In this course, students experience drawing, painting, ceramics (clay), printmaking, and more! They will create 2D and 3D pieces to take home at the end of the semester in a portfolio that encapsulates their body of original work.Students will get out of their seats and use hands-on tools to express their important ideas.This class teaches students to speak their minds through specific visual art skills and kinesthetic projects that promote health and wellbeing.

Free your mind and soul! Learn important job skills! Come dive into the art world to share your voice in an original and authentic way. 

Coding 1: Open to all 7th and 8th graders, no coding experience required

This course will explore beginner to intermediate-level coding using the Python coding language. Focus is placed on learning-by doing and an inquiry-based approach. Code applications include: mad-libs, one and two player word games, creating, drawing and animating shapes. By the end of this course, students will be able to design and play beginner-level animated video games. This class will have little to no homework.

Coding 2: Must have completed Coding 1

This course will explore more advanced-level coding using the Python coding language. Focus is placed on learning-by doing and an inquiry-based approach. Code applications include: creating and editing lists, for loops, sprites and functions. By the end of this course, students will be able to design and play advanced-level animated video games. This class will have little to no homework. CODING 1 IS A PREREQUISITE.

Coding 3: Must have completed Coding 2

This project-based course is designed to apply the knowledge and logic gained from Coding 1 and Coding 2. Students will build and program robots to compete against each other in a variety of challenges. This class will have little to no homework. CODING 2 IS A PREREQUISITE.

In this course, students develop skills to create and edit videos, develop, manipulate, and take photos, animate, and use cutting edge tools for graphic design, character design and digital art. Students learn to use DSLR and mirrorless cameras on photo walks, practice with camcorders and digital tools for imaginative storytelling and communicating voice. They have access to the complete Adobe Creative Cloud and other relevant programs for their videos, photos, digital art, and creative pursuits. Students learn and practice effective workflow strategies to manage their creative projects from start to finish.

Click on the image to the right to watch a video from the Chief Kanim Digital Media, Class of 2023, highlighting all the cool projects you will be covering in this class. 

Lifelong Fitness (For 7th and 8th grade students who have already taken or been scheduled in a core PE class).

This class will focus on physical activities that can generally be pursued throughout one’s lifetime. Students will learn rules and fundamental techniques for a variety of fitness activities. Students will learn basic techniques and safety guidelines that should be followed when exercising. The course will include body weight strength training, yoga, pilates, cardio endurance activities and other lifetime fitness activities.

Advanced Fitness Training

This strength and fitness class will learn rules and fundamental techniques for a variety of fitness activities.The course will include body weight exercises, weight training technique, cardio endurance, yoga, and muscular strength and endurance activities.

Competitive Team Sports

Multiple team sports is a competitive sports class that will focus on a variety of lifelong team-based sports (i.e. soccer, volleyball, etc…) This class will focus primarily on building a competitive mindset, implementing game strategies, and improving on required core skills to play the game.

To be considered for Spanish 1, current 7th grade students MUST complete and turn in this form to the office by Wednesday, March 22.

This high school level full-year course provides an introduction to fundamental Spanish language concepts and patterns. Specialized vocabulary and culture are presented in units covering many topics, like the family, school life and travel. The course emphasizes reading comprehension for cultural understanding, writing skills, oral conversation and the basics of Spanish grammar.

Beginning Band (anyone who is new to playing an instrument)

Students looking to begin their musical journey in band start in the CKMS Beginning Band. We welcome any student in grade 6, 7, or 8 who is curious and enthusiastic about learning a band instrument to join the Beginning Band. Instruments students can learn include flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, and percussion (by audition).In Beginning Band students learn the fundamentals of reading music and playing an instrument. Beginning band students also benefit, instructionally, from being split into two different classes by instrument type; brass and woodwind. These students can look forward to performing in two concerts at the Mount Si High School Performing Arts Center this upcoming school year.

Intermediate Band (majority 7th graders)

Intermediate Band at Chief Kanim is open to any band student who has completed at least one year of instrumental instruction in band. Students in Intermediate Band have the option of starting new instruments such as bassoon, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and tuba. In Intermediate Band, we continue to build upon the fundamentals learned in Beginning Band, start adding higher level skills, and begin to work on more challenging music for concerts. Students in Intermediate band will perform in two concerts in the Mount Si High School Performing Arts Center this upcoming school year and take a fun trip together in the spring!

Advanced Band (majority 8th graders)

Advanced Band is the premiere concert band at CKMS, and is open to any student who has completed two years of instrumental instruction. Alternatively, a student who shows very advanced skills after just one year of instruction may receive a special invitation from Mr. Talbott joined the Advanced Band. Students in Advanced Band shift their focus from developing fundamental skills to working on high-level music for performance at many concerts and festivals throughout the year. The Advanced Band will perform in two concerts at the MSHS PAC, travel to one regional band festival, take a tour of the local elementary schools to recruit incoming band students, and can look forward to a fun trip at the end of the year!

7th & 8th Grade Choir

7th and 8th grade choir is a performance-based class that continues to build on the fundamentals of singing and musicianship. Students will focus on developing healthy vocal techniques as their voices change, reading music, and singing in 3 and 4 part harmony. Students will perform a wide variety of music at concerts throughout the year. Although most students in this group have taken choir in 6 th grade, anyone is welcome to sign up for this course and we will get you caught up! CKMS choir students get to go caroling in December, and in addition, all 8 th grade choir students have the opportunity to attend an overnight field trip during a weekend in April.

Jazz Choir

Jazz Choir is an advanced course for 7th and 8th grade students. Auditions are held in the spring.This group performs at the regular CKMS choir concerts as well as several additional events throughout the year. Students will focus on singing with an appropriate jazz style, developing healthy vocal technique as their voices change, reading advanced music, singing in 4-6 part harmony, and improvisation (scatting). Jazz Choir will go on a field trip in the winter, and in addition, all 8th grade choir students have the opportunity to attend an overnight field trip during a weekend in April.