Scheduling season is right around the corner which involves many tough decisions. For most though, their decisions center around which elective to take. There are a variety of electives that Adams has to offer, and some people might not even know of all of them. So, I have compiled a quick description of some of the many electives that Adams offers in addition to many of the IB classes that students may choose from, including some personal recommendations.
When most people think of electives they think of something creative, like art. Adams has many wonderful art classes for students to choose from. Introduction to 2D art and Introduction to 3D art are the basic prerequisite courses that many students choose to take. In Introduction to 3D art students learn how to draw, shade, and paint! Speaking from personal experience, Introduction to 3D art is a useful class for even those who do not consider themselves to be artists. The ability to draw can be useful in a variety of circumstances such as when creating diagrams. In Introduction to 3D art students complete a number of projects using a variety of different methods and materials such as paper mache, wires and sewing. Adams additionally offers Advanced 2D and 3D art courses for those looking to further their skills in those areas. Another art class that is available for students to take is ceramics. In ceramics, students learn a variety of sculpting methods, throwing pottery on the wheel, and glazing their own creations. Furthermore, students even get to bring their projects home with them, so for those looking to take this class, clear off a shelf for some fun pottery! Photography is also available for those wanting to get their hands on a camera. For those looking to take their skills to a new level and wanting to spend time on creative projects in different mediums, IB Art grants students lots of creative liberty in their projects while also advancing their skills.
On a similar creative note, Adams has plenty of music electives for all music lovers to enjoy. From higher commitments like band and show choir, to class time commitments. Band and show choir both require auditions to participate and require some time outside of class, however, both are great opportunities for making friends and look good on a college application. Regular choir is also available as a more easy-going alternative to show choir that does not require an audition. Another fun music class that not too many know about, but it is a hidden gem, is guitar studies. In this class students spend every day learning how to play the guitar, no equipment or prior experience needed! Music theory is offered for students who are interested in the composition and structure of music, so if you have an interest in writing songs, this class is for you. IB Music, similar to music theory, also deals with the composition of music and is great for all music-lovers regardless of what instrument they play.
While most people think of art and music when they think of electives, Adams also offers electives in English and other subjects! Many students enjoy taking Creative Writing where they learn how to craft their own stories and write them in a proper format. Though there may be some bias, I can say that Newspaper is an incredible elective in which students can write about whatever topics they can brainstorm, and also looks good on a college application! Creative students may also enjoy Yearbook in which they spend all year putting together the John Adams yearbook (and those who take the class may even get a discount if they sell enough ads)! An elective that is new this year is Mrs. Drake’s Novel Course Studies class in which students get to spend the entire period reading self-chosen books (which is a dream come true to all the book-worms out there). IB English is a requirement for IB diploma candidates, however, many other students choose to take the class where they analyze a variety of texts from a global perspective. Many others may not know about IB film which is an incredibly fun class where students watch and analyze movies while also creating their own short-films. While enjoyable, this class helps students to grow incredibly in their knowledge of cinematic techniques.
Even lesser known than the English electives are the science electives. While Biology and Chemistry are required classes, students have the opportunity to pick out an additional science class as well. Anatomy tends to be popular with those who are interested in the medical field. Earth Science is also offered and tends to be one of the less demanding science classes. For people who enjoy math, Physics is a good choice. Marine biology is a one semester elective science class if you are a science-lover with a gap in your schedule. IB science classes include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sports Science, and Earth Science. IB Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are considered to be the top three most difficult IB science courses, however, they can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy those subjects. Speaking from personal experience, I would recommend taking HL physics rather than SL because HL allows students for two years to fully learn and comprehend subject materials rather than SL which only allows for one. IB sports science is enjoyable to those who enjoy sports or even anatomy because the class comprises a lot of information about the human body. IB Earth science is a special IB class because it can function as either a science credit or a social studies credit towards the IB diploma. Science-lovers can then take it as their social studies, or social-studies-lovers can take it as their science!
Social-studies-lovers may also want to leave room in their second semester schedule for the medieval courses class which has the unique opportunity of partnering with Notre Dame. Other classes offered as social studies electives are Psychology and Sociology offered on opposing semesters for those who like to learn about human behavior and its functions within society. IB History of the Americas, Psychology, Philosophy and World Religions are the other IB social studies offered. IB Philosophy has earned a sligh reputation for being one of the harder IB classes, however, students from Adams have tended to score high on their IB Philosophy exams. IB World Religions, on the other hand, has a reputation for being one of the most enjoyable IB classes with students examining religion and culture and also taking fun field trips!
When it comes to math, people become a little bit daunted, but for those to get out of Pre-Calculus or Calculus, a Business Math class is offered. IB math courses are also offered with the choices being IB Math Analysis and Approaches or IB Math Applications and Interpretations. IB Analysis and Approaches is considered to be more difficult than Approaches and Interpretations and explores mathematical theories and different approaches to solving mathematical problems. Analysis and Approaches cover a wide range of topics. Applications and Interpretations, on the other hand, has a focus on mathematical models and the application of math into real world problems.
Choosing the right schedule is important for exploring individual interests and hobbies. The decision to take advanced and IB courses is difficult, but my advice is that if you really like that subject then try it!
