8th grade Required Courses

8th grade Elective Courses

Language Arts or ESL
U.S. History
Integrated Science III
Math 8 or Algebra I *
Physical Education & Health
Seminar

Linked Semester Courses

Yearly Courses

Music – Computer Applications
Yearbook – Intercultural Education
Spanish I– Graphics Communication
Japanese I – Graphics Communication
Art – Business Enterprise

Band
Spanish I or II (for HS credit)
Japanese I or II (for HS credit)
Reading Lab*
AVID**
Research Project
Math Support*

7th grade Required Courses

7th grade Elective Courses

Language Arts/ ESL
World Geography
Integrated Science II
Math 7
Reading
Physical Education & Health
Seminar

Quarter Courses

Yearly Courses

Art
Music
Computer Applications
Intercultural Education Study Skills

Band
AVID**
Research Project
Math Support*
Reading Lab*

Art: The Art course is designed to develop essential art skills and to expand art experiences. This introduction to the elements and principles of design and art appreciation focuses on a variety of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking.

AVID (Achievement via Individual Determination): AVID is a language arts based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, AVID also provides students with academic survival skills, i.e., time management, note taking, textbook reading, library research, test taking skills, and study skills. The Cornell note-taking system is taught and students are expected to use this system in all classes. Student will be required to take a foreign language class and/or Algebra I.

Band
Beginning Band: T he beginning band course is designed to introduce students to the following: basic instrumental music techniques such as tone production, articulation, breath control, pitch discrimination; melodic and rhythmic concepts and patterns; practice skills and habits; solo, ensemble, and full group rehearsals; a variety of instrumental repertoire; opportunities for private instruction; experiences in performing; and sound practice habits.

Intermediate Band : The intermediate band course is designed to acquaint students with intermediate to advanced instrumental music skills which include, but will not be limited to, the following content: intermediate to advanced level sight-reading skills; discrimination of pitch; absolute essentials for playing in tune; intermediate to advanced rhythm concepts and patterns; techniques for achieving the essentials of unity, balance, and contrast in performing instrumental music; the study of all major and minor scales; the opportunity of performing a variety of good musical repertoire; and listening skills development. 

Advanced Band : The advanced band course is designed to acquaint students with advanced instrumental music skills. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following: the interpretation and analysis of musical scores; the application of musical nuances in playing from a score; independent performance of all major and minor scales; advanced rhythm patterns; performance as a soloist and in small and large group ensembles; a variety of music repertoire including style, periods, forms, electronic music; intermediate to advanced level sight-reading exercises; and introduction to computer/synthesizer musical composition. 

Music: The music course is designed to involve students in three major overlap ping kinds of musical involvement: listening, performing, and creating. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following concepts of folk music: American and international folk music; the fundamentals of music reading; the singing and playing of music; a survey of musical styles; composers and their times; the science of sound; acoustics and electronics; current musical events; the elements of music (rhythm, harmony, tone, color; music of the theater opera, movies, and dance; and creative composition and performance. 

Japanese or Spanish:  The foreign language I course is designed to teach students to pronounce and discriminate among the various vowel and consonant sounds and respond to and to imitate authentic patterns of intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation. Students learn to give simple oral and written information by using appropriate learned vocabulary, word order, and grammatical forms, and to read silently and aloud with comprehension. The major oral and written linguistic principles presented include the following: pronunciation and recognition of foreign language sounds; formation of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences; usage of articles and adjectives to correctly modify nouns; conjugation of various regular and irregular verbs; usage of the present, present progressive, future preterite, and imperfect tenses; usage of comparative, superlative, demonstrative, and possessive adjectives; formation of possession; usage of adverbs; and usage of direct and indirect object pronouns. Various short stories, essays, simple readers, magazines, newspapers, filmstrips, films, slides, videos and computer programs, that are representative of the culture of the different foreign language speaking countries, are used.

Research Project:  The research project course is designed to develop students' abilities to plan, conduct and present a firsthand, original investigation of an original research hypothesis, using appropriate research design. The course emphasizes the development of skills including cognitive, learning-to-learn, problem-solving, decision-making, inquiry, synthesis, analysis, and communication skills. The focus of the investigation/research is original, using real problems and discovery of new or original information. Students may be involved in assigned or prototype project(s) prior to embarking on the original investigation/research projects. An emphasis of the original investigation/research is to bring about some form of change or to contribute something new. Students use the modes of investigation and research procedures used by a practicing professional. The outcome of the investigation/research project is a product, such as a written report and/or construction that is done in a professional manner and is presented to an audience.

Computer Applications:  Computer Applications is designed to assist students in applying a variety of computer technology and its application to their daily lives.  In additional to information literacy, the areas of technology introduced may include word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, e-communication, graphics, presentation and publications applications, and using digital and scanning equipment.

Graphics Communication:  The Introduction to Graphic Communications course is designed to provide students in grades 8 with exploratory and investigative activities in offset lithography, photographic processes, book binding, pad binding, and paper making. The content includes, but is not limited to, building awareness of career opportunities associated with graphic communications; measuring in inches, millimeters, and picas; identifying the historical development of graphic communications materials and processes; utilizing basic numerical, communication, and interpersonal skills generally used in the world of work; and learning to value the personal and social significance of work.  Instructional activities will be provided in the general graphics laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with graphic tools, equipment, and materials related to the course content. Students will plan, design, and construct projects that involved utilizing office duplicating processes; creating screen process prints, and cold composition and planographic printing. Students will investigate content-related occupations, make visits to libraries and graphic industries, present ideas and information orally and in writing, assume leadership roles with the framework of the classroom setting, and develop decision-making skills that will enable students to react successfully to change.

Intercultural Education:  The intercultural education course is designed to acquaint students with the host nation’s culture and values. The course also is intended to expose students to the skills involved in learning foreign languages. Students study key events in the history of the host nation with special attention given to the local environment, such as the cities, historical monuments, and particular geographical features. Elements of art, music, religion, education, and recreational activities of the host nation are studied. Students are taught the industrial aspects (imports, exports, etc.) of the host nation and its unique U.S. customs and traditions. Students learn about the agriculture and foods of the host nation. In addition to learning to appreciate and value the host nation's culture, students learn some of the host nation's language. Students gain enough basic, functional language to be able to communicate in their foreign environment. Useful idiomatic phrases and brief sentences and questions are understood and spoken. Students read and write simple phrases, sentences, and brief paragraphs. The skill of simple translations is also practiced. 

Yearbook Production:  The yearbook production course is a practical course designed to produce the official yearbook for the school. All phases of yearbook production, including photography, copy writing, page layout, and book and advertisement sales are included. The concept of accurate photojournalism is balanced with the need to present the events, activities, and personalities of the school year in a positive manner.  

Business Enterprises
Business Enterprise introduces students to the world of work-its expectations, demand for skills, flow-of-activity, performance standards and need for interpersonal skills. The first nine weeks concentrate on developing these capabilities; the second nine weeks set up a cooperative business simulation or an actual business in which students apply the skills in different work roles.

Reading Lab:  The reading lab course is designed to provide reading instruction for students who are in need of remedial assistance.  The scope of such instruction is generally focused on decoding strategies, basic vocabulary development, comprehension at the literal level, simplified study techniques, reading for personal pleasure, and the application of these skills to daily life.   

Math Support:  The math support class will support and reinforce the basic math concepts taught in the Math 8 course.  Students will have additional opportunities to learn how to write and translate expressions into mathematical forms.  Students will also expand their problem solving experiences to further develop their reasoning, representation, connections, and communication skills.  This is an opportunity for remedial assistance as well as pre teaching of upcoming concepts in math.