8th Grade Elective Courses: Personalized Learning Pathway

World Languages

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE B (Year-Long) (068933)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level A course

American Sign Language is the most widely used sign language in the United States. Students will continue to study the basic vocabulary, structure, syntax and grammar of ASL. Learners will expand their mastery of the basics of finger spelling, facial grammar and sentence structure. Students will also learn conversational/cultural behaviors necessary to hold a beginning and intermediate-level conversation in ASL with deaf/hard-of-hearing native users of the language. Information about deaf culture will also be presented to provide students with a broad picture of language and culture. American Sign Language (ASL) B is for students who have successfully completed ASL A and have no additional experience with American Sign Language.

FRENCH B (Year-long Course) (068533)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level A course

French B is designed for students who have successfully completed Level A. Students will study various French-speaking countries and peoples to better understand their diverse cultures. Students will expand on their ability to describe themselves, family and friends, and daily life. They will participate in class by expressing themselves in French through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. At the end of this course students will be introduced to skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will help them live and work in an increasingly global society. Upon successful completion of French B, students will be ready to take French 2 at the high school level. *Middle school students may choose to receive high school credit for this course.  If so, the grades earned in this course will appear on the student's transcript. 

SPANISH B (Year-long Course) (068833)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level A course

Spanish B is designed for students who have successfully completed Level A. Students will study various Spanish-speaking countries and peoples. Students will expand their ability to discuss feelings, family and friends, and daily life. They will participate in activities such as paired practice, small group work, and role plays in order to increase their speaking and writing skills. By the end of this course, students will have been introduced to skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will help them live and work in an increasingly global society. Upon successful completion of Spanish B, students will be ready to take Spanish 2 at the high school level. *Middle school students may choose to receive high school credit for this course.  If so, the grades earned in this course will appear on the student's transcript. 

Physical Education

PHYSICAL EDUCATION MENTOR (One Semester or Year-long Course) (088543)

Grade: 7-8

Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

This course will give students the opportunity to improve their skills in mentoring others as they serve as assistants for students with physical and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in Physical Education. Students will take on the role of “buddies'' to provide leadership in a variety of physical fitness games and activities. 

Music

CADET STRINGS (Year-long Course) (126613)

Grades: 6-8

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed for beginning students and students who took strings in elementary school but didn’t take a full 3 years or and/or the full year of 5th grade orchestra. Students who don’t have the required experience or otherwise recommended for the class should be directed into the concertino orchestra. The course will cover beginning Level strings technique including proper posture positioning, how to hold the bow, playing in first position, identifying notes on the staff, basic tone production, instrument care and maintenance, and beginning ensemble skills. Regardless of experience, there will be no expectation of experience and instruction will begin from the very beginning of learning to play a string instrument.  Like our 3rd grade beginning strings class, this class will only perform once, on the final concert of the year.  Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent). 

CONCERT BAND (Year-long Course) (128503)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.  An audition may be required.

Concert Band is designed for the third year band student. Emphasis will be placed on the development of advanced technical skills, tone quality, and style. Musical theory, analysis of form, and increased individual expression are incorporated. Increased performance opportunities are available. Attendance at all performances is required. Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent).

CONCERT CHOIR (MIXED) (Year-long Course) (128703)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite:  Approval of instructor.

Eighth Grade Concert Choir (Mixed) provides an opportunity for students to develop musically within a choral ensemble. Various styles of music will be studied with an emphasis on sight singing, vocal production, concert etiquette, and performance technique. An understanding of musical elements and terminology is reinforced. This choir will perform in various concerts throughout the year. Attendance is required at all performances.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (Year-long Course) (128703)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.

Eighth Grade Concert Orchestra continues to develop personal technical and performance skills for students within the ensemble. Emphasis is placed on the refinement of listening skills, improved intonation, balance and blend, tone quality, and individual practice skills. Proficiency is increased in music reading, analysis, and interpretation. A wide variety of orchestral repertoire is presented from many styles. Instruments are required for daily practice and all performances. Attendance is required at rehearsals and concerts. Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent).

Fine Arts

VIDEO PRODUCTION FOR DIGITAL DEVICES (Semester-long Course) (058643)

Grade: 8 

Prerequisite: None

This multidisciplinary course will introduce students into the world of video production across varied digital platforms. In this course, students will create projects that encompass techniques used in the fields of TV, film, and web- based applications. Our students will work in cooperative learning teams to fulfill the job assignments of a production team by writing and editing copy for teleprompters; creating and planning storyboards; directing, editing & filming scenes using a variety of cameras available to us; and serving as on-air talent. The work could include the creation of student produced news for campus wide distribution; a student showcase through short film festival; and projects to enhance learning in other classrooms around the building.

TECHNICAL THEATRE DESIGN (Semester-long Course) (058753)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: None

There is more to theatre than acting!  This course is a hands-on and design approach to the backstage aspects of theatrical production.  Students in this class will create original designs based on scripts.  They will also study and complete projects on all the technical aspects of production:  sound, light, make-up, costumes, publicity, set design, scenery and props.

THEATRE PRODUCTION (Semester-long Course) (058743)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: None

Let’s put on a show!  Grab your costume, toolbox, and script as we create a performance for an audience.  In this course, students will demonstrate their skills in acting, design, construction, and production.  After time spent building a supportive ensemble and refining acting and technical skills, the class will collaborate on an end of semester production for an invited audience.  Students will have the choice to work onstage or behind the scenes in multiple and varied job opportunities.

VISUAL ARTS DESIGN (Semester-long Course) (028643)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: None

Students will explore the world of design and its impact on our surroundings. This course places a strong emphasis on the principles of design, art history, and foundational artistic skills. Students will engage with various mediums, including digital art and drawing, as they learn to apply these principles to their creative works. This course fosters independent thinking and encourages students to connect their design choices to self, community, and culture.

Emphasis: Design impact on surroundings, principles of design, art history, foundational artistic skills, various mediums (digital art, drawing). Focus: Applying design principles, independent thinking, connecting design choices to self, community, and culture.

VISUAL ARTS STUDIO (Semester-long Course) (028543)

Grade: 8

Prerequisite: None

Visual art students will explore self-expression and creativity, honing their skills through a diverse range of artistic mediums including elements, mixed media, 3D art, painting, and drawing. This course emphasizes the development of a well-rounded portfolio, encouraging students to become independent artists with a deeper understanding of the artistic process. Through personal exploration, they will connect with their own identity, community, and culture.

Emphasis: Self-expression, creativity, diverse mediums (elements, mixed media, 3D art, painting, drawing).

Focus: Well-rounded portfolio development, independence in art, deeper understanding of the artistic process, personal exploration, and cultural connections

Career Technical Education

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CREATORS (Semester-long Course) (038543)

Grade: 8 

Prerequisite: None

This advanced business and technology course teaches students industry-leading practices and skills in personal finance, entrepreneurship and coding in a hands-on manner. Students will leave this course with the ability to think critically and creatively through creating mobile apps, cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit, gaining financial responsibility from the businesses they create and operate within the school all while understanding the benefits of teamwork. There is a $10 course fee for this course, and $15 for the year-long course.

ENGINEERING CHALLENGE (Semester-long Course) (108543)

Grade: 8
Prerequisite: None

Compete against your classmates in the world of engineering, design, and robotics while challenging your problem solving skills and STEM knowledge. Are you up for the challenge?Students in this course will be able to use concepts of problem solving to challenge their skills and knowledge of engineering.  Course content will revolve around the various engineering subjects of robotics and 3D designing.  Various design and programming software will allow each student to construct and test robots, mechanisms, designs in green architecture, and 3D design and printing all while using the design process and tools. There is a $10 course fee for this course, and $15 for the year-long course.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES EXPLORATION (Semester-long Course) (098543)

Grade: 8 

Prerequisite: None

Have you ever wondered how pizza dough rises? Or how clothes are designed and constructed? This class will discover the art of science and design related to Human Services, Hospitality & Tourism, Child Development and Apparel & Textile Design while giving students the opportunity to build communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. This is a hands-on course focusing on problem and project based learning experiences with design and science as the focus with advanced learning activities in cooking, sewing labs, fashion and interior design, and child development. There is a $10 course fee for this course, and $15 for the year-long course.