All Porter Gifted Magnet students are given equal access to all electives Porter Middle School has in the yearly master schedule.  Students are programmed into their electives after filling out an Elective Selection Form in the spring indicating their preferences in a ranked order.  Some electives have prerequisites and minimum grade point average requirements.  The electives that Porter Gifted Magnet offers to seventh and eighth grade students areas follows:

Spanish I - Class activities are used to develop the skills necessary to understand and speak Spanish, and to further strengthen fluency in reading and writing Spanish.  Spanish I goals include understanding and producing simple questions, answers, descriptions, and statements in Spanish on such topics as:  family and friends, school, and daily activities.

Spanish II  - goals are  proficiency in the use of language structures in personalized communication contexts, and writing creative dialogue and short compositions using many verb tenses and moods.   Spanish instruction will include the use of basic grammar forms and vocabulary appropriate to the topics studied.  Students prepare skits, menus, diaries, family trees, games and other special projects to enhance their understanding of the Spanish language.

Porter Yearbook – Students participate in the production of the school yearbook.  They learn about selecting cover designs, color schemes, development of a theme, creating artwork, layout of pages, utilizing photographs to expand on the year’s theme, and putting together the final product. Students use digital cameras and computer programs to produce a school year’s memories.  Teacher recommendation is required and this class is open to seventh and eighth grade students.

Introductory Winds  -  Students are acquainted with the various wind instruments along with their importance and position in an orchestra or band.  Students will be taught how to read music and to play their selected instrument.  They will be instructed in tonality, form, and structure of music.  Students participate in performances as their skills advance.  This class is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

Introductory Strings – Students are acquainted with all the string instruments along with their importance and position in an orchestra.  Students will be taught how to read music and to play their chosen instrument of violin, viola, cello, or bass.  They will be instructed in tonality, form, and structure of music.  Students participate in performances as their skills advance. This class is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

Concert Band – Students are able to continue their instruction of introductory winds in this elective.  They will learn more advanced techniques of playing their instrument and will continue instruction through the study and performance of music through the centuries and of many cultures.  Students participate in several concerts during the school year, and culminate the school year by participating in a district-wide assessment.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students and may be repeated for credit.

Orchestra – This elective is designed for intermediate to advanced strings students.  Students learn about different composers and eras in music through the study and performance of orchestral literature.  They participate in several performances and culminate the year by participating in a district-wide assessment.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students and may be repeated for credit.   

Web Design -  This course is a continuation of Desktop Publishing.  Students will learn the process of designing and programming a web site.  Various student and school projects will develop “real-life” skills.  In addition, students will acquire proficiency with various digital devices and their applications.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students. 

Peer Mediation -  The Peer Mediation Program is designed to help keep the peace at school and will teach students various skills to aid them in conflict management and resolution.  Students will be trained by a counselor to become more sensitive to the needs of their peers, create a supportive and caring
design.  Topics covered will include the use of fonts, clip art, and scanned and digital images.  Projects include real-life applications of learned skills using desktop publishing software.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students.

 Student Service -  This elective class allows students to become office and classroom assistants.  Office service students have the opportunity to learn fundamental office procedures while assisting in the offices.  Student classroom assistants will have the opportunities to learn the fundamental classroom procedures while assisting a teacher.  Students may not have any Fails or more than 2 U’s on semester report cards for the seventh grade.  This class is available for eighth grade students. 

Journalism -  Students will develop their writing skills as they publish a school newspaper.  They will take pictures of events  and activities, write informational articles, and use editing skills to publish the school newspaper.  Students will improve their knowledge of technology through the use of publishing and photo-editing software.  This elective is open to seventh and eighth grade students.

Community Service -  Students will participate in school and community events that give them the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents.  They will explore various charity organizations, assist with recycling efforts, and lead the Porter community in fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Leadership - Students participate in student government by conducting grade-level elections, the development of grade-level activities to promote class spirit, and supervise and conduct activities “On the Lawn.”  Students are selected for this class through an application and interview process that is open to all seventh and eighth grade students throughout the school.  One class of students are selected each school year.  This class can be repeated for credit.

General Art – Students are introduced to a wide range of creative art techniques.  They will acquire skills in drawing, painting, and various media while exploring fine art, commercial art, perspective, figure drawing, color, balance, art history, and the principles of design.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students.

Advanced Art – This course is a continuation of General Art.  The art elements and principles of good design and art history are explored in depth.  Students will acquire advanced skills in the use of drawing materials such as charcoal and pastels.  Watercolor and acrylic painting skills are developed.  Students will begin a portfolio to prepare for  high school. This class is open to eighth grade students.

Desktop Publishing -  Students will develop skills in electronic procedures of producing and editing publications using various software programs available.  They will learn the skills of formatting, illustrating, design, editing/revising, layout, and design. Topics covered will include the use of fonts, clip art, and scanned and digital images.  Projects include real-life applications of learned skills using desktop publishing software.  This class is open to seventh and eighth grade students.