating this document.

Visual Arts

Students use many mediums such as  pen and ink, chalk, clay, tempera, and watercolors.  Students study art history and learn about the style and texture of famous works of art and the artists that created them.  Students' work is displayed in the community at places such as Starbucks, local malls, and art galleries.

Spanish

The fifth grade students spend half the year studying Spanish culture and the other half of the year studying the Spanish language.  Basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary are introduced through the textbook Spanish is Fun.  In addition to the textbook, the students study approximately 20 Hispanic countries and complete reports that include, maps, flags, and foods native to the countries they are studying.

Latin

Latin is taught in grades 6-8.   In sixth grade, Latin is an etymological course with attention to Latin roots of English words.  The study of mythology and Roman culture is introduced.  In seventh and eighth grade, the courses concentrate on Latin grammar, reading and translation, and the continuation of the study of Latin roots for English words.

Drama

Hear Yea, Hear Yea!........sixth grade students begin learning about impromptu, how using their body language and pantomime can tell a story. Reader's Theatre and other theatre games are used to teach basic skills. Students do beginner casting and set building. Seventh and eighth grade thespians begin creating their own plays, casting, and costuming. A Christmas skit is performed before the middle school. In the spring, a full  theatre production such as Shakespeare or Sherlock Holmes!

Technology

The St. Timothy's School technology curriculum is designed in such a way that students are made aware of the constantly-changing nature of the interaction between users and computer-driven devices. Students have a wealth of hands-on experience with classroom computers, digital cameras, and even robotics assembly kits, and are given instruction in many critical skillbuilding areas such as keyboarding, internet research, and logical problem-solving through programming. Each classroom is outfitted with at least three networked PC's as well as networked closed-circuit television systems for use with the technology department's digital video studio class. Office applications such as word processing, spreadsheet creation, and multimedia presentation construction are skills which are integrated into many aspects of the core curriculum, and students are taught to perform regular online research to supplement their studies.

Technology as an Elective

Technology classes as electives include programming and logic, robotics, and digital video studio. Choices begin at the sixth grade level and continue through the seventh grade level with an introduction to programming and logic, in which students learn how to construct basic video games and simple computer programs. Critical thinking and analysis exercises, problem-solving challenges, and teamwork-building activities form the foundation of many important skills students use in programming. In the eighth grade, students build upon these skills in an advanced robotics class which is designed around the use of Lego Mindstorms NXT Robotics Development kits. Also at the eighth grade level, the digital video studio class allows students to explore the creative process behind video production, editing, and writing.

Beginning and Intermediate Band

Band is a two-semester commitment. Students select a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument and have class instruction twice a week.  The student's are expected  to practice at home 30 minutes a day in addition to the biweekly class instruction.    Students perform for school functions and for the community.
The elements of music-melody, rhythm, texture, harmony, and form are always in the forefront of carefully planned lessons.  Popular instruments include:  trumpet, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and drums. Students have the option to rent or buy their instruments.