Swift Creek Middle

Bridge classes are Swift Creek’s most advanced classes and recommended for students who scored a level 4 or 5 in state testing, or a level 3 in state testing with a strong work ethic.  These courses focus on both current and future grade level standards and skills preparing students for the opportunity to enroll in high school courses in middle school and AP or dual enrollment courses in high school.  Guest speakers, field trips, and other hands-on activities are included as part of the instruction in Bridge classes.  Bridge courses are paired and can be taken in English and Social Studies, Math and Science, or all four content areas together.  Both Math (Algebra1 Honors) and Science (Earth/Space Science Honors) are high school level courses and will reflect on a student’s high school transcript.

Advanced classes are Swift Creek’s middle level classes and recommended for students who scored a level 3 in state testing or a level 2 in state testing with a strong work ethic.  These courses focus on both current and some future grade level standards and skills preparing students for the opportunity to enroll in high school courses in their 8^th grade year of middle school and AP or dual enrollment courses in high school.  Advanced courses are paired and can be taken in English and Social Studies, Math and Science, or all four content areas together.

General classes are Swift Creek’s grade-level classes and recommended for students who scored a level 1 or 2 in state testing.  These courses focus on current and grade level standards   General courses are paired and can be taken in English and Social Studies, Math and Science, or all four content areas together.

Students explore media and techniques used to create a variety of 3-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural elements of art. Investigation of artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provide a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials. 

Students with little or no instrumental experience develop foundational instrumental technique, foundational music literacy, and aesthetic musical awareness through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists work on the fundamentals of music notation, sound production, instrument care and maintenance, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source. 

Students with previous band experience build on instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists expand their knowledge of music notation, music theory, sound production, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source.

Students with previous band experience expand on their instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of intermediate-level, high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists extend their knowledge of music notation and theory, sound production, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source.  See Ms. Shimer for details!

Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and time. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students will be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

Students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. Singers focus on increasing knowledge of music theory, music literacy, and aesthetic response. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students will be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

This course is designed for middle school male vocalists, all grades and ability levels. Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and time. Returning students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. Singers focus on increasing knowledge of music theory, music literacy, and aesthetic response. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students will be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

Students will develop essential cooking skills and learn important kitchen safety techniques in a hands-on, interactive environment. They will explore the history and cultural significance of foods from around the world, gaining a deeper appreciation for global cuisines. Throughout the course, students will discover a variety of culinary careers and the skills needed to pursue them. Collaborative projects in the kitchen will encourage teamwork, creativity, and confidence as they apply what they’ve learned in real cooking experiences.

Dance is a performance‑based course that introduces students to dance as a form of artistic expression, communication, and physical activity. Students develop movement technique, rhythm, coordination, and spatial awareness while exploring a variety of dance styles such as creative movement, hip hop, jazz, ballet fundamentals, cultural dance, and choreography. Through structured movement experiences and collaborative activities, students learn the elements of dance while building strength, flexibility, and endurance in a safe and supportive environment. The course emphasizes creativity, teamwork, self‑discipline, and respect for self and others as students create and perform dances. Students are introduced to dance vocabulary, performance etiquette, and basic choreographic principles.  Two performances are required.

Students with little or no experience develop basic guitar skills and knowledge, including simple and full-strum chords, strumming patterns, playing/singing simple melodies and scales, foundational music theory, parts of the guitar, and ensemble skills. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students will be required to attend and/or participate in performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

Students must have a cumulative grade average of B or higher and be accepted into at least Bridge level pre-algebra, Algebra I or Geometry to register for this elective course.  This is an intensive course in math competitions designed for students to expand their math awareness while representing our school in local, state, and regional competitions.  A variety of materials such as Math Counts, AMC 8, Math League, quiz-doms and Mu Alpha Theta competition materials will be part of the curriculum.  Students must maintain a “B” average in the their core math class.  Students in this course will need to dedicate many evenings, weekends, and extra hours in preparation for these academic activities.  The signature of your 6th grade Math Club Sponsor is required and students may be selected during the spring or summer.  Transportation and registration fees may be required.

Musical Theatre is a performance-based course designed to develop students’ skills in acting, singing, and movement within the context of musical theatre. Through age-appropriate instruction and hands-on experiences, students explore the fundamentals of performance technique, character development, vocal expression, choreography, and ensemble collaboration. This course ends with a musical at the end of the year. Audition required.

The Swift Creek Middle School Orchestra offers instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term success.  Fundamentals stressed include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy.  The SCMS orchestra is made up of students in grades 6-8.  The SCMS orchestra will perform with the Lincoln High School Orchestras in the winter and Spring Orchestra Concerts.  No audition is required for placement in the SCMS orchestra.

This course develops athletes’ speed, strength, and agility through structured, sport-specific workouts and progressive training. Students participate in dynamic conditioning sessions focused on acceleration, power development, and injury prevention. Emphasis is placed on position-specific techniques to ensure skills translate directly to game play. Weekly flag football scrimmages provide regular, game opportunities for students to apply learned techniques, practice teamwork, and build competitive instincts in a contact free environment. Instruction balances skill breakdown, live drills, performance feedback, and measurable fitness goals to promote continuous improvement, sportsmanship, and on-field confidence.

Our Student Leadership class is an elective that focuses on helping our students become better leaders, both here at Swift Creek and in the community.  The course is filled with lessons on leadership, as well as working on committees to help with school and community events.  These students help plan dances, spirit weeks and pep rallies, fundraisers, and events with our feeder elementary and high schools.  It gives our students opportunities to be examples as leaders and to learn from others.  A student application and teacher reccomendation are required for this course.

Spanish 1 introduces students to the target language and its culture. The student will develop communicative skills in all 3 modes of communication and cross-cultural understanding. Emphasis is placed on proficient communication in the language. An introduction to reading and writing is also included as well as culture, connections, comparisons, and communities. Current Language Arts teacher signature is required.  Prerequisite: All A’s or A/B’s in Language Arts and a 3.0 minimum score on most recent FSA Reading.

This STEM course integrates the skills used in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to solve real-world problems. Students will develop their teamwork, collaboration, logical reasoning, and communication skills in a project-based learning environment. Students will work in groups of 2 to 4 depending on the project. Cooperation is extremely important.

Student aides assist in a variety of ways. Limited numbers of positions as Teacher, Office, or Guidance aides are available. An approved application is required and qualifications for different aide positions vary. The application is available in the front office and must be completed fully, including all required signature(s), and submitted with the completed course request form.

Navigating Technology is a year-long course for grades 6-8 that equips students with the foundational skills needed to thrive in a digital age. Students will study computer hardware and software fundamentals, practice safe online behavior, evaluate and cite digital information, and design clear digital communications. 

Theatre is an introductory performance‑based course that develops students’ creativity, confidence, and collaboration through the art of theatre. Students explore the fundamentals of acting, voice, movement, improvisation, and script analysis while learning theatre vocabulary and etiquette. Through individual and ensemble work, students engage in creative expression, critical thinking, and problem‑solving as they rehearse and perform age‑appropriate scenes and monologues. The course emphasizes collaboration, respect, and self‑discipline while introducing the basic elements of technical theatre, including costumes, props, scenery, and stage management. Two performances are required.