AUBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE GUIDE 8

TH

GRADE 2017-18

The middle school curriculum is planned to help students make a smooth transition from elementary school to high school. Teachers stress the mastery of basic skills and provide opportunities for students to explore a variety of courses. School counselors and teachers work closely with students to provide opportunities which will assist in their adjustment to the middle school experience. The middle school program provides flexibility; all decisions are made with the focus on what is best for the student. Parents are encouraged to contact the school to participate in making these important decisions. We want the middle school program to allow all students to grow academically and socially. As you plan with your son or daughter, please note the following:

Required Courses for 8th Grade: English 8 Mathematics Physical Science 8 Civics/Economics 8 ENGLISH 8 Emphasis in the eighth grade is given equally to composition and literature. In composition, students will have usage skills reinforced, and they will begin to write multi-paragraph papers using the standard conventions of the writing process. Students will extend and apply vocabulary knowledge and figurative language. Students will evaluate mass media effects and improve learning/thinking, study and test taking skills with emphasis on reading comprehension. MATH 8 This course is designed to develop the necessary skills for students to begin to think algebraically and to apply algebraic concepts. The emphasis will be on pre-algebra skill development, abstract problem solving, and some practical applications. ALGEBRA I This rigorous, college-prep course is designed to help students develop abstract and symbolic mathematical thought. Emphasis is on the structure of the real number system, application of algebraic skills, and function graphs. This course carries high school credit and thus requires exams at the end of each semester as well as an end-of-course SOL test. GEOMETRY This rigorous, college-prep course is designed to help students develop logical and analytical thinking and deductive reasoning through the Euclidean approach. Problem solving applications reinforce previously mastered algebraic skills. This course carries high school credit and thus requires exams at the end of each semester as well as an end-of-course SOL test. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 8 th

The 8 grade physical science program is a course designed to give students a beginning knowledge of physical science with an emphasis on introductory physics and chemistry. Emphasis is placed on chemical and physical properties of matter, forms of energy, and the laws of motion. Laboratory activities stress use of scientific methods, proper laboratory equipment, and proper safety procedures. CIVICS/ECONOMICS 8 Civics/Economics 8 will build on topics covered in grades 6 and 7 to teach the role of the citizen in American politics and the economic system. Knowledge of the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and the structure and functions of governmental institutions at all levels will be emphasized. The basic principles, structure, and operation of the American economy will also be emphasized. The goals of this course will be to foster patriotism, respect for the law, a sense of civic duty and informed economic decision making. Emphasis will also be placed on human rights and the treatment of all people. PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH 8 The 8th grade physical education course continues the focus on physical fitness and expands the scope of individual, dual, and team sports. Health education explores the topics of family life, death, dying and the process of aging, personal fitness, body systems, health care, and illegal drugs.

Encore Courses for 8th Grade: Art 8 (Semester 2) Band 8 (Full year) Chorus (Full year) Agri-science Exploratory (Semester 2) Agri-science/Horticulture Floriculture (Semester 2)

Family and Consumer Science 8 (Semester 1) Inventions and Innovations- Tech Ed 8 (Semester 1 ) Digital Input Technologies (Semester 1) STEM- Engineering (90 days) Spanish I (Full Year) Math 180 (Full year) Read 180 (Full year)

ENCORE COURSE DESCIPTIONS ART 8 (90 days) Art 8 builds on the foundations laid in previous courses to provide further instruction and exploration in both two and three-dimensional art processes. While this remains a studio-based course, students will investigate more advanced topics as they relate to the production of their own work and the work of others. BAND 8 (180 days) Advanced Band is open to any middle school student who has successfully completed the Beginning and Intermediate levels of instrumental music instruction outlined above, or who can pass a performance proficiency evaluation as judged by the director. This class emphasizes continued development of quality, tone production, and technique through the advanced study of scales, rhythm exercises, and the reading and performance of Grade III and IV literature. A selected method book may be used as a supplement. The students are expected to participate in selected events. Introduction to marching techniques may begin in the spring. CHORUS 8 (180 days) The students further develop their under- standing of vocal techniques, vocal skills, and music reading skills as an extension of the 7th grade chorus. This understanding is applied as the student experiences an increasing range of literature. The student performs selections from accompanied and unaccompanied choral music. The repertoire is representative of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary (folk, spiritual, jazz, rock, serious) periods. Three and fourpart music is sung. Students participate in public performance. Special interest is paid to multi-cultural music.. AGRI-SCIENCE EXPLORATORY (90 days) This course is designed to build interest in the agriculture and environmental science areas. Topics include Agriculture in America and Virginia, FFA and Youth Leadership, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Horticulture and Floral Design, Gardening, and Soil Science, Food Science, and Aquaculture. AGRI-SCIENCE/HORTICULTURE (90 days) This course is designed to allow students to further explore and integrate technology into the agriculture and environmental science areas. Topics include FFA, supervised agricultural experiences, agricultural experiments, new technologies in the various agricultural areas, international agriculture, agricultural business, hand tools and agricultural power equipment, small animal care, horticulture, and landscape design. (It is recommended that students have Agri-science Exploratory as a pre-requisite.) FLORICULTURE EXPLORATORY (90 days) This is a course for students who are interested in floral design. Students will participate in a simulated Floral Business as a part of an agricultural experience project that will operate within the school. Students will learn various concepts in floral design greenhouse operations, and agricultural business operations including finances, marketing, inventory, and sales. FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE (90 days) This is a class in the Family and Consumer Sciences area of Career and Technical Education. The purpose of the class is to help early adolescents achieve selfresponsibility at school, within the family, and in the community. This course provides a foundation for management of individual, family, work, and community roles and responsibilities. The dynamics of relationships, health and wellness, food preparation and nutrition, and basic sewing skills will be covered. INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS-- TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 8 (90 days) Students experience a variety of uses of technology in today’s world through interactive computer programs in the following areas: digital manufacturing, computer graphics and animation, engineering bridges and flight technology. Other basic units of study include beginning drafting, tools and machine safety, basic woodworking, and design. th

DIGITAL INPUT TECHNOLOGIES (90 days)-- REQUIRED before 9 grade Students develop skills in touch typewriting and correct manipulation of the computer. Students learn to type personal and business letters, outlines, and reports. This class must be taken either in 7th or 8th grade. S.T.E.M. ENGINEERING (90 days) S.T.E.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This is a course where students use a design-based approach to a multi-disciplinary class. Students will be introduced to biotechnology, robotics, design challenges, and composting. th

SPANISH I (180 days) – 8 graders only The first year of Spanish I introduces the Spanish language through both the written and spoken forms. At the end of the course, students should have control of the PRESENT tense of Spanish, including all its forms. Hispanic cultures are studied through multimedia, geography, history, culture, and literature. This course is guided by district and state SOL requirements for Level I Spanish. A mid-term and final exam as well as special attendance requirements must be completed to receive high school credit.

READ 180-(Full year) Students will be assigned to READ 180 as their encore class based on grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations. MATH 180- (Full year) Students will be assigned to MATH 180 as their encore class based on grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations.