8 th Grade Course Description Guide

Transcription

1 Required Courses (meet Every Day All Year) 8 th Grade Course Description Guide Language Arts Reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking will be developed in alignment with the IA Common Core Curriculum. 8 Advanced Language Arts - Students who enroll in this course are expected to be motivated to perform at high levels. They should be willing and able to display higher-order, critical thinking skills within their written and verbal communication. Students are expected to display sophisticated skills as readers and writers, motivated to be resourceful and independent, taking ownership over their success and willing to take and accept challenges. While this course meets the same standards as the other language arts classes, students will be exposed to more challenging texts, higher-order writing prompts, a faster pace, development of robust speaking skills, and other enrichment opportunities. The majority of assessments are more complex in written and spoken formats. This class will prepare students for other advanced-level courses, including Advanced English in 9th -10th grades as well as AP courses and beyond. However, taking this course does not mean students must stay on that advanced pathway. Math 8 Math - Concepts and skills to prepare for 9 th Algebra 8 Algebra - Algebraic concepts and skills 8 Geometry for those who completed Algebra 1 in 7 th grade Placement based on demonstration of mastery of math skills on Iowa Assessments, MAP, and standardized math tests Science 8 Science - Acquire and apply major concepts in science OR 8 Accelerated Science - Physical science concepts as well as 8 th Science concepts compacted. Placement based on demonstration of mastery of science skills on Iowa Assessments, MAP, and standardized science tests Placement determined after completion of 7 th grade and updated by school personnel Social Studies Study of American History from European exploration through This includes Colonization, Revolution, Forming a New Nation, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War. Health - (Required course that meets Every Other Day One Semester) This course will discuss health issues, which will allow students to gain valuable knowledge to make informed health decisions. The course will cover physical fitness and nutrition, mental/emotional health, noncommunicable/communicable diseases, drugs/alcohol/tobacco, the reproductive system, sexually transmitted disease and peer pressure influences. How all of these relate to the three components of health will also be addressed (social, emotional/mental, physical). P.E. 8 (Physical Education) (Required course that meets Every Other Day All Year) Functional fitness activities focusing on providing students with experience in various fitness equipment and teaching students about life-long fitness. Character & Career Development (Required course that meets Every Day All Year) During this course, the students will discuss topics related to character and career planning. Lessons will focus on the six pillars of character, 21 st century skills, peer pressure, bullying, time management, note and test taking strategies, organizational skills, as well as many other topics. Students will take an online interest survey, skills survey, and explore careers that align with both your interests and skills. They will also explore courses offered at the high school and develop a draft of their four-year high school course plan.

2 Optional Electives French I-8 (meets Every Day All Year) In this class students will be developing language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. Learning the French alphabet and numbers, verb forms, grammar points, and simple conversations are some of the skills learned in this beginning class. Continuing to take French throughout high school can accrue 12 college credits for the French student. Spanish I-8 (meets Every Day All Year) In this class, students will be learning the fundamentals of the Spanish language and about several Hispanic cultures. Students will be able to communicate in the present and near future tenses about daily activities in a conversational manner. With practice, students will be able to ask and answer questions, understand spoken Spanish, and speak with an accent that a native speaker would understand. Students will be provided with a textbook and packets to use throughout the year. Foreign Language is not a Johnston High School graduation requirement. World Language is not usually required for students attending a two-year college. Most four-year universities (including Iowa and Iowa State) require two years of the same foreign language for admission. Eighth grade foreign language courses are recognized for college admission, but students do not earn high school credit. 8 th Band (meets Every Day All Year) 8th Grade Band is a performance-based class that focuses on the study and performance of various styles of highquality band literature. This literature is used as a vehicle to explore the concepts of tone, balance, blend, intonation, rhythm, technique, and articulation. Students will participate and perform in three concerts each year. In addition to the full ensemble component, each student is required to prepare for and attend small group lessons. In this smaller setting, students continue to develop skills on their specific instruments. Band students may also elect to audition for Jazz Band, which meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and alternating Fridays. Choir 8 (meets Every Other Day All Year) In choir, all students have the opportunity to sing in a mixed group setting in which they will learn vocal fundamentals such as breath support, diction, vowel modification, and performance techniques. Solfege syllables and hand signs will be used to enhance sight-reading skills and improve part-singing. Students will participate in three concerts performing a varied repertoire of songs. Gateway To Technology (meets Every Day for one Semester) Gateway to Technology utilizes curriculum from Project Lead the Way (PLTW). The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in an effort to prepare students for academic and professional success in these areas. The first nine week unit is titled Design and Modeling and focuses on the design process. Students brainstorm, research, create models as well as evaluate design ideas and communicate solutions. Students learn sketching techniques and utilize 3D modeling software (Autodesk Inventor) to help communicate their design solutions. This all culminates in a final project that will be created using a 3D printer. During the second nine week unit titled Robotics and Automation, students trace the history, development and influence of automation and robotics on our present day society. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork, collaboration and innovation as well as robotic programming. Vex robotics systems are used to create solutions to the final automation problems.

3 Green Architecture (meets Every Day for one Semester) Green Architecture utilizes curriculum from Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Students will begin by learning about the basics in architecture and construction. This will include identifying the systems required in homes, understanding floor plan layout and blue prints and exploring various design styles. Building Green will also be studied which will consist of investigating recycling, indoor air quality, and home styles in different geographic regions and what can be done to make them green. Students will make architectural designs using a computer aided drafting program (Autodesk Revit). Emphasis will be placed on hands on activities that involve students creating model wall structures and a model of a room or house design. Exploratory Electives (meets Every Other Day One semester) All classes are of an exploratory nature. Classes will be assigned depending upon the optional choices made and class availability. Animal Science Animal Science is a class that introduces animal behaviors, general characteristics of animals, structure of animals and functions of animal systems. Students study techniques in how to train and care for animals however, there are no live animals in the classroom. The course also includes the study of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Animal science class builds scientific vocabulary by learning to recognize prefix and suffix meanings throughout the semester. Art-8 In this introductory 8 th grade class, students will explore the following topics: how to look at artwork in a critical way and discuss it, left brain vs. right brain thinking, narrative art, using Chinese ink and quill, relief carving and printmaking, using art to express emotion, how to draw the effects of light and shadow, Clay, the history of art and importance of it today, mixing colors, color schemes, and painting. Current Events The Des Moines Register will be used as a primary source for this course. Each day the students will review at least one article, which is relevant to the day s discussion topic. Students will read and analyze articles. They will respond critically in writing. Current Science This is an elective course about science topics, discoveries, and practices that are currently gaining attention in the popular media. Class activities are designed to develop critical thinking skills, to apply prior knowledge and newly acquired knowledge in order to enhance classroom discussion, and to increase science vocabulary. Resources will include internet websites, educational videos, Science World magazine and other popular media. Drama During this elective class, students will look closely at what constitutes a dramatic scene as well as developing character and believability on stage. Students will learn about stage movement, interpretation of written text, and improvisation, as well as acting in, writing, and directing scenes of their own and/or those supplied by the instructor.

4 Exploratory Electives con t (meets Every Other Day One semester) Family Consumer Science-8 This class gives students knowledge that can be used in everyday life and prepares students for future Family and Consumer Science courses. Topics include: Kitchen Basics, Consumerism, Basic Sewing and Child Development. Fantasy Math The inclusion of fantasy sports in learning environments has been shown to be a unique and effective method to teach mathematics. Fantasy sports are games in which students create fantasy teams by picking real-life professional athletes, who earn points based on their performances in their games. Students track their players' statistics and compute points for their teams using algebraic or non-algebraic methods that complement the math skills they are learning. Students can follow their players in newspapers, online, or on television. Intro to Speech Whether in class, with family and friends, or at work, the ability to speak effectively is critical when communicating with others. Goals for speech class include: Present a variety of speeches, individual and group, that reflect real-world speaking opportunities Learn how to organize one s thinking prior to speaking Research and include clearly focused ideas that support one s topic Build confidence when speaking in front of others Develop eye contact, voice quality, and purposeful movement when speaking Intro to Journalism This course is an introduction to journalism with an emphasis on yearbook design. (ISR) Issues in Social Responsibility This course will give students an overview of the judicial system. Students will view and discuss cases from previous years and analyze the process and decisions involved. The course also focuses on the causes of social struggles and problems in American society. To understand social problems, the course will look at the social, political, and economic conditions that perpetuate social problems. Such problems students will discuss will be racial and ethical tensions, poverty, crime, juvenile delinquency, gangs, substance abuse and other social ills. Many theories will be offered to explain the malfunction and struggles of a society along with student offered solutions to these problems. Math Applications This elective class involves the exploration of math in "real-world" applications. The class will be built around a series of projects that align to both 8th Grade Common Core Standards and Mathematical Practices. Each project will help reinforce the mathematical learning from their core class and bring in elements from other areas of study. Connections will be made to a wide variety of topics to engage students and demonstrate how many places math is found throughout our world. We will also build problem solving and critical thinking skills through cooperative group learning. Modern Cultures This class focuses on modern American history and popular culture. Students will understand how pop culture has shaped and changed America. The themes covered include the economy and stock market, conflict in the Middle East, Communism and Cold War propaganda, and the Civil Rights Movement. Students will discover how historical influences impact current and world events and perpetuate a history of conflict in the United States and around the world.

5 Exploratory Electives con t (meets Every Other Day One semester) STEM + Innovation STEM + Innovation is a problem based course that investigates 3 main questions: What is STEM? What does it mean to be innovative? How have innovators influenced STEM fields? Students should expect to think critically and work collaboratively with their peers. We will have guest speakers from various STEM fields come in and share their experiences with us. During the last six weeks of the semester, students will work together to design and conduct a research study. Students should have an interest in STEM fields and the desire to participate in a problem based learning environment. Our World In this course, students will strengthen skills reading maps, graphs, and diagrams. Using the five themes of geography (location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region) students will examine the world's physical and political features, people, and places. Special Programs Students involved in special programs (Special Education, Extended Learning Program, English Language Learner, etc.) will be assigned by their teachers into the appropriate classes. ELP students who qualify for Mock Trial or History Day will be scheduled in during the Character/Career Ed. Class on an every-other day basis. If you have questions, call the Student Services Office Contact Nate Tobey, School Counselor at nate.tobey@johnston.k12.ia.us or Abbey Moomaw, School Counselor at abbey.moomaw@johnston.k12.ia.us