- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 9th Grade
- LINKS
EXPLORATORY AND ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH
Students study various aspects of physical education including basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer and other leisure-time activities. In health, students are introduced to decision-making skills that will help them throughout life. Units of study include: substance use and abuse, emergency care, quackery and consumerism, infectious and non-infectious disease, and systems of the body.
(IP) INNOVATIVE PRESENTATIONS
Innovative presentations is a required semester exploratory class. Students will learn to compose and deliver multimedia presentations using oral, visual, and written texts, while incorporating current technology.
BAND
Band gives students the opportunity to learn and understand musical notes, symbols, and terms, as well as a chance to develop proficiency on their musical instrument. Students have the opportunity to perform at band concerts. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EXTRA REHEARSALS AND ALL PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.
ORCHESTRA
Students study forms, styles and techniques which benefit their performing and listening ability. Using string instruments, students study contemporary and classical orchestral music. Orchestra students have the opportunity to perform at concert. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EXTRA REHEARSALS AND ALL PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS. SEMESTER ELECTIVE CLASSES
ART
Art curriculum for the eighth grade puts emphasis on the basic principles of art and art appreciation. Units explore drawing, color mixing and painting, printmaking, pen and ink, and sculpture. More time is spent in each area so that the student can develop his work in greater depth and with more skill. These units are blended with discussions on art and artists in our changing world.
EXPLORATORY LANGUAGE
The focus of this course is on introducing students to basic conversational and written phrases in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. In addition to counting, greetings, and simple nouns, students experience basic vocabulary, practice oral recitation, and study the various cultures.
DRAFTING
Junior High drafting is designed to give students an appreciation for the precision, accuracy, neatness, and the basic technical know-how required in the drafting industry. Eighth grade drafting encompasses proper lettering, measurement with the 16th scale, use and care of equipment, three-view and visualization.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
This course is designed to provide students with an awareness of industrial technology. Students will explore a wide variety of technologies; communications, construction, manufacturing, flight, energy, electronics, biotechnology, computer technology, transportation, forensics, lasers, etc. Student will work in teams to learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
FINE ARTS
This course is designed to introduce the history and appreciation of the arts. It is a humanities course that introduces the basic elements of art, music, theatre, dance, and film. Critical thinking, writing, and discussion activities will show students the humanities' connection to their own lives. The students will explore types of art (painting, sculpture, and artists); music (classical, clues, jazz, pop, opera, instruments, and composers); theatre (Shakespeare to present); dance (folk); and film (learning how to analyze films and the history of filmmaking). The course objectives will be enhanced through the use of videos, CD's, transparencies, guest presentations, hands-on activities like group work, projects, and presentations, and off site learning experiences.
EXPLORATORY AND ELECTIVE
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
LIFE SKILLS 8 (REQUIRED)
Life Skills 8 promotes positive self-esteem to guide students toward effective
living. Decision-making skills, conflict resolution and relationships are
explored. This course includes academic links and study skills. Students are
introduced to and will complete an EDP (educational development plan). Student
success is enhanced through the use of hands-on projects and cooperative
learning experiences.
BAND
Band gives students the opportunity to learn and understand musical notes,
symbols, and terms, as well as a chance to develop proficiency on their musical
instrument. Students have the opportunity to perform at band concerts. ALL
MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EXTRA REHEARSALS AND ALL PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING
EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.
ORCHESTRA
Students study forms, styles and techniques which benefit their performing and
listening ability. Using string instruments, students study contemporary and
classical orchestral music. Orchestra students have the opportunity to perform
at concerts. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EXTRA REHEARSALS AND ALL
PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.
FRENCH I
French I is the study of the French language with special emphasis on
listening, reading, speaking, writing and culture. Learning will concentrate on
bringing new vocabulary and grammar into meaningful communicative situations.
Students will be introduced to the French-speaking people and their customs and
tradition by means of video, audio and computer technology. Use of the language
laboratory and frequent listening activities will enhance students’ ability to
communicate in French. Cultural studies will include French cuisine, schools,
family life, calendar, music, famous people, art and geography.
GERMAN I
This course is offered to all students and introduces
the four language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing the German
language. Students will learn to talk and write about themselves, their
families, and their daily lives. Germany, its people and their lifestyles are
studied using a variety of authentic media such as CD-ROM, video, newspaper,
etc. Students will practice speaking German in classroom activities and in the
language lab. They will also be exposed to German songs, festivals, and foods.
Topics include the life of German teenagers, clothing, school and sports,
current issues and leisure time activities.
SPANISH I
Spanish I is a beginning course providing elementary practice in speaking,
listening, reading, and writing the Spanish language. There is a strong
emphasis on oral communication and listening comprehension through the use of
varied classroom exercises as well as the use of authentic audio and
videotapes. This course is interwoven with much interesting information
concerning the school life, social life, geography, customs, songs, and foods
of the many Spanish-speaking countries. The importance of Spanish to a person
living in the U.S. as well as career opportunities is also discussed.
ART
Art curriculum for the eighth grade puts emphasis on the basic principles of
art and art appreciation. Units explore drawing, color mixing and painting,
printmaking, pen and ink, and sculpture. More time is spent in each area so
that the student can develop his work in greater depth and with more skill.
These units are blended with discussions on art and artists in our changing
world.
EXPLORATORY LANGUAGE
The focus of this course is on introducing students to basic conversational and
written phrases in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. In addition to
counting, greetings, and simple nouns, students experience basic vocabulary,
practice oral recitation, and study the various cultures.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In this exploratory program, students become acquainted with activities which
include volleyball, basketball, badminton, bowling, ping pong, soccer, and many
other facets of physical education that lead to life-long leisure time
activities.
WOODWORKING
This course provides students with a variety of
experiences using hand tools and power tools in the construction of wood
project. Safety habits and work skills are emphasized.
DRAFTING
Junior High drafting is designed to give students an appreciation for the
precision, accuracy, neatness, and the basic technical know-how required in the
drafting industry. Eighth grade drafting encompasses proper lettering,
measurement with the 16th scale, use and care of equipment, three-view drawing
and visualization.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
This course is designed to provide students with an awareness of industrial
technology. Students will explore a wide variety of technologies;
communications, construction, manufacturing, flight, energy, electronics,
biotechnology, computer technology, transportation, forensics, lasers, etc.
Student will work in teams when using the “tools” of technology to learn
problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
VOCAL
Vocal music offers students a chance to perform and enjoy group singing.
Students study singing, choreography and musical theory. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED
TO ATTEND EXTRA REHEARSALS AND ALL PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING EVENINGS AND
WEEKENDS
DRAMA
The focus of this course is the development of voice, movement, and
imagination. Students use a range of techniques to understand character as
actor and/or audience member. Emphasis is placed on the development of poise
and stage presence. The technical aspects of theatre production are introduced
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