Franklin Regional Junior High School

Eighth Grade Middle Core COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 2017-2018

Band 8 (Three (3) trimesters) To participate in eighth grade band, the student should have at least three (3) years prior experience in band, or a least three (3) years of private music lessons on the instrument to be played in the band. Students new to eighth grade band will have to successfully pass an audition by the band director to be placed in the band.

The eighth grade band meets five (5 ) days per week for the entire year. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining the student's performance skills in a large ensemble. The students are exposed to the total band "sound" including blend, articulation, intonation, phrasing, rhythm and dynamics. An additional period from the middle core every seven (7) school days is given to section rehearsals. The band performs in a Fall pep rally, with the marching band in the stands at a varsity football game, a holiday concert, Winter pep rally, Winter concert with the high school band and a Spring concert. As a reward, those students who have been in Band every year while in Middle School will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.

Chorus 8 (Three (3) trimesters) Sing and dance your way to stardom. Participants in Chorus will learn how to sing, dance and perform in a large vocal ensemble. Do you like pop music, songs from musicals? If so, then you will really enjoy this class. . Experience improv, theory, and techniques, all taught in a fun way on selected days. Two major evening performances are required, one in December and one in May. You could also be a member of a Select Group and travel to an amusement park for a competition and then enjoy a day at the park! No previous experience in a vocal ensemble is required. Those students who have been in Chorus every year while in the Middle School or 7 th and 8th grade, will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.

Chorus/Band 8 (Three (3) trimesters) Students who would like to schedule both Chorus and Band may schedule this course. The Middle School schedule is set up in a six- day rotation. Students will report to Band on Days 1, 2, 3 and to Chorus on Days 4, 5, 6. This course meets each day for the entire year. As a reward, those students who have been in Chorus/Band every year while in Middle School will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.

Managing Your Resources (One (1) trimester) Managing Your Resources is for teens striving to manage their lives as a consumer, as a team player, as a leader and as one who makes nutritionally sound decisions. In addition to the traditional classroom, the kitchen lab is the setting where students practice interpersonal skills, time management skills, and various cooking skills. Other topics explored include hospitality, marketing and consumer issues.

Where I Live (One (1) trimester) Where I Live gives students the opportunity to learn about housing issues and interior decorating. The history of housing in America is closely examined as well as the issues of housing across cultures. Students become the interior decorator as they learn ways to give a room a “new” look through color, style and design principles. Students will draw floor plans, select furnishings and accessories and learn to arrange furniture to maximize space and minimize clutter.

Introduction to Microsoft Applications 8 (One (1) trimester) The emphasis of this course is to expose students to the Microsoft Office software applications. Students will create and format documents in Microsoft Word. They will learn to use spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. Slide show presentations will be created with Microsoft Power Point. All work is done on personal computers in the computer lab.

Keyboarding 8 (One (1) trimester) The students will learn to key all letters of the alphabet on the keyboard. Emphasis is placed on maintaining eye contact with the book and not on the student’s fingers (known as touch keying). Students will develop accuracy and speed while performing the work on computers with various software applications. If you took Keyboarding in Grade 6 or Grade 7, you should take Keyboarding Applications or Introduction to Microsoft Applications in Grade 8.

Grade 8 Middle Core Page 1 2017-2018 Keyboarding Applications 8 (One (1) trimester) The student’s keyboarding foundation will be utilized to learn the numbers, symbols and the ten-key number strokes. Emphasis will be placed upon improving accuracy and speed techniques. Students will learn to format letters, memos and reports. All work is performed on computers with various software applications. If you took Keyboarding Applications in Grade 7, you should take Introduction to Microsoft Applications in Grade 8. (Keyboarding is a prerequisite.)

Money, Finance and Me 8 (One (1) trimester) Students will learn how money affects their daily lives. Various real life money applications will be explored including a budget simulation, checking accounts, investing in savings bonds, stocks, mutual funds and individual taxes. A personal financial record- keeping system will be created utilizing basic accounting concepts. Computer technology will be used in several of the money applications.

Multimedia 8 (One (1) trimester) Eighth grade Multimedia students meet five (5) days per week for one trimester. This course provides a variety of opportunities for students to explore the areas of digital photography, video production, music composition and computer animation. Students will utilize technological resources such as digital cameras, video camcorders, computers, as well as various artistic and musical tools and equipment. They will create their own short productions, which involve individual, as well as collaborative group work. Student projects and computer software will be selected based on grade level.

Music 8 One (1) trimester) You will enjoy this all "Hands-On" musical experience. The three basic units of instruction are: "You Can't Stop the Beat" -- This is a World Drumming adventure that you won't want to miss. Learn to play African drums along with other instruments from around the world. See if you "Can Stop the Beat!!!" "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" -- Six weeks of guitar instruction will enable students to learn the basics of playing the guitar. Study note reading and learn how to play Guitar by reading tabs. Learn music from the classics to rock. "Roll Over Beethoven and Tell Tchaikovsky the News" -- This is a Piano Keyboard adventure. Learn to play compositions from well-known composers and to create your own compositions. A keyboard is provided for each student.

Performing Arts 8 (Three (3) trimesters) The eighth grade Performing Arts course is designed to encourage active participation in the arts. Students will combine performance and technical and management skills to create group productions of various kinds. The two (2) components of the course are theater production and video production. The primary objective of the course is to understand the relationship of the arts.

The first semester of the course will be devoted to video production. Basic instruction will be given in media techniques, graphics and set design, scriptwriting, lighting and sound and performance. A daily news show (Primetime) and student-generated videos will be produced. Students will be grouped in production crews that will require them to report to school at 7:45 AM for Primetime broadcasts. Crews will rotate every three weeks throughout the school year.

Theater production will comprise the second semester of the course. Basic instruction will be given in the areas of drama, music and movement, set design and properties, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound and theater management. The culmination of the semester's activities will be a theatrical performance. As part of the rehearsal schedule, students will be required to attend after-school and Saturday rehearsals.

Students electing this course will gain experiences in both technical and performance areas. The interdisciplinary team approach provides opportunities for the students to work individually or to meet in small or large groups. Additional activities may include visitation by guest artists, participation in field trips and the utilization of community resources.

Band/Performing Arts 8 (Three (3) trimesters) Students choosing participation in both Band and Performing Arts must have the recommendation of the band director. Your schedule sheet must be initialed before scheduling.

Chorus/Performing Arts 8 (Three (3) trimesters) Students choosing participation in both Chorus and Performing Arts must have the recommendation of the seventh grade choral director. Your schedule sheet must be initialed before scheduling.

Grade 8 Middle Core Page 2 2017-2018 Physical Education/Health 8 (One (1) trimester, Required for all students) The Middle School physical education program provides our students with the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and behaviors that lead toward overall wellness and participation in lifelong activity. By making a shift away from team sports, the emphasis of the physical education course will be placed on wellness and fitness which allows students to focus on individual improvement in these areas. To assist students in the achievement of personal goals, the physical education program implements many innovative activities such as outdoor activities, creative movement activities, self-guided fitness and cooperative activities. These types of physical activities are just a few examples of how students will be able to explore their interests in the Middle School physical education course.

Students will spend thirty (30) days during their Physical Education class in the Health classroom. The focus of this course is on growth and development. This unit includes a study of the reproductive physiology for both males and females. Discussions of various topics dealing with the physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects of the maturing adolescent will be a part of the class structure.

Principles of Technology 8 (One (1) trimester) Students will use provided materials and engage in the Engineering Design Process to solve various challenges related to the scientific principles of force and motion. This hands-on, minds-on STEM course offers students an opportunity to experiment with and design solutions that address real-world scenarios within the context of Designing and Manufacturing vehicles.

Students will be exploring some or all of the following:

Vehicle Design and Dynamics Newtonian Laws of Motion Manufacturing Process The Essential Value of Force (friction, propulsion, etc.) Testing/Evaluation of Hypotheses Momentum Prototyping/Modeling (incl. 3-D printing) Robotics

School Store 8 (One (1) trimester) Students will have the opportunity to run a small business housed within the Middle School. Students will be able to identify a target market, determine what products to buy, maintain an inventory, price products, market/promote products, run a cash register and complete all of the daily operations of a business. All students will have the opportunity to purchase products such as school supplies and school apparel items from the store.

Strings 8 (Three (3) trimesters) To participate in eighth grade orchestra, the student should have at least three (3) years prior experience in strings or at least three (3) years of private music lessons on the instrument to be played in the orchestra. Students new to eighth grade string orchestra will have to successfully pass an audition by the orchestra director to be placed in the orchestra.

The eighth grade string orchestra meets five (5) days per week for the entire year. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining the student's performance skills in a large ensemble. The students are exposed to the total orchestra "sound" including blend, articulation, intonation, phrasing, rhythm and dynamics. The String Orchestra performs a Winter concert and a Spring concert.

Visual Arts 8 - (One (1) trimester) The goals of the eighth grade visual arts program are: to develop and expand aesthetic perception (art criticism); to develop and expand knowledge and skills in order to express ideas imaginatively (art production); to acquire knowledge of historical and cultural developments which occur as a result of varying needs and aesthetic points of view (art history); and to develop a base for making informed aesthetic judgments (aesthetics) in the areas of Photography, Ceramics, Drawing and Painting.

Grade 8 Middle Core Page 3 2017-2018