PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Communications Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Too busy to read? Can’t find time in your busy schedule to enjoy the latest cool books? Then this is the class for you. Read, talk with others, read, do a project, read, book-talk, read, read, read. This class is for anyone who likes to read and reads independently. In addition to reading, students will participate in classroom activities, which may include literature circles, literary letters, book-talks and book projects.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Reading for fun
Developing awareness of points of view
Analyzing problems in literature
Fine tuning strategies for getting more out of what is read
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Bring a book to class every day
Use class time wisely
Read and write both in class and as homework
Participate in class discussions, activities and projects
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Communication or Fine Arts Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will practice speaking and movement exercises designed to develop skills in voice projection, pronunciation, body movement, delivery, creating characters and skits. The activities may include play reading, rehearsing solo and small group pantomimes, improvisation, role playing and small group scripts. Memorization is required for some projects. Students will also learn basic theater terminology.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Play Reading Role Playing
Improvisations Solo & Group Pantomimes
Oral Interpretation Terminology
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students are expected to participate in daily activities and exercises, concentrate, complete homework and pass tests.
Students must respect other as performers and members of an audience.
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Communication Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Emphasis is on learning the eight parts of speech, identifying the subject and predicate of a sentence and practicing standard usage.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Parts of speech
Subjects and Predicates
Standard Usage
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students will participate in class, complete homework, and pass quizzes and tests.
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7
LENGTH: One Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The mission of language arts instruction is to help ensure that students become life-long, independent and interdependent learners who can use language to communicate, to stimulate the imagination, and to construct meaning. Throughout the year seventh grade language arts students engage in the following language arts processes: reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, visual expression and nonverbal communication. Instruction incorporates language learning, creative composition, writing for learning, and creative dramatics. A variety of activities help students to maintain and strengthen their thinking, speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
District Content Standards:
Reading: Engage in the process of reading
Read for a purpose
Writing: Engage in the process of writing
Write for a purpose
Speaking: Engage in the process of speaking and listening
Speak and listen for a purpose
AREAS OF STUDY:
Reading Strategies/ Literature Vocabulary Writing Strategies Usage, Grammar, Mechanics Speaking, Listening Presenting, Viewing Primary text: Elements of Literature 7
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Show respect for oneself and others Bring required materials to class Perform to the best of ability Use class time wisely Participate in class activities and discussions Turn in homework assignments on time
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL : 8
LENGTH : One Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The mission of language arts instruction is to help ensure that students become life-long, independent and interdependent learners who can use language to communicate, to stimulate the imagination, and to construct meaning. Throughout the year eighth grade language arts students engage in the following language arts processes: reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, visual expression and nonverbal communication. Instruction incorporates language learning, creative composition, writing for learning, and creative dramatics. A variety of activities help students to maintain and strengthen their thinking, speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
District Content Standards:
Reading: Engage in the process of reading
Read for a purpose
Writing: Engage in the process of writing
Write for a purpose
Speaking: Engage in the process of speaking and listening
Speak and listen for a purpose
AREAS OF STUDY:
Reading Strategies/ Literature Vocabulary Writing Strategies Usage, Grammar, Mechanics Speaking, Listening Presenting, Viewing Primary text: Elements of Literature 8
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Show respect for oneself and others Bring required materials to class Perform to the best of ability Use class time wisely Participate in class activities and discussions Turn in homework assignments on time
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL : 7
LENGTH: All Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will engage in the reading process focusing on using strategies to assist them as they encounter difficult texts, both fiction and non-fiction. Reading material will be drawn from subject area textbooks as well as resources from the school media center. The goal of this course is to help students learn strategies to become engaged, fluent and competent readers of a variety of texts that are encountered in their personal and academic lives.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Thinking strategies used before, during and after reading
Text structures/features for fiction
Text structures/features for non-fiction (expository text)
Vocabulary development
Students will learn how to focus their attention, manage distractions and organize their time in order to become more effective readers.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Bring a book to class every day
Use class time wisely
Read and write both in class and as homework
Participate in class discussions, activities and projects
PREREQUISITE: Teacher Recommendation
GRADE LEVEL :
LENGTH: One year
CATEGORY: Required Fulfills Reading 7 requirement
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Literacy 7A is designed to serve students who would benefit from more individualized instruction in reading strategies. Students may elect to take the class or be placed in the class based on assessment data. The goal of the course is to raise students’ reading levels and the focus will be on the reading process rather than specific content or texts. The class will practice the eight reading strategies supported throughout the district in both whole and small group settings. The class size is limited and will meet for the entire school year.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Students will use a variety of texts at their own reading level with instruction based on comprehension, word study, vocabulary and fluency.
The emphasis will be placed on improving students’ individual reading levels.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students will be responsible for keeping a portfolio of their work.
Students will meet with the teacher to demonstrate skills in reading.
Students will be accountable for completing the work in the classroom setting and practicing the reading strategies in all other subject areas.
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Communication Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Media Workshop introduces students to persuasion techniques used by various media, as well as to the fundamentals of television and print production. Students are encouraged to become more thoughtful listeners, viewers, mass print readers, and consumers. Students may experiment with commercials, interviews, news broadcasts, skits and advertising. They may also view selected television programs and write, act in, produce and present a variety of projects. In addition to large projects, students will also complete smaller assignments and quizzes.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Persuasion Techniques Newspaper
Advertising Magazine
Stereotyping Television
Polls/Surveys
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Participate in large and small group situations
Present projects
Produce magazine and newspaper articles
Complete all readings, homework and projects on time
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Communication Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides opportunities for students to experiment with many different kinds of writing, both public writing and personal writing. Students write about their opinions, feelings and experiences, as well as experiment with fictional situations and poetic forms.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Anecdotes Poems
Descriptive writing Reporting
Interviewing Observations
Journals Stories
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students will come each day with recommended materials
Students will write every day and must complete all assignments
Students will respond to other student's writings in a positive and helpful way