8th Grade Curriculum

Year Courses:

Math 8, Algebra, or Geometry
English Language Arts or Pre-Honors English Language Arts
Life Science
US/PA Studies or Pre-Honors US/PA Studies
Health and Physical Education (90 days)
Music (90 days) - Band, Chorus, General Music, or Orchestra

Nine-Weeks (9)/Quarter Courses:

Art
Communications I
Computer Applications
Computer Science
Family and Consumer Science
Industrial Technology
Library Science & Media
Study Hall (ungraded)

8th Grade Course Descriptions

*MATH 8 (837)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Math 8 is a course designed to align with PA math 8 standards. Math 8 will consist of students extensively working on: solving equations, simplifying expressions, rules of exponents, solving systems, and solving and graphing linear equations. The class prepares students to take Algebra I in ninth grade.
Prerequisite	Math 7 *Accelerated Math 7 students who earn below 80% and/or do not pass the PSSA test (basic/below basic) will move on to Math 8

*ALGEBRA I (835)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Algebra I is a course that is designed to emphasize the study of multiple representations of linear functions. It includes mathematical concepts for working with rational numbers, various expressions, analyzing and solving linear equations & inequalities, data analysis, probability, statistics, and polynomials. Students will use hands-on materials and calculators when needed in solving problems where the Algebra concepts are applied. Students who pass Algebra I with a 60% or higher and pass both the Keystone and PSSA exams (advanced/proficient) will take Geometry as a ninth grader. Students who pass Algebra I with a 90% or higher and pass the Keystone and PSSA exams (advanced/proficient) will be eligible to take Honors Geometry as a ninth grader. Students who score below 60% or do not pass both the Keystone and PSSA exams (advanced/proficient) will take Algebra I in ninth grade.
Prerequisite	Advanced or Proficient PSSA & 80% or higher in Accelerated Math 7 *Seventh grade Algebra I students who earn below 80% and/or do not pass the Keystone Exam (basic/below basic) will retake Algebra I

*GEOMETRY (838)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Geometry is designed to incorporate basic Algebra skills into a geometric setting. Students will be required to use problem-solving skills, oral and written communications, projects and structured activities to develop their reasoning and logic skills. Emphasis in this course will focus on transitioning from abstract thinking to specific applications through inductive and deductive reasoning. Students will extend their knowledge through a fundamental geometric theory system. Topics include triangles, parallel lines, coordinate geometry, quadrilaterals, right triangles, similar figures, volume, and area. Students with Proficient or Advanced PSSA scores & 90% or higher in Geometry will qualify to take Honors Algebra II as a ninth grader. Students who pass Geometry with a 60% or higher will take Algebra II as a ninth grader. Students who score below 60% will retake Geometry in ninth grade.
Prerequisite	Proficient or Advanced Keystone & 80% or higher in Algebra I

*ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 (801)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	In ELA 8, students will be reading, writing, and exploring literature and universal themes. Students will work towards becoming more independent and confident readers and writers, who use various strategies to achieve their highest potential. Students will read, write, comprehend, create, analyze, interpret, and cultivate a solid understanding of literature and writing concepts necessary for future ELA courses. Students will gain independence in reading and writing as well as an elevated mastery of grammar and vocabulary. Students will read a variety of short stories, poems, a novel, a novella, a play, and various nonfiction pieces. A plethora of discussions, activities, written works, projects, and research will be incorporated to enhance each student’s learning experience.
Prerequisite	None

*PRE-HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 (804)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	In Pre-Honors ELA 8, students will be reading, writing, and exploring literature and universal themes. Students will work to become mature creators and consumers of complex texts and become confident in their abilities to read, understand, analyze, interpret, compare, contrast, create, and evaluate complex texts and their own written works. Also, students will become active writers who will be able to confidently approach written pieces (essays, short responses, etc.,) Students will read works from a variety of different genres and types of literary pieces including novels, a play, poems, short stories, and works on nonfiction. The goal of this class is for students to enhance reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and also to explore ideas of student identity as responsible, independent students. A plethora of discussions, activities, assignments, projects, presentations, research, etc. will be offered to enhance and explore each student’s reading and writing abilities.
Prerequisite	Must earn an 88% or higher in Pre-Honors ELA 7 or 92% or higher in ELA 7

*COMMUNICATIONS I (809)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	This course addresses PA Academic Standards for English Language Arts, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and the PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work. Students will identify purposes of speaking, steps to organizing a speech, the four ways to deliver a speech; understand and implement non-verbal aspects of speaking; improve their listening skills; and present a speech in extemporaneous and manuscript delivery. Each student should be able to record data, research a topic independently and understand how to use visual aids in a speech presentation. Students will be able to utilize the five steps to organizing a written document, understand the importance of outlining and narrowing a topic, as well as the four methods of writing: narrative, informative, persuasive, and expository. Students will be able to select a career path or cluster and identify high school courses that are applicable to that path.
Prerequisite	None

*LIFE SCIENCE (822)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Life Science is an introductory level course designed to enable students to explore basic biological concepts. Students focus on concepts that are shared by all living things such as cell structure, biochemical make-up, and inheritance. There is also a focus on the diversity of life as students classify the many different species of living organisms into kingdoms and other classification categories. There is also a unit on ecology that relates the interdependence of living with each other and with their environment.
Prerequisite	None

*US/PA STUDIES (811)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	US/PA Studies covers early American history, geography, and government. Students will study American history beginning with the American Revolution and continuing through Westward Expansion in the mid-1800s. While focusing on foreign and domestic issues facing our nation in this era, students will engage in critical and creative thinking skills and primary source analysis.
Prerequisite	None

*PRE-HONORS US/PA STUDIES (812)*
Credit(s)	1	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Pre-Honors US/PA Studies is an advanced course of the US/PA Studies course. The Pre-Honors US/PA Studies class follows the basic curriculum of the US/PA Studies course and covers topics in greater depth. More emphasis is placed on independence, critical thinking skills, written and oral communication, and literary analysis. Various enrichment activities are included.
Prerequisite	Must earn an 88% or higher in Pre-Honors Global Studies or 92% or higher in Global Studies

*HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION (882)*
Credit(s)	0.5	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	The Health curriculum, conducted in conjunction with the Physical Education program, is designed to help individuals become sensitive, healthy persons who take an active role in protecting, maintaining, and improving their health. Students study STDs, HIV and AIDS, suicide prevention, alcohol, drugs, and CPR. This half credit class meets every other day over the course of the school year. The Physical Education program provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, lead up games, team sports, individual sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in rules, skills, and strategies associated with the different sports as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities and lifelong physical activities. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition. This half credit class meets every other day over the course of the school year.
Prerequisite	None

*CHORUS (892)*
Credit(s)	0.5	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	The Middle School Chorus is open to all 8th grade students and will help students learn proper vocal techniques and develop better music reading skills. Students learn individual, small group, and large group ensemble techniques and will experience a varied choral repertoire. Individual and small group dance, keyboard, and/or vocal opportunities may be granted. Please note, as part of this course, students are required (graded) to attend two evening concerts (December and May). This half credit class meets every other day over the course of the school year.
Prerequisite	None

*ORCHESTRA (894)*
Credit(s)	0.5	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Middle School Orchestra is open to all students who play an orchestral string instrument. (violin, viola, cello, bass.) Orchestra provides students with the academic opportunity to study their instrument, develop their technique, increase their musical literacy, and experience quality orchestral literature through meaningful ensemble performance. Special attention is given to forming proper habits regarding ensemble routine, resonant tone production, intonation, rhythm, critical listening, and musical expression, through skill study and participation in rehearsal. Two evening concerts are required (typically in December and May). This half credit class meets every other day throughout the school year.
Prerequisite	None - Previous instruction is recommended

*BAND (891)*
Credit(s)	0.5	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	The 8th Grade Band is open to all students who previously studied a band instrument. Students may enroll as a beginning band student with consultation from the band director. Students will increase their instrumental skills through use of warm-ups, scales, and concert literature. Additional rehearsals occur outside of class during the activity period. Three evening concerts (December, February, and May), the Music Performance Assessment (during the school day in May) and a performance at the Homecoming football game (September or October) are required (graded). Students electing Band as a class may also participate in Orchestra and/or Chorus during activity period, schedule permitting. There are additional opportunities for select honors groups, percussion ensemble and jazz band. This half credit class meets every other day over the course of the school year.
Prerequisite	None - Previous instruction is recommended

*GENERAL MUSIC (893)*
Credit(s)	0.5	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	In General Music, students will study the elements of music and various musical genres and styles. Students will work toward becoming lifelong education consumers of music through classroom work, hands-on projects, quizzes, and tests. There are no required concerts or after school events with this course. This half credit class meets every other day over the course of the school year.
Prerequisite	None

*ART (876)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	This is a discovery course where students will engage in a variety of two and three dimensional projects. Basic design, drawing, painting, ceramic, and sculpture techniques will be explored. A concentration on the principles and elements of design, incorporated with art history, STEAM, and career exploration will be integrated into various art projects throughout the nine weeks.
Prerequisite	None

*FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE (862)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Family and Consumer Science (FACS) class focuses on independent living skills. Students are encouraged to practice organizational and decision-making skills while being given the opportunity to explore basic goal setting by efficiently using their available resources. Through theory and hands-on activities, as well as practical application in basic math and science skills, students obtain a background in budgeting, home maintenance and room design, basic meal planning, and making wise consumer choices.
Prerequisite	None

*INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (864)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Industrial Technology will cover some basic mechanical drawing through orthographic projection and multiview drawings with emphasis on measurement, layout, accuracy, line technique, and neatness. Students also look at the role of a research and development engineer in race car design. Students must consider aerodynamics such as drag, friction, streamlining, and turbulence while designing and developing their own compressed air dragster. Students will also design wheels to go onto the front of their compressed air race cars. They will use Inventor, a 3D modeling software program, to design the wheels following a given set of criteria. Once the wheel design has been completed, students will print them out using the Afinia H800 3D printer.
Prerequisite	None

*LIBRARY SCIENCE & MEDIA (806)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	The Library Science and Media course will develop students’ research and digital literacy skills. Students will become proficient in performing an advanced search in electronic catalogs, eBook libraries, and databases. The course will include instruction in determining the reliability of a source, copyright and fair use laws, and proper citations. The course will provide methods for enhancing digital presentations, such as implementing surveys, polls, and animation. Students will explore digital citizenship through the consideration of their online privacy, identity, and footprint.
Prerequisite	None

*COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (854)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Computer Applications was designed to build upon the Computer Applications curriculum that was introduced in 7th grade. Students will apply advanced concepts in Microsoft Word, that learn fundamental concepts and develop formulas in Microsoft Excel. Gmail and Google applications will be utilized throughout the course. If time permits, PowerPoint concepts will be covered.
Prerequisite	None

*COMPUTER SCIENCE (855)*
Credit(s)	0.25	Grade(s)	8	Weight	Standard
Course Description	Computer Science is designed to build upon the Computer Science curriculum that was introduced in 7th grade. Students will practice more advanced programming using block based and text coding. Students will be challenged to collaborate with their peers, investigate different problem-solving techniques, and persist through difficult tasks.
Prerequisite	None