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Course NameCourse LengthCourse Description
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Language Arts Grade 8Year LongLanguage Arts Grade 8 is a course based on the English/Language Arts Indiana Academic Standards along with the integration of the Indiana Common Core Standards. This course involves four common, thematic units over the course of the year: Gadgets and Glitches, Places We Call Home, Finding Your Path, and Fight For Freedom.Throughout the common units, students will have a variety of instruction emphasizing reading of fiction and nonfiction texts; writing narratives, persuasive essays, as well as nonfiction text dependent essays. Students will also work on speaking, listening, and presenting skills. Students learn about and conduct research throughout the year.** Honor level classes are offered by recommendation only.
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Honors Language Arts Grade 8Year LongLanguage Arts Grade 8 is a course based on the English/Language Arts Indiana Academic Standards along with the integration of the Indiana Common Core Standards. This course involves four common, thematic units over the course of the year: Gadgets and Glitches, Places We Call Home, Finding Your Path, and Fight For Freedom.Throughout the common units, students will have a variety of instruction emphasizing reading of fiction and nonfiction texts; writing narratives, persuasive essays, as well as nonfiction text dependent essays. Students will also work on speaking, listening, and presenting skills. Students learn about and conduct research throughout the year. Honors students will also read the following novels: Farenheit 451, Something In Between, The Other Wes Moore, and Copper Sun.** Honor level classes are offered by recommendation only.
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Mathematics Grade 8Year LongMathematics Grade 8 will continue a more formalized understanding of mathematics that occurs at the high school level that began in grade 7. Students extend their understanding of rational numbers to develop an understanding of irrational numbers, connect proportional reasoning to lines and linear functions, and extend their understanding of geometry, statistics and probability. As in all mathematics courses, the mathematical process standards are emphasized to help students reason, apply, and connect the mathematical content they are learning.
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Algebra I-1-2 Grade 8Year LongStudents will earn two high school credits for successfully completing this course. Algebra I provides a formal development of the algebraic skills and concepts necessary for students who will take other advanced college-preparatory courses. In particular, the instructional program in this course provides for the use of algebraic skills in a wide range of problem-solving situations. The concepts of function is emphasized throughout the course. Topics include: 1. exponents and exponnetial funtions 2. polynomials and factoring 3. quadratic equations and functions 4. radical expressions and equations.
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Science Grade 8Year LongStudents in eighth grade will use the scientific method and the engineering design process to study four main themes in science: chemistry, enviromental science, genetics, and evolution. All of these topics are explored using real-life phenomenon so that students connect science to their daily lives and the world around them. In the chemistry unit, students will use the chemistry of plastics to understand how atoms interact to form different properties. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of physical and chemical changes by engaging in may experiments related to stage effects. In our environmental science unit, students will understand the impact their daily choices have on the world around them. We will delve into climate change by analyzing data that supports it and discuss solutions for this enormous problem. Finally, students will understand why and how organisms inherit different features. This will lead us into understand that organisms evolve over time in order to survive.
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Biology I-1-2 Grade 8Year LongStudents will earn two high school credits for successfully completing this course. Biology I involves a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with their environment through laboratory and field investigations. Functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems within various species of living organisms and their roles and interdependencies within ecosystems and the biosphere are covered. The history of biological knowledge and various career opportunities related to biology are discussed.
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Social Studies Grade 8Year LongStudents will focus on United States history, beginning with a brief review of early history, including native indegenous groups, the Revolution and Founding Era, and the principles of the United States and Indiana constitutions, as well as other founding documents and their applications to subsequent periods of national history and to civic and political life. Students then study national development, westward expansion, social reform movements, U.S. Slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students examine major themes, issues, events, movements, and figures in United States history through the Reconstruction Period (1877) and explore relationships to modern issues and current events. Students will participate in learning activities that will engage them with significant ideas to encourage them to make connections with what they are learning and their prior knowledge and current issues, lead them to thinking critically and creatively about what they are learning, and apply what they are learning to authentic situations .
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Visual Arts Grade 8SemesterVisual art students will develop their creative thinking and artistic skills by applying various techniques and a wide variety of media to demonstrate their knowledge of the historical and cultural diversity of the arts. We will work with big ideas such as identity, heroes, dreams/nightmares, culture, family, belonging, and more.
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AVID Grade 8Year LongAVID is a course designed to provide academic support and structure for students who have a desire to attend a four-year college/university and who may be a first generation college student. AVID curriculum includes: Cornell note-taking, study skills, tutoring sessions, writing instruction, organizational skills, guest speakers, and college visits. **Students must go through a selection process during their 7th grade year to take AVID as an eighth grader. Once selected, students have the option to continue in the program throughout high school.
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P.E. / Health Grade 89 weeks eachStudents in physical education refine complex motor skills and competencies in individual and team sports, as well as regular strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Students develop plans to enhance their own health –related physical fitness and participate in vigorous activities linked to their skills and level of fitness. Health is taught in a classroom in which body systems, community health/injury prevention, nutrition and substances will be taught.
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Exploring Music Grade 8SemesterExploring Music is a course is designed to enable students to respond to music and integrate music study into other subject areas. Activities and experiences in music are designed to develop students’ appreciation of music as an art form and to understand music as it relates to history, culture, and the community.
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Band Grade 8Year Long**Students must have taken band in the 7th Grade. 8th Grade band provides students the opportunity to advance their performance skills and musical knowledge on the instrument that they chose to play in 7th grade band. Solo and ensemble opportunities are designed for students to help develop basic musicianship including tone production, technical skills and intonation. Classroom activities include improvising, reading, rehearsing and sight reading music to be performed at various concerts and performance opportunities throughout the school year. *Students will be expected to secure instrument and to participate in performances outside of the school day for a performance grade. Students will have the opportunity to participate in Jazz Band. The Jazz Band meets during IMPACT and is an opportunity to perform music at a higher level.
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Chorus Grade 8Year LongChoir provides students the opportunity to sing alone or with others. Students will improve quality tone production, technical skills, breathing technique, intonation, sight reading skills, and stage presence. Students will learn how to read, write and perform music at a higher level. Students will analyze and evaluate their own performances along with performances by other groups. *Students will be expected to participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day for a performance grade. Students will also have an opportunity to audition for Show Choir. This is an advanced group that allows students to perform choreograghed music at a higher level. This group meets two days a week before the start of school. These students will also be expected to perform outside the hours of the school day.
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Computer Foundations for the Digital Age Grade 8SemesterStudents will earn a high school credit for successfully completing this course. Computers and the internet have revolutionized the way we access and disseminate information. As technology continues to change at an ever-increasing pace, the need for students to gain a foundational understanding of computer science is clear. Computing Foundations for a Digital Age is designed to introduce students to five major topics within computer science including computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and planning, and impacts of computing. The course introduces foundational computing concepts while exploring current events and building critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and other important skills that are invaluable for life in a global and technologically advancing society.
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Orchestra Grade 8Year Long** Students must have taken Orchestra in 7th grade. Orchestra provides students the opportunity to learn to play a string instrument. Solo and ensemble activities are designed for students to develop basic musicianship including tone production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities include improvising, reading, composing and sight reading music. *Students will be expected to obtain an instrument, music department uniform, and participate in performances outside of the school day for a performance grade.
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Project Lead the Way-Automation and Robotics Grade 8SemesterStudents trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as pull toys, traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.
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Project Lead the Way-Medical Detectives Grade 8SemesterStudents play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, dissect a sheep brain, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
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Prep CC Grade 8SemesterStudents will earn a high school credit for successfully completing this course. Preparing for College and Careers addresses the knowledge, skills, and behaviors all students need to be prepared for success in college, career, and life. The focus of the course is the impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s possibilities.
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World Language-- FrenchYear LongStudent will earn two high school credits for successfully completing this course. Level I language courses provide instruction enabling students to discuss the many reasons for learning a language and to develop an understanding of the people who speak them. Students are able to apply effective strategies for language learning and show a willingness to experience various aspects of the culture. This level of instruction introduces students to basic oral expression, vocabulary, grammar and verb conjugations. Students are also introduced to the geography and culture of the language of study. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are emphasized.
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World Language-- SpanishYear LongStudent will earn two high school credits for successfully completing this course. Level I language courses provide instruction enabling students to discuss the many reasons for learning a language and to develop an understanding of the people who speak them. Students are able to apply effective strategies for language learning and show a willingness to experience various aspects of the culture. This level of instruction introduces students to basic oral expression, vocabulary, grammar and verb conjugations. Students are also introduced to the geography and culture of the language of study. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are emphasized.
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