8TH GRADE COURSES

Language Arts

English

1 year

Most students in eighth grade enroll in regular eighth-grade

English.

Pre-Advanced Placement English

1 year

Students in 8th grade English have an opportunity to take Pre-Advanced Placement English by meeting established prerequisites: grades, teacher recommendation, and standardized test scores.

Reading/Digital Literature--CJHS, GJHS

1 or 2 Semesters

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation, standardized test scores

This course is designed to increase students’ proficiency in all aspects of reading: vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Students will learn to visualize, ask questions, and activate prior knowledge; they will also learn to make predictions, connections, and inferences in order to increase comprehension. Attention will also be given to reader response as a tool for written expression. This class will be a required elective for some students.

English/Reading--SW

2 Semesters

Prerequisite:  Teacher recommendation

Participants are selected using Benchmark and DRA scores.  This class is taught from a literary perspective.  The students learn to explore and understand the English language through self-selected novels.  It focuses on learning strategies needed to become better readers.  Writing and spelling are infused into the curriculum in the form of reader response journals, essays, and letters.

8th Grade U. S. History

1 year

Students begin their study with the early explorers of America and continue through the study of American History up to and including the Civil War.

Pre-Advanced Placement U.S. History - 1 Year

1 year

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendations, test scores

This course will include reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and  the writing process. Extra time is required for research  and study.

Pre-Algebra

1 year

All eighth grade students are enrolled in Pre-Algebra unless

they had Pre-Algebra in the 7th grade.

Algebra I

1 year

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation, and successful completion of Pre-Algebra.

Students will be required to take an End of Course Algebra exam.

Eighth-grade students enrolled in Algebra I will receive high school credit that applies toward graduation.  However, students who begin Algebra I in the Eighth Grade will be required to complete five (5) units of math by end of their senior year. Seventh grade students who meet specific criteria will be selected to take Algebra 1.

Geometry

1 year

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation, and successful completion of Algebra I

Students will be required to take an End of Course Geometry exam.

Eighth grade students enrolled in Geometry will receive high school-credit that applies toward graduation. However, students who are enrolled in Geometry will ge required to complete six (6) units of math by the end of their senior year.

Real Time Math--SW, G

Math Lab--C

1 Semester

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation and test scores.

Required elective replacement that focuses on Benchmark test preparation and performance.

Eighth Grade Exploratory Science

1 year

Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion

1 Semester

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Emphasis is primarily on individual progress.

Intermediate Band--8, 9

Semester 1

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Emphasis is on individual student progress through the study of advanced rhythmical and technical instrumental music methods. The band performs at some home football games, pep rallies, Christmas concert, and All Region auditions.

Symphonic Band / Concert Band--8, 9

Semester 2

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Band is primarily a comprehensive course of study in instrumental music geared toward the 2nd and 3rd year player.

Varsity Women’s Chorus

1 year

This class is open to any girl interested in singing. No choral experience is required.

Concert Men’s Chorus - 8, 9

1 year

This group is selected by audition only.  No previous choir experience is required.

Concert Women’s Chorus - 8, 9

1 year

This group is selected by auditions only. Tryouts are held each spring and 40-50 girls are selected. No choir experience is required.

Advanced Men’s Chorus - 8,9

1 year

This group is selected by auditions only. Tryouts are held each spring, and 50 boys are selected. Choir experience is preferred.

Advanced Women’s Chorus - 8, 9

1 year

Selected by audition only.  Tryouts are held each year, and the best 35-40 girls are selected.  Choir experience is required.

8th Grade Art

1 semester

This course allows interested students an opportunity to further develop their skills and understanding in art. Students learn about composition and expression in art as they experience a variety of new genres.

Family and Consumer Science

Family to Work Connections

1 Semester

Teaches application of practical skills in consumer economics, family and personal relationships, food preparation and nutrition, clothing care and sewing, and child development. Many projects are interrelated to other curriculum areas, and the use of current technology is stressed. Purchase of fabric may be required.

1 semester

Fee Required

Keyboarding is for the student who does not know how to type. Students learn touch typing with emphasis on good technique, speed, accuracy and proofreading. Students learn to produce simple documents such as reports, letters, and memos. It is a prerequisite for all computer classes. Only students who have never had Keyboarding should enroll in Keyboarding.

Keyboarding Connections

1 semester

Prerequisite: Keyboarding Introduction

Fee Required

While improving keyboarding skills, students will be able to use their prior knowledge from Keyboarding to connect to future aspects of their lives.  They will improve their writing and literacy skills for the business world by composing and typing business documents such as letters and memos.  They will also connect to future education by improving their skills in composing and typing reports.  Students will be introduced to some basic word processing skills.  This class is designed to help prepare students for the state benchmark test as well as the business world.  They will be composing their own responses to written work and learn to organize their thoughts by using graphic organizers.

Computer Applications I

1 semester

Prerequisite:  A or B in Keyboarding and are enrolling in Pre-Advanced English and/or Algebra I

Software: Office 2003 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Fee Required

In this course, students learn the fundamental word processing skills necessary to produce simple documents. Students create and edit documents of various types using bullets, numbered lists, special characters, borders and shading, special fonts, and paragraph and line formatting. Internet searching and research skills are heavily stressed in this course to help prepare him/her for other classes. He/she learns to create PowerPoint presentations and simple spreadsheets that use basic formulas and functions.  All students should take this course to have the needed technology skills to do well in high school.   (Students who take Keyboarding Connections will take this course in the ninth grade.)

EITE I (Exploratory Industrial Technology Ed.)--C, SW

1 Semester

This course gives students an opportunity to experiment with equipment and learn career paths in four (4) core areas: transportation, manufacturing, construction, and communication.

EITE I (Exploratory Industrial Technology Ed.)--G

1 Semester

EITE I is a Technology Education course that provides the basic knowledge of being Technology Literate. Students will learn what it takes to become proficient in the technological society. With the use of computers, students will learn various technologies varying from Rocketry and Space to Audio Broadcasting, while incorporating Math, Science, and English.

Career Orientation

1 semester

Recommended for all 8th grade students

This is a hands-on, activity-based, new and improved career exploration course that provides students the opportunity to explore the world of work in relation to their own interests and abilities. Students are provided the opportunity to develop successful employability skills such as decision making, job application, interviewing, and job shadowing. Business leaders, community leaders and parents are encouraged to participate as guest speakers by sharing their experiences and expertise in the work force. Career Orientation is the mainstay for the Career Action Plan developed for students as they enter their high school years.

Athletics Boys /Girls - 8, 9

1 year

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Athletics is a full year course, where students will compete on an inter-school basis. The following sports are offered at Southwest, Central, and George Junior High: football, basketball, track, gymnastics, volleyball, and cross country. Students must undergo physical examinations yearly. Students must also be willing to spend extra time after school on a daily basis to practice. Some practices will also be scheduled when school is not in session. Football practice begins in the summer months before the start of school. Students are subject to periodic drug testing as required by Springdale School Board.

Physical Education - Boys/Girls - 8, 9

1 or 2 semesters

Physical education allows students to participate in team building activities and learn the importance of physical fitness. Appropriate clothing is required. Activities include: softball, soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and physical fitness. Students are required to purchase their own shoes, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and shorts to participate.

Dance Team/Cheerleading - 8, 9

1 year

Prerequisite: Chosen by tryouts in preceding spring semester

A physical is required prior to tryouts.

This course allows students to participate in a team sport while experiencing routine physical exercise. Appropriate clothing is required. Activities include: team building activities, learning multiple routines for performance purposes, weekly physical conditioning, and weekly skill enhancement. Students are required to purchase their own clothing to participate. Students are subject to periodic drug testing as required by Springdale School Board Policy.

Yearbook - 8, 9

Prerequisites: B average, S in conduct, application submitted, and English or computer teacher recommendation. (1 semester of keyboarding helpful)

Students learn basic layout design, elements of a layout, and practical application to create and complete the book.

8th Grade Library Science--G & SW

1 or 2 Semesters

Students enrolled in Library Science assist the media specialist in  the routine operation of the library.

Office Aide, Counselor Aide, Teachers Aide

1 Semester

A limited number of 8th grade students are selected at random to assist teachers, counselors, administration and office personnel.

Spanish I

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite: A or B in English

Eighth grade students enrolled in Spanish I will receive high school credit that applies toward graduation.

It is HIGHLY recommended that college-bound students be enrolled in a foreign language through their senior year.  Therefore, junior high students who enroll in this course should plan to complete the upper sequence of Spanish classes (III, IV, Advanced Placement, etc.).

Spanish I introduces the sound system, basic syntax, basic vocabulary, and elementary inflectional endings of general American Spanish. These elements are used in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Hispanic cultural heritage is emphasized with special attention given to Hispanic influences in the United States.

French I

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite: A or B in English

The four communication skills, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, are emphasized through various techniques. Cultural aspects of the French-speaking world are included.

Arkansas History

1 semester

*Students will not receive high school credit for this course.

Arkansas History is a survey course that examines the events that occurred since 1865.  The curriculum builds upon the political, social, economic, geographic and environmental history.