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CURTIS CORNER MIDDLE SCHOOL 2015-2016 GRADE 8 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
^ = Prerequisite Required
ART
Art 1 – Introduction to Middle School Art - .25 credits (for students who did not take Art in grade 7)
Art 1 is an introductory level class focused on providing all students with a strong base foundation in art. Creativity will
be emphasized in each project as students learn the basics of drawing, using watercolor paint and color theory. Projects
are hands-on and give students the opportunity to experience a variety of media. Class meets every other day for one
semester.
^ Art 2 – Sculpture and Design - .25 credits (students must have taken Art in grade 7)
Sculpture and design are emphasized in Art 2. Students learn to plan, create and communicate an intended visual
message through sculptures, acrylic paintings and design work. Students learn to analyze and reflect upon art history
examples. Hands-on projects include plast’rcraft, acrylic paint, scratch boards, and monoprints. Class meets every other
day for one semester.
Digital Art 1 - .25 credits
Digital Art 1 will provide students the opportunity to express and create through the use of technology. Projects will
focus on visual communications, creativity, design elements and principles, integrating art with technology. Students
will explore how digital images can be manipulated to express intended meaning. Students will also explore the
relationship between art and technology as we exist in an increasing complex visual digital world. Hands-on projects will
include digital photography, Photoshop and an introduction to graphic design. Class meets every other day for one
semester.
^ Digital Art 2 - .25 credits (students must have taken Digital Art 1)
Digital Art 2 will expand upon the concepts learned in Digital Art 1. Students will further their skills in communicating
visually using a variety of technology. Hands-on projects will include a focus in digital photography, Photoshop, and
animation. Class meets every other day for one semester.
MUSIC
Music Exploration - .25 credits
Music Exploration is open to all students interested in learning more about music in a hands-on, interactive classroom
setting. This classroom music course includes opportunities in drum circle, ukulele, music technology, composition,
music history and listening. It utilizes a wide variety of music that is designed to develop confidence in musical
communication. Class meets every other day for one semester.
Chorus 8 - .50 credits
Chorus classes are open to all students at Curtis Corner Middle School. Students will focus on healthy vocal technique,
fundamentals of music, theory, history, sight-singing, part singing and the rehearsal of music in unison and in parts. We
will study a wide variety of music covering different time periods, genres and languages. There are 2 required, evening
performances. Class meets every other day for a full year.
Band 8 - .50 credits
Band is intended for students who have had prior experience on the instrument they wish to play unless the student is
moving to a larger instrument. Class meets every other day for a full year during school hours in smaller sections.
Two evening concerts are required and are presented in the fall and spring.
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(MUSIC – CONTINUED)
Band 8 (“Every day Band”) - 1.00 credit
“Every day Band” is intended for students who have had prior experience on the instrument they wish to play unless the
student is moving to a larger instrument. Class meets every day for a full year during school hours in smaller
sections. Two evening concerts are required and are presented in the fall and spring.
Orchestra 8 - .50 credits
Orchestra is offered to students who have prior experience with violin, viola, cello and bass. Orchestra class covers the
fundamentals of music, theory, history, technique and pedagogy while performing on an orchestral instrument. There
are two evening concerts presented: Winter & Spring. Class meets every other day for a full year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH
Fitness 8 - .25 credits
Students in 8th grade Fitness will:
 Learn about body composition and nutrition, aerobics, sports, recreation, flexibility, and muscle fitness, all with
a focus on planning for active living
 Assess their own fitness levels and develop plans for improvement using short- and long-term goals
 Develop skills that help them build self-esteem, communicate effectively, deal with peer pressure, and handle
other social concerns
 Learn how their bodies work so they can move more effectively and efficiently
Class meets every other day for one semester.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Applied Literature 8 - .25 credits
The Applied Literature writing course is a semester long Unified Arts course dedicated to improving students' approach
to research-based writing through a writer's workshop model. This language arts class is designed to increase students'
communication skills through writing, reading, and the study of the English language. As a result of this class, students
will master the following writing skills:
• Develop an appropriate voice in writing based on audience and purpose
• Form supported written arguments
• Use an organizational structure appropriate to the purpose, audience, and context
• Formulate an analysis of the topic that extends beyond a summary
Value revision as an essential component of the writing process. Class meets every other day for one semester.
COMPUTER STUDIES
Computer Literacy 1 - .25 credits
Students are introduced to a curriculum based on the National Education Technology Standards. Topics include:


The Windows environment - Students learn about and utilize Microsoft Windows 7 Professional.
Network Navigation - Students learn to access and utilize school network resources such as shared printers,
folders and drives, as well as their own network storage.
 Keyboarding – students are introduced to the QWERTY keyboarding system.
 Common Application Programs – MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, Excel) and Photoshop.
Class meets every other day for one semester.
2
(COMPUTER STUDIES – CONTINUED)
^ Computer Literacy 2 - .25 credits (students must have taken Computer Literacy in grade 7)
Students are introduced to a curriculum based on the utilization of 21st Century Net based tools. Topics include:
 Email – How to get the most out Gmail
 Net Applications – Google Suite and other useful apps
 Social Media – best practices, responsibility and safety
 Forums- finding information
Class meets every other day for one semester.
^ Coding 1 - .25 credits (students must have taken Computer Literacy 1)
Students are introduced to coding in an exploratory course designed to familiarize them with basic concepts and
practices of coding. Students use logic and problem solving to write programs using the MIT created program, Scratch.
Class meets every other day for one semester.
^ Coding 2 - .25 credits (students must have taken Computer Literacy and Introduction to Coding in grade 7)
Students build on the basics they have learned in Coding 1 by choosing to learn either a web based coding language such
as HTML, CSS and JavaScript or an Object Orientated Programing language such as Java.
Students electing to learn a web language will utilize the web site Codecademy to learn HTML, CSS and possibly
Javascript.
Students electing to learn the Object Orientated Programming Language, Java, will utilize the Greenfoot platform.
Class meets every other day for one semester.
WORLD LANGUAGES
French 1 - 1.00 credit
This course begins the development of the skills necessary to communicate in French, initiates cultural awareness,
explores connections with other disciplines, compares Francophone and American culture, and encourages use of
French beyond the classroom. Class meets every day for a full year.
Spanish 1 - 1.00 credit
This course begins the development of the skills necessary to communicate in Spanish, initiates cultural awareness,
explores connections with other disciplines, compares Hispanic and American culture, and encourages use of Spanish
beyond the classroom. Class meets every day for a full year.
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